TITLE:
Assessment of Natural Radioactivity in Rivers Sediment and Soil from the Copper Belt Artisanal Mining Region, Democratic Republic of the Congo
AUTHORS:
Emmanuel K. Atibu, João M. Oliveira, Margarida Malta, Marta Santos, Crispin K. Mulaji, Pius T. Mpiana, Fernando P. Carvalho
KEYWORDS:
Natural Radioactivity, Gamma-Ray Spectrometry, Alpha-Particle Spectrometry, Artisanal Mining Activity, Radiological Hazard
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection,
Vol.9 No.7,
July
15,
2021
ABSTRACT: The concentrations and distribution of naturally
occurring radionuclides (238U, 235U, 234U, 230Th, 226Ra, 210Pb, 232Th, 228Ra, and 40K) were determined by alpha and gamma spectrometry in
soil and sediments collected from Luilu and Dilala rivers located in the mining
district of Kolwezi (Lualaba Province) of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The average concentrations of 238U and 226Ra in the
analyzed samples were 5 - 10 times higher than the world average values for soil provided by the United Nations Scientific
Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation. However, the average concentrations of 232Th were
found similar to the world average. In both river basins, artisanal mining
activities and mineral washing sites
displayed the higher concentration values of radionuclides. The mean values of
health risk indices calculated for those sites were found significantly higher compared to world average levels.
Radiation protection measures seem needed to ensure the radiation safety of
local populations.
Graphical Abstract