Abstract

Ionizing radiation is radiation with enough energy to remove tightly bound electrons from atoms, creating ions. Examples of this radiation include alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma rays. Ionizing radiation is harmful to living organisms, including humans, especially if ingested.

The overall objective of the work is to measure and analyze the alpha and beta radiation activities in the water samples and then use the findings to assess the water concentrations in relation to the radiation level. The study collected water samples from five sampling points in Mubi-North Metropolis and analyzed them through the use of a desktop Alpha/Beta counting machine or detector (MPG 2000B-DP).

The results of the analysis showed that ranges are 0.0027- 0.1982, 0.0023- 0.1746 Bq/kg for Uranium, Thorium and Radium emitter respectively. The overall conclusion drawn from the results is that alpha emitters in all the samples collected were lower than screening levels for radioactivity of drinking water, as recommended by agencies such as EPA, WHO, and GEG-FAO.

Keywords:Ionizing radiation; beta activity; Alpha activity; Concentration

Root Pressure

Water is the most important natural resource with numerous needs. Its origin dates to the creation of the universe itself, and efficient management of water bodies is required. All human activities including irrigation, generation of electricity, and domestic use rely on water. Its source is rain and underground water, in various forms such as rivers, wells, dams, lakes, and streams. But human activities and natural processes continuously contaminate these water sources, lowering their quality [1]. The contamination is due to the uncontrolled release of waste, sewage, and agricultural chemicals into rivers and the environment by industries, hospitals, and farmers using fertilizers [2]. The materials disposed of are typically radioactive substances. The primary sources of water are usually upland or deep groundwater from boreholes or wells. Though there is little chance of chemical pollution, there is a chance of radioactive pollution due to the rise in terrestrial radioactivity with depth in the Earth’s crust. Naturally occurring radioactive isotopes like those of the Uranium and Thorium series and their decay products like Radium and Radon are of particular concern [3]. They increase rain and groundwater radioactivity, in turn influencing the quality of drinking water. On the other hand, flowing water and spring water also come into contact with rocks that have other radioactive elements and thereby influence the immediate soil and vegetation. This water may transport these elements to wells, boreholes, and piped water via pipeline leakage [4]. Notably, certain radionuclides, such as Tritium, Potassium 40, Radium, and Radon, emit alpha, beta, and gamma radiation that is of health concern. Hence, measurement of the concentration of such radiation-emitting radionuclides in drinking water is significant.

The topic of this study is on the Mubi-North urban area of the local government area of Adamawa State. The research herein is particularly intended to be a study of underground water sources (such as boreholes and taps) that serve the community to drink and carry out domestic usage. The following letters of the alphabet will serve to describe varied study regions.
A = Shagari low cost bore hole close to jumma’a mosque
B = Wurogude behind river
C = ADSU water (faculty of Mag.Sci)
D = Lokuwa water adjacent emir palace
E = Federal polytechnic reservoir

Equipment’s and Materials

Beakers (Pyrex), Gloves, Oven, Hotplate, Plastic container (1-liter container), Blunt forceps, Analytical weighing balance, Spatula, Fume cupboard, Petri-dish (crucible), Planchet, Syringe and needle, Police man (rubber)

Reagents Use

Acetone, Nitric acid (HNO), Vinyl acetate

Sample selection

The sampling procedure used in this study is known as convenient sampling (Williams, 1977), and five (5) points of sampling were utilized.

Sampling Methodology

i. The sample receptacle was washed three times with the collected water to reduce potential contamination from its previous contents.
ii. A 1% airspace of the container volume was allowed to account for thermal expansion. The container is graduated to indicate the 1.0L sample volume equivalent to this airspace.
iii. Upon collection, 0.5ml of diluted nitric acid (HNO) was added immediately to the sample in order to lower its pH, thereby preventing precipitation, colloid formation, and adsorption of radioactivity onto the walls of the container.
iv. The sample was thereafter tightly sealed with the container lid and stored in the laboratory (as per ISO, 9697, and 9698:1992a standards) for analysis.

Sample Preparation

Sample preparation involved evaporating a one-liter sample without agitation on a hot plate at 60 degrees Celsius. This took approximately twenty-four hours to finish. The rest of the material was rinsed using distilled water with the assistance of a rubber scraper and then poured into a petri dish (crucible). The material was left to dry thoroughly at room temperature (approximately 25 degrees Celsius) [5]. The residue and the dish were weighed and recorded on the analytical weighing balance (Figure 1). The weight of the residue by itself was also determined and recorded. To extract the residue from the Petri dish, it was carefully scraped with a spatula and emptied into a sterilized 9/16 planchet [6-10]. This planchet, which contained the residue, was then put in an analytical digital weighing balance to achieve the necessary weight, which was approximately 77mg (Figure 2). Vinyl acetate was applied onto the residual material within the sample holder in order to eliminate any remaining moisture and prevent moisture absorption from the surrounding atmosphere (Figure 3). The prepared samples are now ready for the counting process. The planchet’s specimens were inserted into the drawer of the MPC-2000B-DP for the purpose of tallying [11-16].

Counting

The counting device is automatic. It entails inputting predetermined time intervals, recording voltage, and tracking the number of count cycles (Figure 4,5). One also inputs data about the counter characteristics (i.e., efficiency and background noise), sample volume, and sampling efficiency [17-23]. Results are shown in raw counts (count per millimeter), count rates, and activity levels. The data acquisition was simultaneous in both alpha and beta modes, and the choice of the counting mode was optional. The equations for the calculation of the count rate, activity, and other parameters for a specific sample are presented below [24-40]:

Where
De = the detector’s efficienc
Net counts(α ,β )= Raw(α ,β ) counts(CPM)-Background(α ,β ) (CPM)

Discussion Of Results

The results from the given Table 1 indicated that sample location E has the highest activities of concentration of Uranium, Thorium and Radium, while location B has the least. The results showed that sample location E, has the highest chance of radiation mutation.

Conclusion and Recommendation

Conclusion

The results achieved were below the recommended screening value of 0.5 Bq/L, hence are less harmful hazard.

In conclusion, the quality of water in these areas was in accordance with the World Health Organization (WHO) and United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) guidelines for alpha activity. Thus, no further screening is required in this regard.

Recommendations

i. An in-depth survey of not just Mubi-North but the entire Mubi town needs to be conducted.
ii. The method of preparing the sample should be better because one must be able to measure the dissolved material accurately in order to leave very little residue on the plate to be counted.
iii. Individuals consuming water from the source above are requested to file complaints to the Ministry of Health in a bid to initiate further beta radiation screening.
iv. Additionally, it would be advisable to perform gamma radiation readings in the water samples.
v. To broaden the scope of inquiry, it is advisable that the examination of surface water sources such as sea ponds and river water be added. This is very important as other artificial sources can cause an increase in radioactivity in water, which can result in health risks to the population.

Contribution to the Field of Knowledge

To my knowledge, no data on the gross alpha and beta radioactivity levels in drinking water of any part of Mubi-North is available. Therefore, this data can serve as the foundation for future data development and analysis.

Possible directions for additional research

Some of the villages in Mubi-North, such as Digil and Vimtim, and Mubi-South and nearby villages, present the potential for such studies. Nearby local governments such as Hong and Michika also present themselves as potential areas to study, with the ability to compare data.

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