Natural Radionuclide Content of Sediment and Water in Ebonyi River at Enyigba-Ikwo Mining District of Ebonyi State, Southeastern Nigeria

Abstract

The rate of increase in the radiation level in the environment is as a result of the advancement in technology, industry, agriculture and other human activities. Consequently, the objective of this paper was to assess the natural radionuclide content of Natural Radionuclide Content of Sediment and Water in Ebonyi River at Enyigba-Ikwo Mining District of Ebonyi State, Southeastern Nigeria using appropriate standard procedures to determine the activities of U-238, Th-232 and K-40. Data obtained show that the mean activities of the radionuclides were found to be 10.59+0.81, 3.20+0.15, and 517.03+10.06 Bq/Kg for U-238, Th-232 and K-40 respectively in sediment samples. Similarly, the mean activities of U-238, Th-232 and K-40 in surface water samples were observed to be 8.13+0.85, 1.63+0.17 and 369.55+7.12 Bq/L respectively while that of groundwater was found to be 6.43+0.14,1.93+0.11 and 265.52+10.18 Bq/L for U-238, Th-232 and K-40 respectively. The mean concentrations of the radionuclides were highest in the sediment, followed by surface and least in the groundwater. All the radionuclides determined had their values below the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) recommended limit for normal background radiation except K-40 in sediment. The radiological index parameters were evaluated and their values were below the UNSCEAR limit. The area indicated minimal or no immediate radiological health burden. This study provides the crucial radiological baseline data of the area and regular environmental monitoring and seasonal variation studies are recommended.