Environmental and Health Impacts: Presence of Radionuclides and Toxic Metals in Mining Areas in Niger State, Nigeria

Journal of Environmental Science and Management; Ebenezer  B. Faweya; Modupe  J. Ayeni; Taiwo  Adewumi; Olanrewaju  Faweya

doi:10.47125/jesam/2023_1/05

Journal of Environmental Science and Management
Ebenezer B. Faweya Ekiti State University
Modupe J. Ayeni
Taiwo Adewumi
Olanrewaju Faweya

DOI: https://doi.org/10.47125/jesam/2023_1/05

Abstract

The distribution of radionuclides and heavy metals (carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic) in soil and plants grown in lead contaminated areas were determined using gamma spectrometry and AAS (Atomic Absorption Spectrometry). The values of Dout (outdoor dose rate) and Din (indoor dose rate) were found to vary from 49.10 to 96.59 nGy h^-1with a mean value of 73.75 nGy h^-1and 97.30 to 191.67 nGy h^-1with a mean value of 143.39 nGy h^-1for Kawo; 51.64 to 105.26 nGy h^-1with a mean value of 75.36 nGy h^-1and 104.43 to 205. 87 nGy h^-1with a mean value of 157.13 nGy h^-1for Magiro. The weighted mean concentrations of Pb, Cu, Fe, Cr, Cd and Ni in mg kg^-1in soil and crop were (2.20,2.29), (3.14, 0.16), (15.10, 19.33), (0.16, 0.25), (0.24, 0.05), (0.43, 0.06) and (3.00, 3.18), (6.09, 0.34), (16.83, 10.10), (0.22,0.36), (0.25, 0.05), (0.43, 0.06) for Kawo and Magiro respectively. The total incremental lifetime cancer risk ΣILCR for both adults (0.73 x 10^-2) and children (1.03 x 10^-2) were above tolerable acceptable risk (given as 1 x 10^-6to 1 x 10^-4). Therefore, the areas need remedial action and proper monitoring.

Keywords: gamma-dose; lead; heavy-metals; radionuclides; sorghum