Author(s)

OMEJE MAXWELL, JOEL EMMANUEL SUNDAY, ADEWOYIN OLUSEGUN OLADOTUN, AKINWUMI SAYO AKINLOYE, PRAISEGOD CHIDOZIE EMENIKE, IMOKHAI THEOPHILUS TENEBE, OLATOKUNBO OFUYATAN, OKOLIE TOBIAS SOCIIS, HUSIN WAGIRAN

Abstract

²²⁶Ra concentrations were studied to represent the radiological risk of groundwater of the Giri and Kuje areas of Abuja, North-Central Nigeria. Two borehole water samples were collected from the Giri and Kuje areas of Abuja with a hand-dug well and Abuja Water Board as control. Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to measure the concentrations of radionuclide of ²²⁶Ra exposed to the dwellers. The activity concentrations of ²²⁶R in groundwater supplies for drinking and domestic purposes ranges from 443 µBq L^‒q to 849 µBq L^–1, with the highest value of 849 µBq L^–1 found at the Kuje borehole; the lowest value of 443 µBq L^‒q was reported at the Giri borehole. This higher activity value found at the Kuje borehole may be attributed to a basaltic dyke intrusion that outcrops in the region which is used for a quarry. The concentration was used to calculate the Life Average Daily Dose of ²²⁶Ra individuals collected in the area, which was estimated to be 5.0 × 10^–3 μg kg^‒k day^‒d and was found to be lower than the International Reference Level. This present study recommends further research on ²²⁶Ra levels and exposure to inhabitants via groundwater for a comprehensive conclusion to be drawn for future toxicity and toxicological health-related diseases.

Keywords

ICP-MS, radionuclide, radium-226, Abuja, groundwater