Asian Journal of Environment & Ecology

Soils, being the foundation upon which several activities occur, have consequently experienced elevated levels of radionuclides. This is profoundly significant as soils serve as a transfer medium for radionuclides throughout the food chain, involving processes of systemic radionuclide uptake by plant roots and subsequent transmission to animals. This study aimed to assess the activity concentrations of alpha and beta radioactive particles in soil samples collected at varying depths from Billiri, Gombe State, Nigeria. Standard procedures and radiation guidelines were employed for sample collection, preparation, and processing, followed by analysis using the Gas-flow dual phosphor counter Model MPC 2000DP at the Centre for Energy Research and Training (CERT), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. The results revealed a range of radioactive particle concentrations, with alpha particles varying between 7.70 Bq/kg to 83.40 Bq/kg, and beta activity concentrations ranging from 13.10 Bq/kg to 88.40 Bq/kg. The distribution of activity concentrations indicated that areas with higher concentrations were associated with soils derived from banded gneiss, biotite gneiss, feldspathic sandstones, calcareous sandstones, and shaly limestone. Conversely, lower concentrations were observed in areas linked to porphyroblastic gneisses. Beta activity concentrations were consistently higher than alpha activity concentrations throughout the study area, highlighting the potential implications for targeted exploration of radioactive resources and minerals favouring specific particle concentrations. Importantly, the study found that the alpha and beta activity concentrations in the study area were well below the standard health risk limit of 0.5 Bq/kg recommended by prominent regulatory bodies such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Nigeria Nuclear Regulatory Agency (NNRA), and the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). Consequently, it can be concluded that the concentration of radioactive particles poses no significant radiological threat to the environment or the health of local inhabitants. This study holds significant value for informed health policies, enhancing environmental management and advancing research on radiation safety decisions. Furthermore, it enriches global knowledge on NORM in data-limited regions.