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Soil-to-plant transfer factors of uranium and thorium in mining and non-mining districts of Ghana

Soil-to-plant transfer factors of uranium and thorium in mining and non-mining districts of Ghana

Edward Ankapong ¹, Opoku Gyamfi ¹, Victor Agyei ², Matt Dodd ³, Osei Akoto ⁴, Godfred Darko ⁴

Edward Ankapong ¹, Opoku Gyamfi ¹, Victor Agyei ²

¹Department of Chemistry Education, Akenten Appiah Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development, Asante Mampong, Ghana.
²Department of Biological Sciences Education, Akenten Appiah Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development, Asante Mampong, Ghana.
³School of Environment and Sustainability, Royal Roads University, Victoria, BC, Canada.
⁴Department of Chemistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.

⁰Department of Chemistry Education, Akenten Appiah Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development, Asante Mampong, Ghana.

Journal of Environmental Radioactivity +

|

November 15, 2024

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View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Natural radionuclide levels in Ghanaian soil and crops exceed safety limits, posing potential health risks. Cassava showed the highest uptake of uranium and thorium, with transfer factors surpassing international guidelines.

Area Of Science

Environmental Science
Radiological Science
Agricultural Science

Background

Mining activities can increase natural radionuclide concentrations in the environment.
Assessing radionuclide levels in soil and food crops is crucial for public health.
Ghana's mining districts may have elevated environmental radioactivity.

Purpose Of The Study

To determine activity concentrations of natural radionuclides in water, soil, and staple crops (cassava, cocoyam, yam) in Ghanaian mining and non-mining areas.
To estimate the absorbed dose rate in soil and soil-to-plant transfer factors (TF) for key radionuclides.
To compare findings with international safety standards and guidelines.

Main Methods

High-resolution gamma spectroscopy with a high-purity germanium detector was employed.
Measurements were conducted on water, soil, cassava, cocoyam, and yam samples.
Absorbed dose rates and soil-to-plant transfer factors (TF) were calculated.

Main Results

Soil absorbed dose rates in mining districts (Amansie, Konongo, Mampong) ranged from 198 to 224 nGy/h, exceeding the UNSCEAR recommended limit of 60 nGy/h.
Soil-to-plant transfer factors (TF) for 238U, 232Th, and 40K varied from 0.11-1.11, 0.03-2.39, and 0.03-22.07, respectively.
Cassava exhibited the highest TF for 238U (1.11) and 232Th (2.39), with values exceeding IAEA reported ranges.

Conclusions

Elevated soil absorbed dose rates in Ghanaian mining areas indicate potential radiological risks.
Cassava, cocoyam, and yam show significant transfer of natural radionuclides from soil, with transfer factors higher than international benchmarks.
Further research into radionuclide bioaccumulation in crops and potential health implications is warranted.

Keywords:

Annual committed dose Environmental contamination Radionuclides Soil pollution Transfer factor

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Related Concept Videos

The Soil Ecosystem

The Soil Ecosystem

Plants obtain inorganic minerals and water from the soil, which acts as a natural medium for land plants. The composition and quality of soil depend not only on the chemical constituents but also on the presence of living organisms. In general, soils contain three major components:

Inorganic mineral matter, which constitutes about 40 to 45 percent of the soil volume.
Organic matter, also known as humus, which makes up about 5 percent of the soil volume.
Water and air, covering about 50...

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