Assessment of radiation hazards a result of natural radioactivity in water from Abyan delta, Yemen

Abstract

This paper presents the concentrations of naturally occurring radionuclides 226 Ra, 232 Th and 40 K measured in Groundwater collected from Abyan delta on Gulf of Aden in Yemen. Concentrations of radionuclides in samples were determined by gamma-ray spectrometer using HPGe detector with specially designed shield. The average activity concentrations were (1.71 ± 0.09 Bq l -1 ), (1.43 ± 0.05 Bq l -1 ) and (14.16 ± 0.45 Bq l -1 ) for 226 Ra, 232 Th and 40 K, respectively. The annual effective doses mSv y -1 due to ingestion of 226 Ra and 232 Th for different age groups were also calculated. The results compared with the recommended value reported by World Health Organization.

Natural Radioactivity in Groundwater in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province

“…In addition, Th typically forms complex compounds with ions in water either acidic or basic conditions. 232 Th concentrations observed in this study were averagely 1.0 ± 0.19 Bq L -1 , similar range of which was reported in groundwater samples collected in Yemen [9] and hot spring water samples in Jordan [15]. In contrast, the much lower concentrations of 232 Th in groundwater were mentioned in samples taken in Serbia [10].…”

“…Anyway, higher concentrations of 40 K were found in hot spring water samples studied in Jordan [15]. Similar concentrations were observed in groundwater samples monitored in Yemen [9]. Much lower concentrations were reported in a study of groundwater in Serbia [10].…”

“…The 40 K concentrations monitored in this study were in moderate level in comparison to elsewhere [8][9][10]15]. Theoretically, the abundance of 40 K activity observed in groundwater was usually explained by the relevance to potassium fertilizer application in agricultural activities and transportation through groundwater system.…”

“…Similarly, Zhuo et al (2001) [7] reported the maximum value of 0.93 Bq L -1 was found in groundwater sample taken in Fujian province (Table 2). Nevertheless, some samples contained higher concentrations of 226 Ra were observed in groundwater samples taken in Egypt [8] and Yemen [9] and Serbia [10]. However, there is a report of 226 Ra monitoring in groundwater samples taken in Roi-Et Province, northeastern part of Thailand [14].…”

Evaluation of Radiological Health Risks in Popularly Consumed Brands of Sachet Water in Nigeria

“…The average value, 66.22 Bq L −1 evaluated for 40 K is extremely higher than 0.194, 0.105, and 0.229 Bq L −1 reported from Jordan in tap water, drilled well-containing tap water, and rainwater, respectively ( 46 ). Also, the value exceeds the reported value of 14.16 Bq L −1 from Yemen in drinking surface water samples ( 18 ); 0.103 Bq L −1 reported from Turkey in surface and tap water ( 13 ); and 0.141, 2.19, 47.52, and 0.688 Bq L −1 in bottled water reported from Pakistan, Turkey, Iran, and Egypt, respectively ( 37 , 47 – 49 ). In the case of the radium isotopes ( 226 Ra and 228 Ra), which have attracted global health concern at high levels in water and food substances, a close observation in Table 1 shows that the concentrations of 228 Ra in 57% (20 samples) of the investigated samples are higher than the corresponding concentrations of 226 Ra.…”