Review of the status of radioactivity profile in the oil and gas producing areas of the Niger delta region of Nigeria

Abstract

There is widespread degradation of the environment of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria such that the United Nations Environment Program described it as an ecological wasteland. The contamination is due mainly to unregulated oil and gas production activities leading to oil spills and illegal disposal of contaminated materials, indiscriminate industrial and domestic discharges into water bodies. This widespread contamination includes naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) and technologically enhanced radioactive materials (TENORM). NORMs are naturally associated with every mineral in the earth crust, thus the exploitation of such minerals may transport NORM to the surface as TENORM. If uncontrolled by operators and unregulated by government agencies, NORM can find its way into surface and ground water, seafood and even crops consumed by humans. The Niger Delta region is the hub of oil and gas activities providing huge employment and socioeconomic benefits to its indigenes and accounting for more than 90% of foreign exchange earnings for the country. However, uncontrolled spills and discharges from these activities have left the land desolate, degrading most of its aquifers and surface waters, leaving the indigenes with a Hobson choice, eating and drinking contaminated substances everyday of their lives. It is expedient that attention be drawn to this area as radionuclides such as Po-210, Pb-210 and Ra-226 have been confirmed as radiotoxic and may be responsible for several new cases of health challenges reported in the study area over the years.