Top soil environmental radioactivity in Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria

Abstract

A survey of top soil environmental radioactivity in Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria has bean investigated. The results vary considerably from one environment to another ranging between a minimum of 161 mBq · g-1 and a maximum value of 648 mBq · g-1 αβγ-activity. The work reveals that hospitals and health centers lead in top soil radioactivity with the highest mean values of αβγ (378 mBq · g-1) and α (294 mBq · g-1) followed closely by industrial areas with mean values of αβγ (372 mBq · g-1) and α (283 mBq · g-1) trailing beaches and recreation centers having average values of αβγ (364 mBq · g-1) and α (273 mBq · g-1). Lower levels of top soil radioactivity were observed mostly in environments with high level human interaction activity such as schools, offices, environments and recreation centres. An overall top soil mean of 342 mBq · g-1 αβγ- activity, 271 mBq · g-1 α-activity and 71 mBq · g-1 βγ-activity were observed in the State.