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Assessment of radiation hazards related to phosphate ore processing around Kpémé plant in Togo: multivariate statistical approach

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Abstract

The activity concentrations of 238U, 226Ra, 232Th and 40K were carried out on soil samples from phosphate ore processing site at Kpémé, Togo. Spatial distribution of the activity concentrations of all radionuclides and associated risk hazards parameters were performed using multivariate statistical analysis such as Kendall’s, Spearman’s and Pearson’s correlations and principal components analysis. The level of exposure due to gamma-ray radiations was estimated. The results concerning the activity concentrations of 238U, 226Ra, 232Th showed values higher than the recommended limit except 40K. The total average values of the radium equivalent activity index, absorbed gamma dose rate in air, internal and external hazard indices, Iɣ and excess lifetime cancer risk were 381.27 Bq kg−1, 175.11 nGy h−1, 1.94, 1.03, 1.02 and 0.00075, respectively. These values were higher than the worldwide maximum admissible value. However, the exposed dose to workers and the public was below the limit recommended. Statistical analysis indicated strong positive correlation between 238U, 226Ra and 232Th, and negative correlation between the previous radionuclides with 40K. The Pearson’s correlations related to the parameters is linearly the best approximation of the measured values. Principal component analysis indicated that the responsible of radiological risk’s variations in the vicinity of Kpémé plant are uranium and its decay products. The radon mass exhalation rate was investigated and its maximum value was around 16% of the worldwide admissible value. Hence it was assumed that the use of Kpémé soil as building material is safe but requires aeration to avoid the accumulation of radon gas.

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The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study may be made available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to express their great gratitude to IAEA for awarding financially the fellowship under STEP program, without which this work would have not been possible; and also appreciate the community of Kpémé for their great cooperation during sampling period. We also thank the Reviewers and Editors of this paper from International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology for their positive comments.

Funding

This research was funded by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) under Sandwich Training Educational Programme (STEP 2017); recipient: Mr. Eyakifama Hazou.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Lomé, 01, P.O. Box 1515, Lomé, Togo

    E. Hazou & M. M. Dzagli

  2. Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Douala, P.O. Box 24157, Douala, Cameroon

    M. M. Ndontchueng

  3. Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Science, University of Lomé, 01, P.O. Box 1515, Lomé, Togo

    E. Konzou

  4. Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria

    T. E. Patchali

  5. Laboratory of Physiology and Pharmacology, Research Unit: Pathophysiology-Bioactive Substances and Safety, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lomé, 01, BP: 1515, Lomé, Togo

    P. Kola

  6. Jožef Stefan Institute, Jamova cesta 39, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia

    B. Zorko

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  1. E. Hazou
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Contributions

All authors contributed to achieve this manuscript. HE: soil samples collection, preparation and lab analysis, data curation, methodology, investigation, writing-original draft and editing. DMM: supervision, conceptualization, validation and writing-review. NMM: supervision, conceptualization, validation and writing-review. KE: statistical analysis, data curation, methodology, visualization and editing. PTE: conceptualization, methodology, data curation, editing and writing-review. KP: conceptualization, cancer risk assessment, methodology and editing. ZB: soil sample preparation and analysis, conceptualization, validation and writing-review.

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Correspondence to E. Hazou.

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Editorial responsibility: Samareh Mirkia.

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Hazou, E., Dzagli, M.M., Ndontchueng, M.M. et al. Assessment of radiation hazards related to phosphate ore processing around Kpémé plant in Togo: multivariate statistical approach. Int. J. Environ. Sci. Technol. 20, 307–320 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-022-04054-6

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