Measurement of ²³⁸U,²³²Th and ⁴⁰K in boreholes at Gosa and Lugbe, Abuja, north central Nigeria

Radiat Prot Dosimetry. 2013 Dec;157(2):271-7. doi: 10.1093/rpd/nct140. Epub 2013 Jun 10.

Abstract

The purpose of this project is to evaluate the suitability of different sites as locations for obtaining underground water for consumption. The analysis of ²³⁸U, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K from rock samples from each layer of borehole at a depth of ∼50 m at Site A borehole, S3L1-S3L6 in Gosa and 40 m at Site B borehole, S4L1-S4L5 in Lugbe, Abuja, north central Nigeria is presented. The gamma-ray spectrometry was carried out using a high-purity germanium detector coupled to a computer-based high-resolution multichannel analyzer. The activity concentrations at Site A borehole for ²³⁸U have a mean value of 26 ± 3, ranging from 23 ± 2 to 30 ± 3 Bq kg⁻¹, ²³²Th a mean value of 63 ± 5, ranging from 48 ± 4 to 76 ± 6 Bq kg⁻¹ and ⁴⁰K a mean value of 573 ± 72, ranging from 437 ± 56 to 821 ± 60 Bq kg⁻¹. The activity concentrations at Site B borehole for ²³⁸U have a mean value of 20 ± 2, ranging from 16 ± 2 to 23 ± 2 Bq kg⁻¹, ²³²Th a mean value of 46 ± 4, ranging from 43 ± 4 to 49 ± 4 Bq kg⁻¹, ⁴⁰K a mean value of 915 ± 116 and ranging from 817 ± 103 Bq kg⁻¹ to 1011 ± 128 Bq kg⁻¹. It is noted that the higher activity concentrations of ²³²Th and ²³⁸U are found in Site A at Gosa. Site B has lower radioactivity, and it is recommended that both sites are suitable for underground water consumption.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Background Radiation*
  • Germanium
  • Humans
  • Nigeria
  • Potassium Radioisotopes / analysis*
  • Radiation Monitoring*
  • Soil Pollutants, Radioactive / analysis*
  • Spectrometry, Gamma
  • Thorium / analysis*
  • Uranium / analysis*

Substances

  • Potassium Radioisotopes
  • Soil Pollutants, Radioactive
  • Germanium
  • Uranium
  • Thorium