Measurement of natural radioactivity in rainwater samples collected from different rooftops and sources in Akure, Nigeria. Issue 2 (2nd April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ibikunle, S. B.; Ajayi, O. S.; Arogunjo, A. M.; Omoboyeje, O. V.
• Is Part Of: Environmental forensics. Volume 17:Issue 2(2016)
• Page Start: 136
• Page End: 143
• Publication Date: 2016-04-02
• Subjects: Natural radioactivity -- rainwater -- soil -- rooftops; Environmental forensics -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Measurement -- Periodicals; Environmental law -- Periodicals; Enquêtes environnementales -- Périodiques; 363.25945
• DOI: 10.1080/15275922.2016.1163622
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1527-5922

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The activity concentrations of some natural radionuclides in rainwater samples collected from four commonly used rooftop types, collected directly from the air and from deposit in potholes, were determined using a gamma ray spectrometer NaI (Tl) detector. A total of seven samples was collected; six rainwater samples from the channels aforementioned and one soil sample from the pothole. Mean activity concentrations of 35.11 ± 8.46, 6.97 ± 2.38, and 5.36 ± 2.29 Bq/L were recorded for 40 K, 238 U, and 232 Th respectively in the rainwater samples, and they have values of 230.22 ± 47.65, 32.11 ± 9.57, and 20.18 ± 5.27 Bq/kg respectively in the soil sample. The projected collective health risk for different age groups of the estimated Nigerian population (183, 390, 767 people) from the ingestion of rainwater ranges between 63 and 864 persons. The values of other radiological indices from the collected soil sample suggest that the chances of radiological hazard to the health of the inhabitants from soil are generally low.