Determination of Uranium in Rocks and Soils of South Cameroon by γ-ray Spectrometry

Abstract

Analytical results of uranium concentration in rocks and soils collected in the area of Lolodorf of South Cameroon where a radiometric anomaly had been found by previous investigation are reported. The analysis has been carried out by γ-ray spectrometry using a detector. Radioactivity concentration of was determined by comparing peak count rates of samples with those of natural uranium standard sample. Radioactivity concentration of was calculated from the radioactivity concentration by assuming that the isotopic composition of is 0.7200 of natural abundance. Difference of γ-ray self-absorption between the samples and uranium standard was accurately corrected by using a mass attenuation coefficient of samples and standard measured by using an external γ-ray source. The radioactivity concentrations in rocks ranged from 0.92 0.02 to 228 14 and 20 5 to 4 868 307 , while radioactivity concentrations in soils ranged from 3 1 to 63 2 and 71± 19 to 1 346± 38 The γ-ray dose rates in air at 1 m above the ground surface due to the high uranium concentration in soil samples were ranged from 33± 9 to 622± 18. The highest uranium concentration of about 0.04 in rock was found in the analysis. These results show that the uranium content in the studied areas is significantly high and the studied areas have a potential for uranium mining.

Measurement of Radioactive Impact of the Gas Well Accident on Environment of Sylhet Division in Bangladesh

“…It is about to 1.6 times and 2.11 times higher for Magurchhara and 1.74 times and 2.29 times higher for Haripur area than the worldwide value [4] (Table 3) and world average [12] (Table 3) respectively. However, the mean activity concentration of 232 Th has been found to be lower than those of the Kestanbol [24], Iran [21], regional study [22], Egypt [23], South Cameroon [25], India [26], Southern Districts of Bangladesh [27], China [28] and Northern Districts of Bangladesh 7 ( Table 2). …”

“…The mean specific radioactivity level of 226 Ra in the study areas has been found to be higher than those of the Turkey [17], India [26], China [15], although it has been found to be lower than those of the Kestanbol [24], Kirklareli [18], Spain [16], French rivers-1 [19], French rivers-2 [20], Ireland [31], Iran [21], regional study [22], Egypt [23], Southern Districts of Bangladesh [27], South Cameroon [25], Louisiana-USA [29] and Northern Districts of Bangladesh [7] (Table 2). It has been found to be about 0.51 times and 0.92 times for Magurchhera and 0.50 times and 0.89 times for Haripur than the worldwide value [4] ( Table 3) and world average [12] (Table 3) values respectively.…”

“…It has been found to be about 0.51 times and 0.92 times for Magurchhera and 0.50 times and 0.89 times for Haripur than the worldwide value [4] ( Table 3) and world average [12] (Table 3) values respectively. The mean specific radioactivity level of 40 K in the soil samples has been found to be higher than those of the regional study [22], Ireland [31], Hungary [30], Egypt [23], but the activity concentration of 40 K has been found to be lower than those of the Turkey [17], Kirklareli [18], Spain [16], French rivers-1 [19], French rivers-2 [20], Iran [21], Southern Districts of Bangladesh [27], Kestanbol [24], China [15], South Cameroon [25], Northern Districts of Bangladesh [7], and India [26] (Table 2). The specific activity of 40 K has been found to be about 1.02 times and 1.15 times higher for Magurchhera area than the worldwide value [4] (Table 3) and world average [12] (Table 3) value respectively; similar results have also been found for Haripur area.…”

Measurement of Radioactive Impact of the Gas Well Accident on Environment of Sylhet Division in Bangladesh

“…It is about to 1.6 times and 2.11 times higher for Magurchhara and 1.74 times and 2.29 times higher for Haripur area than the worldwide value [4] (Table 3) and world average [12] (Table 3) respectively. However, the mean activity concentration of 232 Th has been found to be lower than those of the Kestanbol [24], Iran [21], regional study [22], Egypt [23], South Cameroon [25], India [26], Southern Districts of Bangladesh [27], China [28] and Northern Districts of Bangladesh 7 (Table 2).…”

“…The mean specific radioactivity level of 226 Ra in the study areas has been found to be higher than those of the Turkey [17], India [26], China [15], although it has been found to be lower than those of the Kestanbol [24], Kirklareli [18], Spain [16], French rivers-1 [19], French rivers-2 [20], Ireland [31], Iran [21], regional study [22], Egypt [23], Southern Districts of Bangladesh [27], South Cameroon [25], Louisiana-USA [29] and Northern Districts of Bangladesh [7] (Table 2). It has been found to be about 0.51 times and 0.92 times for Magurchhera and 0.50 times and 0.89 times for Haripur than the worldwide value [4] (Table 3) and world average [12] (Table 3) values respectively.…”