Investigation of Radiological Baseline Parameters of Proposed Nuclear Facility Site in South - South Nigeria

Countries with insufficient electrical seek other alternatives amongst others in nuclear power. However, its perceived threats which adversely impact on people and the environment, has made radiological baseline assessment vital prior to nuclear power development. The aim was conducting radiological baseline evaluations on proposed nuclear power plant site in Itu, Southern, Nigeria situated at 5010’0” N; 7059’0” E. A systematic random method in demarcated radiological monitoring zones was employed, using RDS-31S/R survey meter, Hyper Pure Germanium detector and Channel Protean Instrument Corporation equipment. The Background Ionizing Radiation ranged from 0.041 ± 0.002 to 0.045 ± 0.002 μSv hr-1 with mean of 0.042 ± 002 μSv hr-1. Also, the gross alpha concentration ranged from 0.02 ± 0.01 to 0.15 ± 0.02 Bq L-1 with mean of 0.06 ± 0.014 Bq L-1, and gross beta concentration ranged between 0.015 ± 0.01 and 0.40±0.03 Bq L-1 with mean of 0.12±0.02 Bq L-1 for water samples. Furthermore, the mean activity concentration for soil, sediment samples were recorded as 47.98 ± 80 Bq kg-1, 15.15 ± 1.0 Bq kg-1, 38.65 ± 6,0 Bq kg-1 and 41.55 ± 6.0 Bq kg-1 for 226Ra, 238U, 232Th and 40K respectively. Lastly, 137Cs ranged from 1.08 ± 0.3 to 2.97 ± 0.4 Bq kg-1 with mean of 0.32 ± 0.1 Bq kg-1. The radiological hazard indices estimations for mean Gamma Dose Rate was 32.15 nGy hr-1, Annual Effective Dose Rate outdoors and indoor mean were 41.31 μSv yr-1 and 165.23 μSv yr-1, respectively. Radium Equivalent mean of 99.16 Bg kg-1, External Hazards index mean of 0.28 mSv yr-1. The Committed Effective Dose of 7.17 x10-02 mSv and 1.80x10-02 mSv were estimated water intake for adult and infant respectively. These analysed and evaluated values were within admissible limits. The evaluated hazard indices pose no significant radiological threat to humans and environment, and can be used to establish radiological baseline prior to commencement of the nuclear facility in the area.