ASSESSMENT OF NATURAL RADIOACTIVITY AND RADIOLOGICAL RISKS IN SOIL OF NUMBUPI MINING SITE IN NIGER STATE, NIGERIA: PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS

Authors

  • Jibril Musa
    Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
  • Abdulsalam Shehu
    Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
  • Olubunmi O. Aregbe
    University of Minnesota, USA
  • Abdullahi A. Abubakar
    Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
  • Nuraddeen N. Garba
    Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
  • Usman Adamu
    Kaduna State University image/svg+xml
  • Aliyu Muhammad
    Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
  • Abdulkadir Mukhtar
    Federal University of Transportation, Daura
  • Abdullahi M. Vatsa
    Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
  • Usman M. Kankara
    Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
  • Yamusa A. Yamusa
    Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria

Keywords:

Soil contamination, Natural radioactivity, Radiological hazards, Gamma spectrometry, Dose assessment, Hazard index

Abstract

The study was conducted in Numbupi, a gold-mining settlement in Chanchaga Local Government Area, Niger State, Nigeria. The area features lowland topography surrounded by rock formations and is characterized by open-pit mining practices. The study uses gamma spectrometry with a sodium iodide (NaI (Tl)) detector to assess the natural radioactivity concentrations of Ra, Th, and K in seven soil samples collected from the Numbupi Mining Site in Niger State, Nigeria. The mean activity concentrations of Ra (85.81 18.32 Bq/kg), Th (15.84 8.21 Bq/kg), and K (213.41 89.67 Bq/kg) were calculated and compared with world mean values. A high K concentration in Sample 5 (324.45 Bq/kg) is likely driven by anthropogenic sources, potassium fertilizer application, as it is a well-documented contributor to K enrichment, and natural (alluvial) interactions, while elevated Ra concentration in Samples 1 (136.70 Bq/kg) and 7 (120.72 Bq/kg) correlated with local granitic geology. The following radiological health parameters were calculated: radium equivalent activity (124.90 42.56 Bq/kg), absorbed dose rate (58.11 18.23 nGy/h), annual effective dose equivalent (0.36 0.12 mSv/y), and hazard indices (Hex = 0.34 0.12, Hin = 0.57 0.22). The observed correlations between natural radionuclides (Ra, Th, and K) in the analyzed soil samples reflect complex geological and anthropogenic interactions. The study revealed a strong positive correlation between Th and K (r = +0.85), primarily driven by Samples 5 and 7, indicating that soils with higher thorium concentrations also tend to have elevated potassium levels. All the calculated values were found to be well below international safety...

Dimensions

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Published

31-05-2025

How to Cite

ASSESSMENT OF NATURAL RADIOACTIVITY AND RADIOLOGICAL RISKS IN SOIL OF NUMBUPI MINING SITE IN NIGER STATE, NIGERIA: PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS. (2025). FUDMA JOURNAL OF SCIENCES, 9(5), 87-96. https://doi.org/10.33003/fjs-2025-0905-3588

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 5 (2025): FUDMA Journal of Sciences - Vol. 9 No. 5

Section

Research Articles
Copyright & Licensing

How to Cite

ASSESSMENT OF NATURAL RADIOACTIVITY AND RADIOLOGICAL RISKS IN SOIL OF NUMBUPI MINING SITE IN NIGER STATE, NIGERIA: PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS. (2025). FUDMA JOURNAL OF SCIENCES, 9(5), 87-96. https://doi.org/10.33003/fjs-2025-0905-3588

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