Assessment of background radiation in some parts of Canaanland Ogun state, southwestern Nigeria using integrated geophysical techniques

Abstract

Radioactivity in soil occurs naturally due to the presence of 238U, 232Th and 40K. Undue exposure of humans to these radiations can result in some serious health problems. There is need to have adequate information on the level of radiation that is available around us in order to take adequate measures for protection. Electrical resistivity and radiometric methods were used in this study. The results by the radiometric method revealed the activity concentrations of U, Th and K to vary from 12.658 Bq kg-1 - 42.299 Bq kg-1, 44.9645 Bq kg-1 -128.702 Bq kg-1 and 31.3Bq kg-1 - 453.85 Bq kg-1, respectively. The result of the electrical resistivity method varied between 75 and 2025 Ωm. Finally, it was observed that region of high resistivity was prone to higher level of radiation, which could be as a result of some radioactive geological features in the subsurface.