Distribution of Gamma Emitting Radionuclides in Gold Ore Mine From Birnin Gwari Artisanal Goldmine Kaduna State Nigeria

Abstract

The activity concentrations of naturally occurring radionuclides ( 238 U, 232 Th and 40 K) were investigated in gold ore mined from Birnin Gwari Artisanal Goldmine in Kaduna state Nigeria using Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) technique. Twelve samples were collected from pits at different depths and the locations of pits were marked out using Global Positioning System (GPS). The measured activity concentration due to 238 U range from 6.18±3.7 to 66.69±4.9 Bq/Kg with mean value 37.36±5.45, Bq/Kg 232 Th range from 16.65±0.8 to 87.29±1.2 Bq/Kg with mean value of 62.69±6.33 and 40 K range from 85.13±4.5 to 1564.69±57.9Bq/Kg with a mean value of 997.52±11 9.97 Bq/Kg. The value compared well with published data from other countries and all values from this study are higher than the world average values and other countries with the exception of 232 Th concentration from India and Malaysia that are slightly higher than the mean value of 232 Th obtained in this study.

An Assessment of Radiological Hazards from Gold Mine Tailings in the Province of Gauteng in South Africa

“…Each of the samples was weighed using an electronic balance. The samples, with known masses, were then packed and sealed in plastic marinelli beakers for 28 days in order to establish a secular equilibrium among some progenies of 238 U and 232 Th series [ 15 ].…”

Internal dose assessment of 238U contaminated soils based on in-vitro gastrointestinal protocol

“…The key results to estimate annual comitted effective dose was summarised in Table 3. Radioactivity level of 238 U are calculated by using conversion rate for uranium where 1 ppm is equal to 12.35 Bq kg -1 [26][27] [28]. Based on assumption of Traber et al [9] with the maximum daily intake of soil 0.01 g for 1 year with effective dose coefficient for members of the public is 4.5 x 10 -8 Sv/Bq [29][30], the estimated comitted effective dose was calculated using Eq.…”