Natural radioactivity assessments and radiological hazards in agricultural soils around mining activities in Karibib, Namibia

A total of 17 soil samples were randomly collected from agricultural farms around mining areas from Karibib, Erongo region, Namibia. The samples were analyzed for natural radioactivity using a high purity germanium (HPGe) detector. The average activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K were 80....

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nuclear Analysis 2025-01, p.100155, Article 100155
Main Authors: Onjefu, Sylvanus Ameh, Ebibuloami, Biere Peter, Kamunda, Caspah, Hitila, Markus, Mutorwa, Marius Kudumo, Kennedy, Jeya Kudi, Hess, Euodia, Onwudiwe, Damian C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Absorbed dose rate
Agricultural soil
Natural radioactivity
Radiological hazards
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Summary:A total of 17 soil samples were randomly collected from agricultural farms around mining areas from Karibib, Erongo region, Namibia. The samples were analyzed for natural radioactivity using a high purity germanium (HPGe) detector. The average activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K were 80.80, 73.60, and 493.96 Bq.kg – 1 respectively. The radiological assessments were calculated in terms of radium equivalent activity (224.09 Bq.kg – 1), absorbed dose rate (102.39 nGy h-1), annual effective dose equivalent (indoor and outdoor) (1.26 mSv y – 1 and 5.02 mSv y – 1) and the internal and external hazard indices (0.61) and (0.82) respectively. The average values of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K were higher than the world average values as well as those of the radiological parameters of absorbed dose rate and annual effective dose equivalent. The average values of radium equivalent activity, and the indices radiological hazards were below the internationally acceptable limits. The paper looks at the study of natural radioactivity in agricultural soils around Karibib mining area of the Erongo region of Namibia. The samples were analyzed using a high purity germanium (HPGe) detector. The study found that the activity levels of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K were higher than recommended limits as well as those of the radiological parameters of absorbed dose rate and annual effective dose equivalent. These suggest that soil around the mining areas is not recommended for agricultural activities.
ISSN:2773-1839
2773-1839
DOI:10.1016/j.nucana.2025.100155