Radiological monitoring and statistical approach of primordial and anthropogenic radionuclides in surface soil of Mami-water site in the Western Cameroon
The study referred to measure activity concentrations of some primordial radionuclides and anthropogenic of 137 Cs in soil samples of Mami-water in the Menoua subdivision, Dschang employing gamma-ray spectrometry-based characterized Broad Energy Germanium (BE6350) detector and a comparison of radiol...
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Published in | Environmental earth sciences Vol. 76; no. 17; p. 1 |
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Main Authors | , , , , |
Format | Journal Article Web Resource |
Language | English |
Published |
Berlin/Heidelberg
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
01.09.2017
Springer Nature B.V Springer |
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | The study referred to measure activity concentrations of some primordial radionuclides and anthropogenic of
137
Cs in soil samples of Mami-water in the Menoua subdivision, Dschang employing gamma-ray spectrometry-based characterized Broad Energy Germanium (BE6350) detector and a comparison of radiological and safety impact parameters on human due to primordial radioactivity in soil with some internationally approved values. In addition, statistical analysis of primordial radionuclides of
226
Ra,
232
Th and
40
K was performed to evaluate the distribution and the interrelation of radionuclides. Samples were randomly collected from a depth of about 0 to 5 cm from the top surface layer. Each of the sampling points was considered as being overlaid with a grid and subdivided into cells. The observed radioactivity level of
226
Ra,
232
Th and
40
K in the investigated soil samples was compared with some published data available in some countries including Cameroon and observed varying within some reported data of radioactivity in soil from bauxite ore deposit.
235
U and
137
Cs were found in very few samples with a very low average of activity concentrations. In the majority of the samples, the observed radiological safety parameters seem to be greater than the internationally approved values. Consequently, using bricks made of soil as building materials might lead to an increase in radiation risk for the population. Multivariate statistical analysis of activity concentrations of primordial radionuclides performed showed an asymmetrical distribution with more peaked than Gaussian distribution and relatively flatter distribution of radionuclides in soil. In addition, a good positive interrelation between
226
Ra and
232
Th was observed and a weak negative one observed between
40
K and
226
Ra–
232
Th. |
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Bibliography: | scopus-id:2-s2.0-85028631145 |
ISSN: | 1866-6280 1866-6299 1866-6299 |
DOI: | 10.1007/s12665-017-6951-8 |