The oil and gas rich Niger Delta region of Nigeria is characterized by environmental degradation leading to environmental pollution from oil and gas activities. This study examined the gross α and β activity in thirty (river/stream, well and tap) water samples collected from ten oil fields in the Western Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The counting system employed in this analysis is the Gas-flow proportional counter {Eurisys Measure IN20 low-background multiple (eight) channel counter}. Gross alpha activity concentration range from 0.01±0.002 to 0.7±0.01 (0.15±0.003) Bql-1 , 0.01±0.003 to 0.5±0.01 (0.1±0.003)Bql-1 and 0.02±0.001 to 35.1±1.1 (4.1±0.1) Bql-1 while beta activity concentration ranged from 1.1±0.04 to 13.2±0.1 (6.0±0.1) Bql-1 , 0.7±0.1 to 54.7±1.3 (8.9±0.2)Bql-1 and 0.7±0.03 to 151.2±1.8 (40.1±0.9)Bql-1 for well, tap and river waters respectively. Correlation value between α and β activities in well, tap and river water is 0.025, 0.047 and 0.512 respectively. The results show that except for the alpha activity in the tap water samples, the average natural activity concentrations of αand β-emitting radionuclides in the samples are slightly above the WHO recommended limit. For all samples the gross β activities are higher than the corresponding gross α activities. The mean effective equivalent dose intake per year due to alpha activity in the water samples for adults and infants are: 76.4±1.8 and 20.9±55µSvy-1 , 54.6±1.3 and 14.9±0.4 µSvy-1 , and 2118±70 and 584±19.2µSvy-1 in well, tap, and river water samples respectively. The results obtained for dose intake are below the WHO recommended reference level of 0.1mSvy-1 , except for the water sample from Uzere river. This study indicates that the water sources evaluated, especially the rivers, are contaminated radiologically. @JASEM

No abstract

A key component of the current national energy policy of Nigeria is to efficiently utilize her abundant natural gas reserves, especially in the energy sector. This paper reports a study of the terrestrial radioactivity in the industrial areas of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) of Rivers State. These industrial areas and their host communities were divided into six (6) zones, each having an oil and gas facility. An in-situ measurement was done using two well calibrated nuclear radiation meters (digilert–100 and digilert–50) and geographical positioning system (GPS). Ten readings were taken in each of the six zones and the host community at randomly selected sites, making a total of 60 sampling points. The mean site radiation level ranges from 0.014 ± 00.001mRh−1 (1.183 ± 0.060mSvy−1) to 0.018 ± 0.002mRh−1 (1.689± 0.085mSvy−1) while the mean community radiation level ranges from 0.014 ± 0.001mRh−1 (1.183 ± 0.06mSvy−1) to 0.017 ± 0.001mRh−1 (1.435 ± 0.072mSvyr1). The equivalent dose has an average range of 1.056 mSvy−1 to 2.871 mSvy−1, which is far below the recommended dose limit for radiological workers (20mSvy−1) but averagely above that for the general public (1mSvyr−1). Comparison of the measured radiation level of site locations with the normal background level shows that 43 locations, representing 71.7% of the sampled area, exceed the normal background level of 0.013mRh−1. This study indicates that there is no immediate radiological health hazard for the host communities and workers, however there may be long-term health challenges.

The solution of spinless Salpeter equation with generalized Hulthén potential using SUSYQM formalism is presented. We obtained approximately the energy eigenvalues and the corresponding wave function in a closed form for any arbitrary l state. We have also reported on the numerical result of our work.

The distribution of ionizing radiation in Rivers State in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria is studied on the premise that the state ‐ wide distribution of oil and gas operations leads to a homogeneous ionizing radiation environment. The state is sub divided into three self‐ consistent sub environments of an upland college campus environment, a rural riverine environment and an industrial sub zone environment. Available data give a mean dose equivalent of 0.745+ 0.085 mSv/yr (upland campus environment), 0.690+0.170 mSv/yr (rural riverine communities) and 1.270+0.087 mSv/yr (industrial zone) indicating an inhomogeneous radiation profile. The differences may be due to variations in levels of industrial activities and local geological peculiarities. Health implications are also examined. Santrauka Jonizuojančiosios spinduliuotes pasiskirstymas Rivers valstijoje Nigerio deltos regione, Nigerijoje, yra nagrinejamas remiantis prielaida, kad valstijos mastu naftos ir duju veiklos pletra gali tureti itakos aplinkos jonizuojančiosios spinduliuotes homogenizacijai. Tirti pasirinktos trys būdingos aplinkos vietos: universiteto teritorija, esanti vasltijos aukštumoje, kaimo paupio teritorijos bei pramonine aplinka. Gauti rezultatai parode, kad vidutines dozes ekvivalentai atitinkamai pasirinktose vietose yra 0,745±0,085 mSv/yr, 0,690±0,170 mSv/yr ir l,270±0087 mSv/yr. Rezultatai paneige prielaida apie galima aplinkos jonizuojančiosios spinduliuotes homogenizacija. Šiems skirtumams itakos gali tureti nevienodi pramonines veiklos mastai bei vietiniai geologiniai ypatumai. Taip pat darbe skiriama demesio jonizacijos reikšmingumui sveikatai. Резюме Распределение ионизирующего излучения в штате Риверс региона дельты Нила в Нигерии анализируется на основании предпосылки о том, что расширение деятельности по добыче нефти и газа в масштабе штата может оказать влияние на гомогенизацию ионизирующего излучения в окружающей среде. Для исследований были подобраны три наиболее характерных места окружающей среды: территория университета, находящаяся на высоком месте штата, сельские территории вблизи реки и промышленная среда. Полученные результаты показали следующие эквиваленты средних доз в выбранных местах: 0,745±0,085 mSv/yr, 0,690±0,170 mSv/yr и 1,270± 0,087 mSv/yr и опровергли предпосылку о возможной гомогенизации ионизирующего излучения в окружающей среде. Разница в результатах может быть объяснена разными масштабами промышленной деятельности и местными геологическими особенностями. Также обращено внимание на значение ионизации для здоровья людей.