Natural occurring radioactive materials (NORMs) from mining sites in Nigeria: A systematic review of geographical distribution and public health concern

Paul, Samuel N.; Frazzoli, Chiara; Sikoki, F.D.; Babatunde, B. B.; Orisakwe, Orish Ebere

doi:10.1016/j.jenvrad.2022.106889

Cited by 7 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 57 publications

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“…Specifically, uranium mining activities involve minerals from uranium deposits that are rich in 238 U and 232 Th decay series nuclides, as well as 40 K [14,15]. During uranium mining and processing, these natural radionuclides can be released from ore minerals [16], leading to media contamination, as well as food and water contamination due to various pollutants originating from mining operations [17,18]. Currently, the global accumulation of uranium tailings exceeds 2 billion tons [14], with only a small fraction of old abandoned tailings ponds having been remediated [6].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Geochemical Distribution and Environmental Risks of Radionuclides in Soils and Sediments Runoff of a Uranium Mining Area in South China

Li,

Wang,

Zhang

et al. 2024

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Uranium mining activities have contributed to the distribution and uptake of radionuclides, which have increased the active concentrations of natural radionuclides in environmental media, causing elevated human health risks. The present study aims to assess the spatial distribution characteristics of natural radionuclides in the surface soils and river sediments of the typical granite uranium mining area in South China, as well as investigate the geochemical features of natural radionuclides in the soil and sediments to understand their migration processes. The activity concentrations for 238U, 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K ranged from 17–3925 Bq/kg, 50–1180 Bq/kg, 29–459 Bq/kg, and 240–1890 Bq/kg, respectively. The open-pit mining areas and tailings pond locations exhibited the highest concentrations of activity for all these radionuclides. This distribution points to an elevated potential health risk due to radiological exposure in these specific areas. Additionally, the values of radium equivalent activity (Raeq) and annual gonadal dose equivalent (AGDE) in those areas were higher than the limits recommended by ICRP (2021). 238U and 226Ra have a significant correlation (0.724), and the cluster analysis was showing a statistically meaningful cluster below 5 indicated that they have similar behavior during parent rock weathering and watershed erosion, and the distribution of 232Th and 40K were influenced by the addition of rock types. The activity ratios of 226Ra/238U, 226Ra/232Th, 238U/40K, and 226Ra/40K variation indicated that 40K more mobile than 226Ra and 238U, U(VI) was reduced to U(IV) by organic matter in the downstream area and re-entered into the sediment during the sediment surface runoff in the small watershed of the uranium ore open-pit mining area. Therefore, it is necessary to further seal up and repair the tailings landfill area.

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