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Estimation of radiation exposure in soils and organic (animal) and inorganic (chemical) fertilizers using active technique

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Abstract

In this study, activity concentrations of 40K, 226Ra and 232Th in fertilized soil samples and different organic and inorganic fertilizers used in agricultural soil were analysed using gamma-ray spectrometry NaI (Tl) detector in order to access the implications of extended use of fertilizers in 2–3 years. The concentrations of radionuclides in some granular fertilizer brands were discovered to be higher for 40K, 226Ra and 232Th than those obtained in leafy fertilizer, animal fertilizer and fertilized soil samples. From the results, the highest overall mean concentrations of the specific activities of 40K, 226Ra and 232Th were 2301.8 (granular fertilizer), 42.5 (leafy fertilizer) and 327.1 (animal fertilizer) in Bq kg−1, while the lowest values observed in the specific activities of the same radionuclides were 357.7 (leafy fertilizer), 28.1 (animal fertilizer) and 36.5 (animal fertilizer). The radiological hazards of the radium equivalent (Raeq), normative value (NRN), outdoor radium equivalent (Raeq-out), external hazard index (H ext), internal hazard index (H in), dose rate, annual effective dose rate, activity utilization index and concentration accumulation index (CAI) and RaFZ due to the presence of these radionuclides in the investigated samples were calculated. Nevertheless, some of the fertilizer brands have higher concentration values than the recommended limit, and the values of hazard indices of fertilizer brands used in the selected teaching and research farms were within acceptable limit. Therefore, the fertilized soil samples in the studied farms are safe.

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Source Nigeria Muse (2010)

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Acknowledgements

The first author acknowledges the authority of Landmark University for granting him the opportunity to spend his sabbatical leave there. Part of the fund realized during that period was used to finance the major part of the work. The authors of this article also acknowledge the following people: Miss Damilola, Mr Jegede and Miss Oguntuase Elizabeth for their assistance in field sampling and laboratory work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Radiation and Health Physics Division, Faculty of Science, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria

    E. B. Faweya

  2. Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria

    M. J. Ayeni

  3. Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria

    G. O. Olowomofe & H. T. Akande

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  1. E. B. Faweya
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  2. M. J. Ayeni
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  3. G. O. Olowomofe
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  4. H. T. Akande
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Correspondence to E. B. Faweya.

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Editorial responsibility: M. Abbaspour.

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Faweya, E.B., Ayeni, M.J., Olowomofe, G.O. et al. Estimation of radiation exposure in soils and organic (animal) and inorganic (chemical) fertilizers using active technique. Int. J. Environ. Sci. Technol. 15, 1967–1982 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-017-1574-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-017-1574-x

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