Title: Assessment of environmental and radiological health hazards due to heavy metals and radionuclides contents in utility water reservoirs' sediments

Authors: Omoniyi Matthew Isinkaye; James Ibitoye Agbi; Yinka Ajiboye; Romanus Ayoola Obasi

Addresses: Department of Physics, Ekiti State University, P.M.B. 5363 Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria ' Department of Physics, Adekunle Ajasin University, P.M.B. 1, Akungba Akoko, Nigeria ' Department of Physics, Afe Babalola University, P.M.B. 5454 Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria ' Department of Geology, Ekiti State University, P.M.B. 5363 Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria

Abstract: Heavy metals and natural radionuclides in sediments of Awara and Osse reservoirs, Ondo State, Nigeria have been measured using X-ray fluorescence and γ-ray spectrometry techniques. Heavy metals detected in the two reservoirs include K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Ba, Pb and Th. The average concentrations of the measured heavy and trace metals in the sediment of Awara dam vary as Fe>K>Ca>Mn>Ti> Sr>Cr>V>Rb>Zn>Ni>Cu while those of Osse dam vary as Ba>K>Fe>Ca> Mn>Sr>Ti>V>Rb>Cr>Zn>Ni>Th>Pb>Cu. Geoaccumulation index and enrichment factor evaluation of potentially toxic heavy metal contents in both reservoirs revealed that the two reservoirs are uncontaminated with hazardous heavy metals. Naturally occurring radionuclides (40K and 232Th) detected in the two reservoirs show values that are higher than their mean crustal value, while 226Ra is lower than the world mean crustal value. There is little or no ecological or radiological risk associated with the sediment of the two reservoirs.

Keywords: heavy metal; X-ray fluorescence; enrichment factor; EF; geoaccumulation index; natural radioactivity; radiation dose; Nigeria.

DOI: 10.1504/IJENVH.2017.086182

International Journal of Environment and Health, 2017 Vol.8 No.3, pp.235 - 251

Received: 15 Nov 2016
Accepted: 09 Mar 2017

Published online: 29 Aug 2017 *

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