BASELINE RADIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF SOIL AND WATER AROUND DANGOTE REFINERY, PRIOR TO COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION IN LAGOS, NIGERIA

Authors

Keywords:

Natural Radionuclides, Radiological Assessment, Dangote Refinery, Environmental Monitoring, Gamma Spectrometry

Abstract

The increasing industrialization of urban landscapes necessitates comprehensive environmental safety evaluations, especially concerning radiological impacts. This study presents a pre-commercial production radiological assessment of soil and water in Dangote Refinery’s neighbourhood arising from the presence of the naturally occurring radionuclides - uranium-238 (238U), thorium-232 (232Th), and potassium-40 (40K). The investigation aims to establish baseline data on the activity concentrations of these radionuclides in soil and hand-dug well water samples collected from three communities within a 2.5 km radius of the refinery site. Sodium Iodide [NaI(Ti)] gamma spectrometry was employed for radionuclide analysis, with results interpreted in accordance with the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) guidelines. The results showed that the distribution of the radionuclides activity concentrations (Bq/kg) in soil samples falls between 8.00±1.91 and 12.00±4.95 for 238U, 8.00±1.38 and 10.00±5.43 for 232Th, 297.32±4.41 and 328.12±4.07 for 40K in soil samples; whereas in hand-dug well water samples, the activity concentration (Bqm-3) ranged between 8.00±1.91 and 12.00±4.95 for 238U, 8.00±1.21 and 10.00±5.43 for 232Th and 245.61±1.10 and 308.37±0.10 for 40K. The results are within globally accepted limits for natural background radiation specified by the UNSCEAR. The calculated radiological hazard indices also fell below the standard values for human safety as specified by UNSCEAR. This baseline data is essential for future comparative studies and environmental monitoring following the commencement of refinery operations. It also provides a scientific foundation for regulatory compliance and public health protection in the area.

Author Biographies

Olasoji I Adekoya

Department of Physical Science

Moradeyo. A. Adeniji

Department of Physical Science

Oluwanifemi F. Adebayo

Department of Science Laboratory Technology

Bunmi G. Bosede

Department of Physical Science

Olamide S. Oladapo

Department of Physical Science

Mawunah S. Honfor

Department of Science Laboratory Technology

Dimensions

Adeaga, O. and Adebayo, O. (2021). Assessment of spatiotemporal variation of rainfall in Lagos State. Environmental Research Communications, 3(6), 065004. https://doi.org/10.1088/2515-7620/abfc2b

Ajayi, O. S. and Ibikunle, S. B. (2013). Natural radioactivity in borehole water samples collected from old mining sites in Jos Plateau, Nigeria. Iranian Journal of Radiation Research, 11(1), 1–9.

Ali, M. M., Salih, I. A. M. and El-Khatim, A. R. M. (2022). Assessment of natural radioactivity in soil and associated radiological risks from petroleum industry in Sudan. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, 331, 303–314. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-021-07865-5

Avwiri, G. O. and Agbalagba, E. O. (2007). Survey of gross alpha and gross beta radionuclide activity in Okpare-Creek Delta State, Nigeria. Asian Network for Scientific Information Journal of Applied Sciences, 7(22), 3542–3546.

Bello, A. I., Adewoyin, O. O. and Oladipo, M. O. (2022). Radiological assessment of surface soils around a petrochemical plant in Nigeria. Radiation Physics and Chemistry, 198, 110235. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radphyschem.2022.110235

El-Taher, A. and Al-Amoudi, Z. M. (2023). Distribution and assessment of natural radionuclides and associated radiological risk in soils of Saudi Arabia. Radiation Protection Dosimetry, 201(3), 226–234. https://doi.org/10.1093/rpd/ncac147

El-Taher, A. and Alashrah, S. (2014). Radiological hazards of TENORM in the petroleum industry: Assessment and management. Applied Radiation and Isotopes, 87, 410–416. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apradiso.2013.12.003

EPA (2022). Radiation protection: Risk Assessment and Management. United States Environmental Protection Agency. https://www.epa.gov/radiation

IAEA (2003). Guidelines for Radioelement Mapping using Gamma Ray Spectrometry Data (IAEA-TECDOC-1363). International Atomic Energy Agency. https://www.iaea.org/publications/6705

IAEA (2010). Radiation Protection and Management of NORM Residues in the Oil and Gas Industry (Safety Reports Series No. 34). International Atomic Energy Agency. https://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1427_web.pdf

IAEA (2020). Environmental Impact Assessment of Nuclear Facilities: A Comparative Study (IAEA-TECDOC-1910). International Atomic Energy Agency.

ICRP (1991). 1990 Recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP Publication 60). Pergamon Press.

IRSN. (2009). Radiological Protection Assessment Report: Public Exposure and Lifetime Cancer Risk. Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety.

Jibiri, N. N., Farai, I. P. and Alausa, S. K. (2016). Estimation of annual effective dose due to natural radioactive elements in ingestion of foodstuffs in Tin mining area of Jos-Plateau, Nigeria. Radiation and Environmental Biophysics, 35(1), 29–36.

Krieger, R. (1981). Radioactivity of construction materials. Betonwerk und Fertigteil-Technik, 47, 468–473.

Máduar, M. F., and P. Miranda J. 2007. Gamma spectrometry in the determination of radionuclides comprised in radioactive series. In R. C. Barros (ed.), Proceedings of the International Nuclear Atlantic Conference, Santos SP, Brazil (pp. 224–229). Elsevier: Oxford, New York.

Nton, M. E. and Esan, T. B. (2010). Aspects of the sedimentology and depositional environment of parts of Eastern Dahomey Basin, Southwestern Nigeria. Int. J. of Geosciences, 2(2), 157–165.

Nubi, T. O. and Omirin, M. M. (2016). Urban land use planning and industrial development in Lagos: The Lekki free trade zone experience. Journal of Environmental Design and Mgt., 8(2), 23-35.

Nwankwo, C. N., Ukegbu, E. O. and Njoku, C. (2020). Assessment of radionuclides and radiological hazards in groundwater of parts of the Dahomey Basin, Southwestern Nigeria. Environmental Earth Sciences, 79, 1–16.

OECD-NEA (1979). Exposure to Radiation from the Natural Radioactivity in Building Materials. Nuclear Energy Agency, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Ogundare, F. O. and Adekoya, O. I. (2015). Gross alpha and beta radioactivity in sachet-packaged drinking water in Nigeria. Radiation Protection Dosimetry, 165(3), 343–350. https://doi.org/10.1093/rpd/ncv039

Olowoporoku, A. O., Olayiwola, M. A. and Alabi, M. O. (2020). Socio-economic implications of industrialization on host communities: A study of the Lekki free trade zone, Lagos State, Nigeria. J. of Urban and Env. Res., 4(1), 1–12.

Ononugbo, C. P., Avwiri, G. O. and Chad-Umoren, Y. E. (2016). Assessment of background ionizing radiation levels in parts of Abia State University, Nigeria. Int. J. of Env. Monitoring & Anal., 4(2), 37–44. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijema.20160402.14

Orosun, M. M., Jonah, S. A. and Usikalu, M. R. (2021). Natural radioactivity and radiological health risk assessment of surface soil samples from selected petroleum flow stations in Nigeria. Scientific African, 13, e00962. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sciaf.2021.e00962

Ramasamy, V., Suresh, G., Meenakshisundaram, V. and Balasubramanian, M. (2009). Evaluation of natural radionuclide content in river sediments and excess lifetime cancer risk due to gamma radioactivity. Res. J. of Env. and Earth Sci., 1(1), 6–10.

Ravindra, K., Rattan, P., Mor, S. and Aggarwal, A. N. (2020). Exposure risk to naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) in the petroleum industry and its environmental implications: A review. Env. Technology & Innovation, 20, 101080. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eti.2020.101080

Sojobi, A. O., Balogun, A. G. and Olorunfemi, B. J. (2016). Geotechnical assessment of foundation conditions in parts of Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos. Nigerian Journal of Environmental Sciences and Technology, 2(1), 98–108.

Thabayneh, K. M. and Jazzar, M. M. (2012). Natural radioactivity levels and estimation of radiation exposure in the soil of Tulkarem district, Palestine. Open J. of Soil Sci., 2(1), 7–16.

UNSCEAR (2000). Sources and Effects of Ionizing Radiation: Report to the General Assembly with Scientific Annexes. United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation. https://www.unscear.org

UNSCEAR (2020). Sources, Effects and Risks of Ionizing Radiation: UNSCEAR 2020 Report to the General Assembly. United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation. https://www.unscear.org

Usikalu, M. R., Oyeyemi, K. D., Achuka, J. A. and Alabi, O. A. (2019). Natural radioactivity and radiological hazards of groundwater in Ogun State, Nigeria. Scientific African, 5, e00132. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sciaf.2019.e00132

Wang, Y., Zhang, H., Liu, G. and Chen, J. (2019). Radiological risk assessment of radionuclides in soil around oil fields in China. Radiation Protection Dosimetry, 183(3), 358–367. https://doi.org/10.1093/rpd/ncz043

WHO (2006). Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality (3rd ed., Vol. 1). World Health Organization.

WHO (2011). Potassium in Drinking Water: Background Document for Development of WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality. World Health Organization.

WHO (2017). Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality: Fourth Edition Incorporating the first Addendum. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241549950

Published

17-08-2026

How to Cite

BASELINE RADIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF SOIL AND WATER AROUND DANGOTE REFINERY, PRIOR TO COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION IN LAGOS, NIGERIA. (2026). FULafia Journal of Science and Technology , 10(2), 209-215. https://doi.org/10.62050/fjst2026.v10n2.881

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 2 (2026): Fulafia Journal of Science and Technology (FJST)

Section

Environmental Sciences
Copyright & Licensing

How to Cite

BASELINE RADIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF SOIL AND WATER AROUND DANGOTE REFINERY, PRIOR TO COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION IN LAGOS, NIGERIA. (2026). FULafia Journal of Science and Technology , 10(2), 209-215. https://doi.org/10.62050/fjst2026.v10n2.881

Similar Articles

71-80 of 87

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.