Analysis of Natural Radioactivity in Soil Samples by Gamma Spectrometry and Evaluation of Radiological Risk in Yaadga Region of Burkina Faso — Oak Academic Publishing
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Analysis of Natural Radioactivity in Soil Samples by Gamma Spectrometry and Evaluation of Radiological Risk in Yaadga Region of Burkina Faso
Physics Department, Virtual University of Burkina Faso, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
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Physics and Chemical Department, Institute of Sciences and Technology, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
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Physics Department, University Norbert Zongo, Koudougou, Burkina Faso
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Institute for Research in Applied Sciences and Technologies, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
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Laboratory of Materials and Environment, University Joseph Ki-Zerbo, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
1 Physics Department, Virtual University of Burkina Faso, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
2 Physics and Chemical Department, Institute of Sciences and Technology, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
3 Physics Department, University Norbert Zongo, Koudougou, Burkina Faso
4 Institute for Research in Applied Sciences and Technologies, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
5 Laboratory of Materials and Environment, University Joseph Ki-Zerbo, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
The activity concentrations of primordial Radionuclides such as 238 U, 232 Th and 40 K in soil samples taken in the Yaadga Region of Burkina Faso around the gold mining site of Seguenega were measured by Gamma Spectrometry using High Purity Germanium detector. Radiological hazard assessment due to such natural radioactivity was also investigated. The average activity concentration of 238 U, 232 Th and 40 K were found to be 18.97 ± 1.43 Bq.kg − 1 , 22.98 ± 0.96 Bq.kg − 1 and 212.72 ± 29.75 Bq.kg − 1 respectively. The average absorbed dose was 0.032 µGy/h whereas the Annual Committed Effective Dose was 0.040 ± 0.002 mSv.y − 1 . The average radium equivalent activity concentration was 69.11 Bq.kg − 1 . The external and internal Hazard indices were 0.18 and 0.24 respectively which are at least four times less than one. The mean effective dose rate, the mean values of Ra eq , and H ex and H in for the studied area are below their respective permissible limits, thus indicating that radiation hazard is not significant in this area.
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