Radiological monitoring and statistical approach of primordial and anthropogenic radionuclides in surface soil of Mami-water site in the Western Cameroon

• Published in: Environmental earth sciences Vol. 76; no. 17; p. 1
• Main Authors: Nguelem, E. J. M., Ndontchueng, M. M., Motapon, O., Guembou, C. J. S., Darko, E. O.
• Format: Journal Article Web Resource
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.09.2017; Springer Nature B.V; Springer
• Subjects: Aluminum base alloys; Anthropogenic factors; Bauxite; Bauxite deposit; Bayer process; BEGe6350 detector; Biogeosciences; Bricks; Building materials; Caesium 137; Cells; Construction materials; Earth and Environmental Science; Earth Sciences; Energy; Environmental Science and Engineering; Gamma radiation; Gamma rays; Gaussian distribution; Geochemistry; Geology; Germanium; Human influences; Hydrology/Water Resources; Multivariate statistical analysis; Normal distribution; Original Article; Parameters; Physical, chemical, mathematical & earth Sciences; Physics; Physique; Physique, chimie, mathématiques & sciences de la terre; Population (statistical); Radiation; Radioactivity; Radioisotopes; Radiological impact; Radionuclide kinetics; Safety; Samples; Skewed distributions; Soil; Soil investigations; Soil water; Soils; Spectrometry; Statistical analysis; Statistical methods; Statistics; Surface boundary layer; Surface layers; Surface soil; Terrestrial Pollution; Cameroon; BEGe6350 detector; Gamma radiation; Statistical analysis; Bauxite deposit; Surface soil; Radiological impact
• ISSN: 1866-6280; 1866-6299; 1866-6299
• DOI: 10.1007/s12665-017-6951-8

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.