| Popis: |
Gamma ray spectrometric analyses were carried out on 25 samples of bituminous sand collected from five different locations (Ilubirin, Agbabu, Mile 2,Igbokoda and Okitipupa) of Okitipupa area in Ondo State. The samples were air dried, weighed and sealed for 28 days to allow them attain a state of secular equilibrium. They were thereafter analyzed for gamma emitting radio nuclides using the gamma-ray spectrometer fitted with a calibrated Canberra cervical co-axial high purity germanium detector (HPGe) system at the Radiation and Health Physics Laboratory in the Department of Physics, University of Ibadan. The objectives were to determine the presence and level of radioactivity concentrations of selected radionuclides, to assess the impact of the radioactivity on the environment.The range of average radioactive concentration obtained was 12.04±0.48 in Okitipupa to 20.13±0.24 in Agbadu , 0.968±0.07 in Ilubirin to 6.79±0.05 in Agbadu and 18.82±0.26 in Ilubirin to 105.76±0.78 in Agbadu all in Bk/Kg for of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K respectively. The mean dose equivalent obtained was 20.10µSv which was below the world average of 70µSv. The study confirmed the presence of radionuclides in the bituminous sands but their activity levels are low and thus are not expected to constitute any health hazard on the environment. |
