Activity and Corresponding Mass Concentrations of 40K and 238U in Well Waters from Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

Ago-Iwoye, situated on the basement complex has similar geological setting to Abeokuta which had been reported to be significantly high in radioactivity when compared to the world’s average. The major source of water for the populace in Ago-Iwoye was from the wells dug at different locations across the town. The ²³⁸U and ⁴⁰K concentrations in the water samples were measured using gamma-ray spectroscopy method and the health risks due to consumption of the waters were determined. The mean activity concentrations were 25.1±10.7 Bql^-1 for ⁴⁰K and 3.1±2.9 Bql^-1 for ²³⁸U. The corresponding mean mass concentrations for ⁴⁰K and ²³⁸U were 462.02±217.47 µgl^-1 and 52.6±53.18µgl^-1 respectively. The mean cancer mortality and morbidity risks due to ²³⁸U in the well water samples were respectively (1.09±1.11) x 10^-4 and (1.68±1.69) x 10^-4. The cancer mortality and morbidity risks were less than the reported world average of 1.0x10^-3.

Keywords: Ago-Iwoye, radiological effects, well waters, cancer mortality, basement complex