Assessment of elevated levels of natural radioactivity in groundwater of artisanal gold and gemstone mining sites and estimation of concomitant risk using Monte Carlo simulation approach

IF 2.8 3区物理与天体物理 Q3 CHEMISTRY, PHYSICAL

Radiation Physics and Chemistry Pub Date : 2025-04-16 DOI:10.1016/j.radphyschem.2025.112823

M.O. Isinkaye , P.O. Fasanmi , M.U. Khandaker , M.I. Sayyed , Mohamed Y. Hanfi

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

This study investigates the occurrence of elevated levels of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORMs) in groundwater within the artisanal gold and gemstone mining areas of Southwest Nigeria by using gamma spectrometric method. Artisanal mining operations are known for their potential environmental impacts through the release of NORMs into the environment. The presence of elevated concentrations of NORMs in groundwater can pose significant risks to both human health and the ecosystem. The results show that the mean activity concentrations of NORMs in groundwater samples from the various mining sites were 220.35 ± 64. 43 Bq/L for 40K, 10.53 ± 1.80 Bq/L for 238U and 17.42 ± 3.92 Bq/L for 232Th. All these values exceed the respective limits recommended by World Health Organization (WHO) as safe values for drinking water. Monte Carlo simulations was employed to assess the extent of contamination and the associated risks due to the ingestion of NORMs through the groundwater samples. The assessment of radiological risks via deterministic and probabilistic methods shows that the groundwater of the study area portend a significant risk to the population. Based on the results, it can be concluded that the groundwater of the study area contained elevated levels of NORMs.

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利用蒙特卡罗模拟方法评估手工黄金和宝石采矿场地下水中天然放射性水平的升高和对伴随风险的估计

本研究利用伽马谱法调查了尼日利亚西南部手工黄金和宝石矿区地下水中天然存在的放射性物质（规范）水平升高的情况。手工采矿作业因向环境中释放规范而对环境产生潜在影响而闻名。地下水中标准浓度升高可能对人类健康和生态系统构成重大风险。结果表明，各矿区地下水样品中规范的平均活度浓度为220.35±64。40K为43 Bq/L， 238U为10.53±1.80 Bq/L， 232Th为17.42±3.92 Bq/L。所有这些数值都超过了世界卫生组织（世卫组织）建议的饮用水安全数值。采用蒙特卡罗模拟来评估污染程度以及由于通过地下水样本摄入规范而产生的相关风险。采用确定性和概率方法进行的放射性风险评估表明，研究区地下水对人群存在显著的放射性风险。结果表明，研究区地下水中含有超标的地下水。

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来源期刊

Radiation Physics and Chemistry 化学-核科学技术

CiteScore

5.60

自引率

17.20%

发文量

574

审稿时长

12 weeks

期刊介绍： Radiation Physics and Chemistry is a multidisciplinary journal that provides a medium for publication of substantial and original papers, reviews, and short communications which focus on research and developments involving ionizing radiation in radiation physics, radiation chemistry and radiation processing. The journal aims to publish papers with significance to an international audience, containing substantial novelty and scientific impact. The Editors reserve the rights to reject, with or without external review, papers that do not meet these criteria. This could include papers that are very similar to previous publications, only with changed target substrates, employed materials, analyzed sites and experimental methods, report results without presenting new insights and/or hypothesis testing, or do not focus on the radiation effects.