DETERMINATION OF GROSS ALPHA AND BETA RADIOACTIVITY CONCENTRATION ALONG JAKARA WASTE WATER CANAL, KANO METROPOLIS, KANO STATE, NIGERIA.

Authors

  • E.E. Idoko Sani Bello Science College P. M. B. 3147, Kano
  • T.S. Bichi Department of Physics, Kano University of Science and Technology, Wudil, Kano State
  • R.A. Onoja Centre for Energy Research and Training, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
  • P.O. Akusu Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission, Abuja, F.C.T
  • R.O. Onoja Federal Government College, Zaria, Kaduna State

Abstract

This research undertook an assessment of the radioactivity level along the Jakara waste water canal. Six soil samples and five water samples were taken for gross alpha and beta activity concentration using the gas–flow–proportional counter (IN20). Results for gross alpha activity concentration for the soil samples range from 4.597E-03 Bq/g to 1.425E-02 Bq/g, while that of gross beta activity for soil has the range from 3.341E+01 Bq/g to 8.092E+01 Bq/g. In the same vein, results for gross alpha activity concentration for the water samples have the range from 6.035E-03 Bq/L to 1.433E+00 Bq/L while the value for the gross beta activity concentration ranges from 5.038E+00 Bq/L to 2.853E+01 Bq/L for the same water samples. These results show that the alpha and beta activity concentration in the analysed samples are higher than the minimum permissible concentration by World Health Organisation (WHO, 2003). This may pose health risk because the waste water is used by people to irrigate vegetables along the waste water canal.

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Published

2020-03-29

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 1 (2020)

Section

ARTICLES