Radiological dose assessments of fish samples due to the presence of NORMs at oil-rich areas of South Africa. Issue 1 (3rd April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ilori, Abiola Olawale; Chetty, Naven; Adeleye, Bamise
• Is Part Of: Environmental forensics. Volume 22:Issue 1/2(2021)
• Page Start: 28
• Page End: 36
• Publication Date: 2021-04-03
• Subjects: Dose assessments -- fish samples -- NORMs -- oil -- radioactivity; Environmental forensics -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Measurement -- Periodicals; Environmental law -- Periodicals; Enquêtes environnementales -- Périodiques; 363.25945
• DOI: 10.1080/15275922.2020.1806150
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1527-5922

Abstract

Abstract: This study was conducted to estimate natural radionuclide contents in 24 fish samples collected from rivers of South Africa's oil-rich and non-oil-rich areas. Also, the radiological analysis was performed to assess the effect of radiation on the population that consumed these fish. A high-resolution Hyper Pure Germanium (HPGe) detector was used to conduct the gamma-ray measurements. The mean activity concentrations for the selected fish samples from the examined areas for 238 U, 232 Th, and 40 K ranged from 8.60 ± 2.97, 4.26 ± 1.18, and 105.66 ± 47.77 Bq . kg − 1 for the Bree; 8.06 ± 3.64, 4.84 ± 2.00, and 126.88 ± 47.30 Bq . kg − 1 for Klein-Brak; 8.30 ± 3.64, 3.48 ± 1.44, and 90.42 ± 29.35 Bq . kg − 1 for Bakens; and 6.48 ± 2.05, 5.26 ± 1.79, and 78.38 ± 20.55 Bq . kg − 1 for uMngeni rivers. The annual effective ingestion dose ranged from 0.050 mSv . y − 1 ( Argyrosomus japonicus ) to 0.100 mSv . y − 1 ( Lichia amia ) for the Bree; 0.033 mSv . y − 1 ( Pomadasys commersonnii ) to 0.118 mSv . y − 1 ( Pomatomus saltatrix ) for Klein-Brak; 0.034 mSv . y − 1 ( Enteromius pallidus ) to 0.090 mSv . y − 1 ( Anguilla marmorata ) for Bakens; and 0.046 mSv . y − 1 ( A. marmorata ) to 0.082 mSv . y − 1 ( Hypseleotris cyprinoides ) for uMngeni river, respectively. Also, the estimated values for the annual equivalent dose of gonads, bone marrow, and bone surface cells due to ingestion of fish samples ranged from 58.77 to 127.27 mSv . y − 1 for Bree; 42.14 to 125.94 mSv . y − 1 for Klein-Brak; 39.34 to 84.97 mSv . y − 1 for Bakens; and 54.54 to 71.97 mSv . y − 1 for uMngeni rivers (control), respectively. The activity concentrations and radiological dose estimates reported for the studied areas were within the values recommended by the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation. Hence, the result of the activity concentrations in the selected fish samples at the time of this study does not pose a radiological risk. The results could also be used as reference data for radioactivity pollution in the study area.