Journal of Physical Chemistry & Biophysics
Open Access

Abstract

Evaluation of Chemical and Radiological Impacts of Radionuclides in Borehole Waters in Igbajo Town, Osun State, Nigeria

Olalekan Sunday Fayemi*, Abdur-rahim Adebisi Giwa, Adeniran Ezekiel Aderanti and Abibat Irebami Adenekan

Water is a universal solvent on earth and sources such as wells, rivers, springs, boreholes, and other freshwater bodies typically serve as a pathway for contaminants to enter the ecosystem while also supplying water for domestic and drinking purposes. The activity concentrations of radionuclides in borehole water in Igbajo town were assessed using gamma-ray spectroscopy, so as to effectively determine the degree of radiological risk to the environment and its inhabitants, the outcomes were used to calculate all the radiological impact parameters. The activity concentrations obtained for ⁴⁰k, ²³⁸U and ²³²Th ranged from 7.25 ± 0.60 to 62.15 ± 4.48 Bq.L^–1; 3.08 ± 0.45 to 15.24 ± 3.07 Bq.L^–1 and 1.08 ± 1.10 to 17.75 ± 1.59 Bq.L^–1 and with average values of 23.12 ± 1.59 Bq.L^–1, 6.27 ± 2.01 Bq.L^–1 and 7.01 ± 0.89 Bq.L^–1 respectively. The Annual Effective Dose (AED) for ingested radionuclide in drinking water for an adult was 1.4872 μSv.yr^–1. The Radium Equivalent Activity Index, Ra_eq obtained was 34.9186 Bq.L^–1. The estimated hazard indices H_int and H_ext were 0.04876 and 0.06574 respectively. The Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk, ELCR (× 10–6) was 5205.15. With a lifetime expectancy of 70 years, this high value suggests that there is a high chance of developing cancer. The value of the Annual Gonadal Equivalent Dose (AGED) in the water was 55.9175 μSv.yr^–1. The estimated Gamma Index, Iγ was 0.1273 mSv.yr^–1. There is a significant health hazard to the environment and people living in the area owing to the radioactivity contents and radiological impact parameters.

Published Date: 2023-12-08; Received Date: 2023-11-08