:: Volume 16, Issue 3 (7-2018) ::
Int J Radiat Res 2018, 16(3): 351-362 Back to browse issues page
Evaluation of radiological hazards due to natural radioactivity in bituminous soils from tar-sand belt of southwest Nigeria using HpGe-Detector
M.O. Isinkaye , N.N. Jibiri , S.I. Bamidele , L.A. Najam
Department of Physics, Radiation, Health and Environmental Physics Group, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria , matthewisinkaye@eksu.edu.ng
Abstract:   (5712 Views)
Background: Oil exploration is known to have great impact on the environment due the presence of natural radionuclides in crude oil and bitumen. Materials and Methods: In this study, high purity germanium (HpGe) detector was used to determine the activity concentrations of 40K, 226Ra and 232Th in bituminous soil and viscous bitumen samples collected from 5 different locations within the tar-sand belt of southwest Nigeria. Soil samples were collected also from a non tar-sand area to serve as control.  Results: The average concentrations of 40K, 226Ra and 232Th in the bituminous-soil samples were 139.32, 28.21 and 27.13 Bq kg-1, respectively for Agbabu, 16.09, 18.71 and 17.99 Bq kg-1, respectively for Ilubirin, 33.98, 38.90 and 29.82 Bq kg-1, respectively for Iju Oke, 35.01, 30.06 and 21.52 Bq kg-1, respectively for Ode Aye, 7.99, 4.77 and 4.08 Bq kg-1, respectively for Ode Irele. Their respective values were 306.82, 23.52 and 23.14 Bq kg-1 for the non bituminous-soil. The natural radioactivity levels of 40K, 226Ra and 232Th in the viscous bitumen samples ranged from  below detection level (BDL)-30.74, 2.02-36.33 and 3.38-33.71 Bq kg-1, respectively. The estimated gamma dose rate was higher in the non-bituminous soil than that of bituminous soil. Conclusion: All the radiation hazard indices estimated in this study are lower than the acceptable limits. It can therefore be concluded that the soil and bitumen samples are safe for use as materials for building and road constructions.
Keywords: Natural radioactivity, radiation hazards, bitumen, tar-sand, HpGe detector.
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Type of Study: Original Research | Subject: Radiation Biology


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Volume 16, Issue 3 (7-2018) Back to browse issues page