Evaluation of Effective Doses from Natural Radioactivity in Soil and Plant Samples at Federal University Dutsin-Ma, Main Campus, Katsina State, Nigeria

Authors

Keywords:

Effective Doses, FUDMA, NORMs, Plant, Soil

Abstract

The presence of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMs) such as ⁴⁰K, ²²⁶Ra, and ²³²Th in soil and plant is a common environmental phenomenon due to their geogenic origin. Assessing their concentrations is essential for understanding radiological exposure risks, particularly within institutional and residential environments. This study investigated the levels of ⁴⁰K, ²²⁶Ra, and ²³²Th in soil and plant samples from the Federal University Dutsin-Ma (FUDMA) main campus using gamma-ray spectroscopy. In soil, activity concentrations ranged from 20.36–47.86 Bq/kg (²²⁶Ra), 21.03–64.57 Bq/kg (²³²Th), and 81.56–234.84 Bq/kg (⁴⁰K), with mean values of 33.43, 43.16, and 164.32 Bq/kg. Compared to UNSCEAR global averages, levels of ²²⁶Ra and ²³²Th were slightly elevated, while ⁴⁰K was lower. Plant samples showed lower activity: 13.73–43.91 Bq/kg (²²⁶Ra), 16.67–50.96 Bq/kg (²³²Th), and 19.63–75.61 Bq/kg (⁴⁰K), with averages of 25.06, 33.10, and 37.30 Bq/kg. Outdoor gamma dose rates ranged from 19.63–75.61 nGy/h (soil) and 17.93–47.90 nGy/h (plant), while indoor levels reached 134.09 nGy/h. Annual effective doses (AEDγ) from soil ranged from 0.64–1.43 mSv/yr (mean: 0.92), and from plant 0.20–0.50 mSv/yr (mean: 0.35), within the ICRP 1 mSv/yr public dose limit. Ingestion dose estimates (AEDing) revealed ²³²Th as the dominant contributor: 9.93×10⁻⁴ mSv/yr (soil) and 1.52×10⁻³ mSv/yr (plant). AGED values ranged from 198.37–490.59 mSv/yr in soil and 122.12–327.20 mSv/yr in plant, with soil averaging 334.64 mSv/yr above the global average of 300 mSv/yr. Locations near the Senate Building and Faculty of Life Sciences suggest potential localized risk, emphasizing the importance of regular monitoring and precautionary measures in high-occupancy zones.

Dimensions

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Annual Effectives Doses due to NORMs for soil and plant samples

Published

2025-10-23

How to Cite

Evaluation of Effective Doses from Natural Radioactivity in Soil and Plant Samples at Federal University Dutsin-Ma, Main Campus, Katsina State, Nigeria. (2025). Nigerian Journal of Theoretical and Environmental Physics, 3(3), 57-67. https://doi.org/10.62292/njtep.v3i3.2025.83

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 3 (2025): Nigerian Journal of Theoretical and Environmental Physics - Vol. 3 No. 3

Section

Articles
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How to Cite

Evaluation of Effective Doses from Natural Radioactivity in Soil and Plant Samples at Federal University Dutsin-Ma, Main Campus, Katsina State, Nigeria. (2025). Nigerian Journal of Theoretical and Environmental Physics, 3(3), 57-67. https://doi.org/10.62292/njtep.v3i3.2025.83