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Determination of Gross Alpha and Beta Radioactivity in Underground Water at Gboko and its Environs

Author Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Physics, Benue State University Makurdi, Benue State, NIGERIA

Res. J. Physical Sci., Volume 3, Issue (6), Pages 1-9, August,4 (2015)

Abstract

Fifteen samples of water from hand dug wells and boreholes were selected using a stratified random sampling. Ten (10mils) of concentrated nitric acid were added to each one litre of the sampled water for preservation. The samples were then evaporated and counted for Gross Alpha and Beta using MPC 2000 model gas filled proportional counter. Results show that, the range of alpha activity in water in the area was 0.309 to 14.488 Bq/L, with geometric mean of 6.576±0.328 Bq/L. The range of beta activity was 0.024 to 27.477 Bq/L with geometric mean, 11.16±0.42 Bq/L. The overall results show that, the alpha and beta activity have their values above WHO and USEPA recommended practical screening level of radioactivity in drinking water.

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