Radiological Implications of Industrial Activities on Soil and Water: An Environmental Analytical Chemistry Perspective in Artisanal Gold-Mining Regions of Atiwa West
Source abstract
Abstract
Artisanal gold mining can enhance natural radioactivity in nearby environmental media. This study assessed health risks and environmental impacts associated with the release of natural radionuclides in Atiwa West, Ghana. Activities of naturally occurring radionuclides were measured in soil samples (Ra-226, Th-232, K-40) and water samples (Ra-226, Ra-228, K-40) by HPGe γ-spectrometry; Ra-226 in vegetation was estimated from soil activities using a transfer factor. The mean activity concentrations in soils were 22.1 ± 2.1 Bq/kg (Ra-226), 27.5 ± 2.3 Bq/kg (Th-232) and 198 ± 22 Bq/kg (K-40). At several water locations, Ra-226 and Ra-228 exceeded the WHO screening levels for drinking water of 1.0 Bq/L and 0.1 Bq/L, respectively. Radiological hazard indices attributable to inhalation and ingestion were evaluated. Overall, soil radiological risks were low; however, approximately 22% of sites recorded values above the global average annual gonadal dose equivalent (AGDE). In some locations, the committed effective dose from drinking water surpassed the WHO screening threshold of 0.1 mSv/y, with the associated excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) exceeding 2.9 × 10−4. Overall, the mining-affected waters presented a greater potential radiological impact than the soils, underscoring the need for water quality management and periodic monitoring in artisanal mining areas.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Radioactivity and Radon Measurements · Geochemistry and Geologic Mapping · Radiation Dose and Imaging
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Department of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, University of Pannonia, 8200 Veszprem, Hungary
Radiation Protection Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Accra P.O. Box LG 80, Ghana
GIS Department, Wallulel Ghana Ltd., Accra P.O. Box AN 1133, Ghana
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