Primordial radionuclides in potable water from former tin-mining areas with elevated activity

摘要

The activity concentrations of the primordial radionuclides in potable water from 2 former mining areas (Bisichi and Bukuru) in Jos, Plateau state in Nigeria have been studied. The activities were determined by a non-destructive analysis using a computerized gamma ray spectrometry system with high purity germanium (HPGe). The results show the average activity concentrations for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K for Bukuru and Bisichi to be respectively 1.20 ±0.02, 1.93 ± 0.01, 4.75 ± 0.14 and 2.03 ± 0.14, 2.20 ± 0.13 and 3.26 ± 0.06 Bq/l. The corresponding annual effective doses for both locations are respectively 0.59 and 0.80 mSv/year which are much higher than the reference level of a dose of 0.1mSv/year from the intake of drinking water.