Evaluation of Radionuclide Concentration from Soil and Water Samples Collected from Around a Solid Waste Dumpsite

Authors: Uyigue L, Achadu MA

DOI Info: N/A

ABSTRACT

This paper is focused on the re-evaluation of the radiological status of Eliozu dumpsite located near Port Harcourt, for which there exist a report for a previous study in 2011. Therefore, soil and groundwater samples were collected from short distances away from the dumpsite, and were subjected to radiological measurements using method of gamma-ray spectroscopy. From the results obtained, Potassium(K-40), Uranium(U-238) and Thorium (Th-232) were identified as the primary radionuclides. The mean activity concentrations of these radionuclides (K-40, U-238 and Th-232) in the soil samples were 619.77±5.74, 35.64±2.98 and 71.47±14.68 Bq/kg respectively, while that for the groundwater samples also showed: 27.50±1.93, 9.02±2.54 and 6.51±1.23 Bq/l respectively. The absorbed and equivalent dose rates were also estimated for human habitat around the dumpsite. The measured activity concentrations of radionuclides in the soil and groundwater samples for this present study was compared with the result of a previous study for the same dumpsite. It was revealed that there was significant increase in the radiological parameters. Although, the rate of radionuclide migration from soils around the dumpsite to the groundwater aquifer is slow, but there are strong indications that the dumpsite still receives radiologically contaminated solid wastes. Equivalent dose rates for radiation exposure in the community were within the WHO permissible limit.

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