Department of Geology

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://irepos.unijos.edu.ng/handle/123456789/11470

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    Uranium Concentration in Groundwater and Assessment of Radiation Doses Within Naraguta Sheet 168, North Central Nigeria
    (Journal of Environment and Earth Science, 2018) Abiye Olatunji Solomon; Paul Olusegun Ogunleye; Raymond Ishaya Daspan; Nestor Monday Chagok; Igah Sabastine Otebe
    Water samples collected from 60 wells located within Naraguta Sheet 168 in North Central Nigeria were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for uranium concentrations and other selected trace elements. This is aimed at assessing the radiation dose arising from intake of uranium through drinking water pathway for different age groups in the area. Results obtained show that uranium concentration in groundwater within the study area is generally within the acceptable reference level of 0.1mSv/y except in some places around Bukuru, Rayfield and Bishichi areas underlain mainly by the Jos-Bukuru Younger Granite Complex. The uranium values in groundwater within Naraguta Sheet 168 vary from 0.02-168.7 ppb, representing an activity concentration of 0.516-4.353 mBq/l. Radiation dose due to intake of uranium through drinking water pathway from the area is calculated to be 0.045-378.098 (μSv/y) among infants of 0-6 months, 0.051-432.112 (μSv/y) among infants of 7-12 months, 0.029-247.829 (μSv/y) among children between 1-3 years of age, and 0.026-216.056 (μSv/y) for children between 4-8 years. For 9-13 years old male children, it is 0.031-259.267 (μSv/y), while for the female children of the same age range, it is 0.031-259.267 (μSv/y). Male teenagers of between 14-18 years receives 0.042-351.250 (μSv/y) and female in the same age category receives 0.042-244.811 (μSv/y). Among the adult males older than 18 years, the radiation dose is 0.031-264.710 (μSv/y) and among females of 18 years and above, it is 0.023-193.021 (μSv/y). With effective dose due to uranium in water exceeding the reference level of 0.1mSv/y in some localities, it is therefore necessary to always carryout radiological investigations alongside analysis of major anions and cations present in the groundwater for safety reasons.
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    Preliminary Assessment of the Trace Element Composition of Dust from Two Granite Quarries from Jos Plateau and Their Possible Health Implications.
    (Journal of Environment and Earth Science, 2018) Daspan, R.I.; Obadiah, E.G.; Lekmang, I.C.; Dibal, H.U.; Chup,A.S.; Daku,S.; Wazoh,H.; Diyelmak,V.B.; Azi,B
    Quarrying of rocks has contributed to the development of many developed and developing nations. However, the entire process generates particulate pollution in the environment. The high level of particulates generated at the drilling and crushing areas depicts them as hazard zones. Moreover, quarry workers and communities living in proximity to these hazard zones are exposed to various health risks. In view of this fact, this research was carried out to determine the trace element concentration in the dust from Ric Rock and Satzen quarries, to establish their extent of contamination and deduce their possible human health implications. The results of As, Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn and Mo were interpreted based on their Pollution index (anthropogenic factor), enrichment index and index of geo-accumulation. The interpretation revealed that the Rick Rock dust is practically unpolluted with As, Cr, Co Cu, and Ni with deficiency to minimal enrichment, unpolluted to moderately polluted and enriched with Zn. The dust is also extremely polluted and severely enriched by Mo. On the other hand, Satzen dust is practically unpolluted by As, Cd Cr, Co, Cu , Ni, Pb and Zn with deficiency to minimal enrichment. It is practically unpolluted to moderately polluted and enriched by Mo. With respect to the selected elements and their contamination status, Rick rock dust has been contaminated with Cd, Pb, Mo, and Zn and Satzen dust has been contaminated with Mo. The elemental enrichment in the dust samples collected from Rick Rock quarry is higher than those from Satzen quarry and can be attributed to oil spillage and emission from trucks and diesel powered generator which is the only source of power supply to the quarry and work throughout the period of quarry operations. This enriched the elemental concentration in the dust. Satzen quarry, on the other hand, uses electricity from Power Generation Company which eliminated such enrichment contribution in the dust. However the enrichment of Mo in the dust may be attributed to oil spillage and combustion of fossil fuel from heavy duty trucks used for the quarry operation. Geochemical analysis of quarry dust from Ric Rock and Satzen quarries showed that the concentration of trace elements in the dust exceeds the permissible limit set by WHO. Some of which are very harmful to human health even at very low concentration exposure. It is certain that long exposure of quarry workers and those living in close proximity via Inhalation, ingestion and percutaneous absorption can result to various health challenges. The release of these trace elements in high concentration by quarry companies enriching their concentration in the environment, polluting air, soil and both surface and ground water which variably affects human, animal and plants through the chain causes diseases and eventual death of man.
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    Geotechnical investigations for infrastructural development: A case study of Daki Biyu District, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Central Nigeria
    (Journal of Geology and Mining Research, 2016-08) Lekmang, I. C; Daku, S. S; Yenne, E. Y; Wazoh, H. N; Goyit, M. P.
    The geotechnical properties of Daki Biyu district in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria was investigated to ascertain the suitability of the sub-surface soil to support massive infrastructure such as high rise building and industries that might be carried out in the future. The particle size distribution shows that the soil is predominantly sandy-clay to sandy-gravels. The plasticity indices suggest low to medium compressibility while the co-efficient of volume change (Mv) and the coefficient of consolidation (Cv) are generally low for most of the pressure ranges. The average allowable bearing capacity values of 150 kN/m2 -240 kN/m2 and an average of 460 kN/m2 -700 kN/m2 for the ultimate bearing capacity agrees with the national building code (1983) for safe bearing capacity for cohesion less soils. The sub-surface soils were found to possess good geotechnical properties that are capable of supporting infrastructural development.