Investigation of radionuclide concentration in Ildabey water source Eyl Somalia
Abstract The presence of naturally occurring radionuclides in drinking water can lead to long-term health risks from internal radiation exposure. Therefore, conducting a radiological assessment of water sources is essential to evaluate potential hazards, ensure public safety, and verify compliance w...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Springer
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Discover Applied Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-025-07355-w |
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| Summary: | Abstract The presence of naturally occurring radionuclides in drinking water can lead to long-term health risks from internal radiation exposure. Therefore, conducting a radiological assessment of water sources is essential to evaluate potential hazards, ensure public safety, and verify compliance with international health guidelines. This study investigates the concentrations of radionuclides and associated radiological hazards in the Ildabey water source, located in Eyl, Somalia. Water samples were collected from three zones (Zone A—initial flow, Zone B—rocky downstream, Zone C—stagnant storage) to represent varying geological and hydrological conditions. High-Purity Germanium (HPGe) gamma-ray spectroscopy was used to quantify activity concentrations of Uranium-238 (238U), Thorium-232 (232Th), Radium-226 (226Ra), Radon-222 (222Rn), and Potassium-40 (40K), while a Liquid Scintillation Counter measured gross alpha and beta radiation. The results showed 238U concentrations ranging from 3.50 ± 0.97 to 9.30 ± 1.17 Bq/l, and 226Ra from 0.60 ± 0.07 to 2.70 ± 0.93 Bq/l, with some values exceeding World Health Organization (WHO) recommended limits. The committed effective dose (CED) due to ingestion ranged from 0.4301 to 1.1344 mSv/year, with an average of 0.7005 mSv/year, significantly surpassing the WHO guideline of 0.1 mSv/year. Radiological hazard indices such as radium equivalent activity, external and internal hazard indices were also computed, confirming the presence of moderate radiological risk. These findings underscore the need for regular radiological monitoring and public health interventions to ensure the safety of water used for human consumption in the region. |
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| ISSN: | 3004-9261 |