Basement data of the Terrestrial Radionuclide Level of Abuja Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), Nigeria

Ayodeji Awodugba, Adetayo Abioye, Dauda Adekunle, Omowumi Ologun, Isiaka Oyekunle, Olatunde Oni, Pascal Tchokossa

Centre for Energy Research and Development, Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
Department of Pure & Applied Physics, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria.
Department of Pure & Applied Physics, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria.
Department of Pure & Applied Physics, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology,Ogbomoso, Nigeria.

DOI: 10.4236/jep.2011.24039                

Abstract

A total of 30 samples were collected from six different locations from of Abuja Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the administrative capital of Nigeria which is situated in the central part of the country. The samples which were thor-oughly prepared following known dosimetry procedures were analyzed for 40K, 238U and 232Th by the method of Gamma ray spectrometry using NaI(TL) detector coupled to a multichannel analyzer. The activity concentrations in the top soils in these locations for 40K, 238U and 232Th range from 301 ± 26.52 to 928.84 ± 80.57, Not detectable (ND) value to 27.68 ± 8.21 and 4.65 ± 1.46 to 22.48 ± 5.26 respectively. The average absorbed dose rate and the annual effective dose equivalent were found to be 40.33 nGyh–1 and 49.46 µSv respectively. The value of annual effective dose equivalent is low compared to the world average of 70 µSv specified by UNSCEAR for an outdoor effective dose, hence the chances of radiological hazards to the health of the populace are generally low.

Keywords

Gamma Ray Spectrometry, Soil, Radionuclides, Abuja FCT, Nigeria

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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