Measurement of Gross Alpha and Beta Radioactivity in River Kaduna

Measurement of Gross Alpha and Beta Radioactivity in River Kaduna.

ABSTRACT

Thirty samples of river water were taken from the three zones, Farming, Residential/Commercial and Industrial Zones along the course of River Kaduna. The Total dissolved solids (TDS) was determined for the water samples. Also radionuclides present in the water samples were identified using the Exploranium, the identifier.

The radionuclides are ²³⁸U, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K. The specific activities of the radionuclides in the river water samples were calculated, the average specific activity of ²³⁸U was 9.00 Bq/g that of ²³²Th was 3.93 Bq/g, and for ⁴⁰K the average specific activity was 199.10  Bq/g.

An aliquot of each sample was evaporated to dryness, based on the  total  dissolved  solids (TDS) of the sample, and the residue counted for gross alpha and beta activity  using the proportional counter. The results of characterization show that the counter has low background and good plateau, which were all reproducible, for all the channels and for different counting modes.

Results also show that the average alpha activity in the Farming Zone is 0.027 ± 0.002×10³Bq/m³, average alpha activity in the Residential/Commercial Zone is 0.025 ± 0.001 x 10³Bq/m³ and that in  the  Industrial zone is 0.03 ± 0.003 x 10³Bq/m³.

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TABLE OF CONTENT

Dedication……….. ii

Declaration…………………. iii

Certification………………… iv

Acknowledgement………….. v

Abstract……………… vi

Table of Content………. vii

List of Tables………. x

List of Figures………… xi

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

• General Introduction……………………………………………………………………….. 1
• Previous Work on Radioactivity in Water in Nigeria…………………………….. 2
• The Research Problem…………………………………………………………………….. 3
• Aims and Objectives of the Research………………………………………………… 3
• Justification of the Research…………………………………………………………….. 4
• The Scope of the Research………………………………………………………………. 5

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1         Water Pollution………………………………………………………………………………. 6

• Radioactivity…………………………………………………………………………………. 9
• Radioactive Decay Law…………………………………………………………………. 11
• Half Life (T_½)………………………………………………………………………………. 11
• Activity……………………………………………………………………………………….. 12
• Specific Activity…………………………………………………………………………… 12
• Sources of Radioactivity………………………………………………………………… 12
• Radioactivity in Water…………………………………………………………………… 15
• Physical Effects of Radiation…………………………………………………………. 17
• Chemical Effects of Radiation………………………………………………………… 18
• Biological Effect of Radiation………………………………………………………… 19
• Health Implications of Radioactivity in Water………………………………….. 20
• Regulation on Radioactive Contamination in Drinking Water………………. 22

2.2.13.   Quantification of the Effects of Radioactivity in Drinking water…………. 22

• Measurement of Radioactivity in water…………………………………………….. 24
  • Sampling……………………………………………………………………………………… 24
  • Radioactivity Measurement……………………………………………………………. 25
  • Internal Proportional Counter…………………………………………………………. 26
  • Problems with Counting Instruments……………………………………………….. 26
  • Coincidence Counting…………………………………………………………………… 27
  • Anti coincidence Shielding…………………………………………………………….. 28

2.4.0      Review of the Previous Works……………………………………………………….. 28

CHAPTER THREE: MATERIALS AND METHODS

• Materials……………………………………………………………………………………… 32
  • The Exploranium………………………………………………………………………….. 32
  • The Proportional Counter………………………………………………………………. 32
  • Standards…………………………………………………………………………………….. 33
  • Other Materials…………………………………………………………………………….. 34
• Methods………………………………………………………………………………………. 35
  • Sampling……………………………………………………………………………………… 35
  • Identification of Radionuclides present in the sample………………………… 37
  • Determination of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)…………………………………. 38
  • Sample Preparation……………………………………………………………………….. 38
  • Preparation of Counting Standard for Alpha Activity Measurement…….. 39
  • Preparation of Beta Counting Standards…………………………………………… 39
  • Detector Characterization………………………………………………………………. 39
  • Counting……………………………………………………………………………………… 40
• Data Presentation………………………………………………………………………….. 41
  • Alpha – Activity…………………………………………………………………………… 41
  • Beta – Activity…………………………………………………………………………….. 42
  • Contour Distribution……………………………………………………………………… 42
• Analysis of Data…………………………………………………………………………… 42

CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS

• Preliminary Results……………………………………………………………………….. 44
• Characterization of Equipment……………………………………………………….. 44
• Major Results……………………………………………………………………………….. 48
  • Identified Radionuclides from the Samples………………………………………. 48
  • Measured Alpha and Beta Activity in the River Water Samples……………. 50
• Analysis by Histogram…………………………………………………………………… 52
• Distribution by Contour…………………………………………………………………. 56
• Relationship between Measured Parameters……………………………………… 59
• Summary of Results………………………………………………………………………. 61

CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

• Discussion…………………………………………………………………………………… 64
  • Performance of the Exploranium…………………………………………………….. 64
  • Performance of the Proportional Counter…………………………………………. 64
  • Comparison of Results………………………………………………………………….. 64
• Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………….. 65
• Recommendations………………………………………………………………………… 67

REFERENCES……… 68         

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INTRODUCTION

Water is an essential substance to man, animal and  all that surrounds them. It  has been  in existence right from the origin of the universe itself.  Water  forms greater percentage of man’s and animal’s blood and tissue. The use of water cuts across industrial agricultural and domestic uses.

The two main sources of water are rain and ground water sources. The ground water can be deep  ground water like wells and boreholes, or surface ground water, like  rivers,  seas,  oceans, lakes and streams. This surface water can also be collected, passed through purification processes and channelled through pipes as tap water. This is the most portable source of drinking water in Nigeria.

However, water sources are constantly polluted by some human activities and natural phenomena; thus adversely affecting the quality of water. Water pollution arises from wastes and sewage disposals into rivers and streams from industries, hospitals and rain- wash out from fertilizers used for farming.

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REFERENCES

Abba-Gana, (1986). Chemical Analysis of Wikki Spring in Bauchi State and Kerang Spring in Plataeu State. Unpublished M.Sc. Thesis in Department of Chemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

Akpa, T.C., Mallam, S.P, Ibeanu I.G.E and Onoja, R.A (2004).  Characterization  of Gross Alpha/Beta Proportional Counter: Nig. Journal of Physics  16(1). Pp  13- 18

Alabi, A. (2001): Analysis of Fadama Water, Soil and Vegetables for Heavy Metal. Unpublished. B.Sc Thesis Ahmadu Bello University Zaria.

Alan, M. and Samuel, A. (1992). An Introduction to  Radiation  Protection.  London, New York pp. 6-9.

Ali, N. (2004). Survey on Aspects of Pollution of Makera Drain, a Tributary of River Kaduna: Unpublished M.Sc. Thesis, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

Alison, P.C. (1968). Radiation Biology. Prentice – Hall Inc. New Jersey pp. 62-63 Health Association, Washington. Pp. 71-77.

StudentsandScholarship Team.