Radiation background from rock samples and hazards assessment: case of Mounana in Gabon
by Sylvere Yannick Loemba Mouandza; Alain-Brice Moubissi; Patrice Ele Abiama; Thierry Blanchard Ekogo; Maïk Delon Mboumba; Philippe Ondo Meye; Germain Hubert Ben-Bolie
International Journal of Low Radiation (IJLR), Vol. 11, No. 3/4, 2020

Abstract: The aim in this present work is to determine the specific activities of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K in rock samples collected from Mounana in Gabon, to assess the contribution of natural radioactivity. A p-type high-purity germanium detector has been coupled with a multichannel analyser DSA-1000 to perform measurements and data processing. The energy resolution of the 1332 keV⁶⁰Co line is still found to be 1.8 keV at FWHM, with a relative efficiency of 30%. The specific activities average values of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K are 6554±198 Bq/kg, 63±12 Bq/kg and 513±93 Bq/kg, respectively wet weight. To assess the radiological risks due to ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K, many parameters were estimated. The average value of annual effective dose was 18.95 mSv from the studied area. Rock from Mounana presents a high radioactivity, and we are planning to measure radon in homes to assess the risks of living in Mounana.

Online publication date: Wed, 10-Mar-2021

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