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Assessing Scalability of Natural Radionuclides and Associated Risks in Soils from Gold Mining Areas in Iperindo, Southwestern Nigeria

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Abstract

The environmental and health implications of artisanal gold mining activities at mining sites across Nigeria have rekindled research interest. This study aimed to assess the scalability of naturally occurring radioactive materials in gold mining sites in Iperindo, Nigeria. Soil samples were collected from three different mining sites and control locations and analyzed for natural radionuclides, mainly 238U, 232Th, and 40K, using gamma spectrometry having a sodium iodide detector. The average activity concentration values of 61.55 ± 3.71, 72.65 ± 4.45, and 1134.99 ± 38.12 Bqkg−1 obtained from within the mining sites for 238U, 232Th, and 40K, respectively, were above the world permissible values of 33.0 Bqkg−1 for 238U, 45.0 Bqkg−1 for 232Th, and 420.0 Bqkg−1 for 40K. The average activity concentration values of 15.26 ± 3.19, 21.46 ± 4.27, 381.04 ± 23.36 Bqkg−1 estimated for 238U, 232Th, and 40K, respectively, for the control location were, however, lower than the global permissible values. The study also evaluated other radiological parameters such as radium equivalent, dose rate, annual effective dose rate, internal and external hazard indices, and alpha and gamma indices. The obtained values were 252.83 Bqkg−1, 119.98 nGyh−1, 147.15 mSvy−1, 0.85 Bqkg−1, 0.68 Bqkg−1, 0.31 Bqkg−1, and 1.89 Bqkg−1 respectively. Except for radium equivalent, external and internal hazard risks, and alpha index, which were significantly lower than the recommended threshold, all other radiological parameters were higher than the recommended global limits. Moderate data reproducibility and a p-value of 0.000574 further reinforced the robustness and reliability of the results obtained in this study.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge Agbele T. A. and Oyebanjo O. A. for their roles and contributions during the field investigations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, Federal Polytechnic Ede, Ede, Nigeria

    F. R. Amodu, F. Ben, B. N. Ben-Festus, O. K. Olawale & G. O. Edaogbogun

  2. Centre for Advanced Materials Research and Development, Federal Polytechnic Ede, Ede, Nigeria

    F. R. Amodu, F. Ben, B. N. Ben-Festus & G. O. Edaogbogun

  3. Centre for Nanoengineering and Advanced Materials, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa

    F. Ben

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Amodu, F.R., Ben, F., Ben-Festus, B.N. et al. Assessing Scalability of Natural Radionuclides and Associated Risks in Soils from Gold Mining Areas in Iperindo, Southwestern Nigeria. Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration 41, 925–935 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42461-024-00946-y

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