International Journal of
Physical Sciences

  • Abbreviation: Int. J. Phys. Sci.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1992-1950
  • DOI: 10.5897/IJPS
  • Start Year: 2006
  • Published Articles: 2572

Full Length Research Paper

Radionuclide concentration: The coal ash effect

Amakom M. Chijioke
  • Amakom M. Chijioke
  • Radiation and Health Physics Research Group, Department of Physics, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria.
  • Search for this author on:
  • Google Scholar
Orji E. Chikwendu
  • Orji E. Chikwendu
  • Radiation and Health Physics Research Group, Department of Physics, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria.
  • Search for this author on:
  • Google Scholar
Iroegbu Chinedu
  • Iroegbu Chinedu
  • School of Physical Science (SOPS), Department of Physics, Federal University Technology, Owerri, Nigeria.
  • Search for this author on:
  • Google Scholar
Eke C. Benedict
  • Eke C. Benedict
  • Radiation and Health Physics Research Group, Department of Physics, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria.
  • Search for this author on:
  • Google Scholar
Nkwoada U. Amarachi
  • Nkwoada U. Amarachi
  • School of Physical Science (SOPS), Department Chemistry, Federal University Technology, Owerri, Nigeria.
  • Search for this author on:
  • Google Scholar
Madu D. Afam
  • Madu D. Afam
  • Radiation and Health Physics Research Group, Department of Physics, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria.
  • Search for this author on:
  • Google Scholar
Ugochuwu G. Kosisochukwu
  • Ugochuwu G. Kosisochukwu
  • Radiation and Health Physics Research Group, Department of Physics, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria.
  • Search for this author on:
  • Google Scholar
Oforma J. Tochukwu
  • Oforma J. Tochukwu
  • Radiation and Health Physics Research Group, Department of Physics, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria.
  • Search for this author on:
  • Google Scholar


  •  Received: 10 February 2018
  •  Accepted: 14 May 2018
  •  Published: 16 August 2018

Abstract

Radionuclide concentrations in coal ash, soil mixed with coal ash and soil were determined using the gamma spectroscopic method. The average activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in coal ash samples were found as 35.0, 5.8, and 109.4 Bq/kg, respectively. The average activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in soil mixed with coal ash samples varied from 21.2 to 30.8, 48.6 to 82.7, and 162.5 to 180.1 Bq/kg, respectively. The activity concentrations of radionuclides from the non-mixed soil area, which serves as a control to this study ranged from 123.95 to 128.82, 16.33 to 18.38, and 46.63 to 50.30 Bq/kg, respectively for radionuclides 40K, 226Ra, and 232Th, respectively. From the radiological calculations, it was found that the use of coal ash as a soil additive contributed slightly to the radionuclide concentrations of the area under study.

Key words: Radionuclide, coal ash, radium equivalent, external and internal hazard index.

 

Copyright © 2024 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article.

This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

Back to Vol. 13 No. 15
Back to articles
SUBSCRIBE TO RSS
SUBMIT MANUSCRIPT
CONFERENCES