Geological interactions and radio‑chemical risks of primordial radionuclides 40K, 226Ra, and 232Th in soil and groundwater from potential radioactive waste disposal site in Ghana
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Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Springer
Abstract
This study assessed the infuence of geological depth and formation on activity concentrations of 232Th, 226Ra and 40K in
soil and groundwater, and radio-chemical health risks. Preference ranking organisation method for enrichment evaluation
and geometrical analysis for interactive aid indicated signifcant correlation between 232Th and 40K, thus indicating potential
similar primordial origin. Deepest depth rocks at 145 m and 148 m constituted of dark coloured silicifed schist exhibited
minimal activity with potential hydro-geological interactions with groundwater. Age-dependent annual efective ingestion
dose for 226Ra and 232Th are higher than the UNSCEAR reference dose, thus the groundwater is unsuitable for long-term
consumption.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Natural radioactivity, Radio-chemical risk, Multi-criteria decision making, Gamma spectrometry, Annual gonadal equivalent dose, Annual efective ingestion dose