Determination of Radionuclide Concentration and its Health Effect in Fish Samples from Dadin Kowa Dam, Gombe State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigates the concentration of radionuclides in six selected fish samples from Dadin Kowa dam, a major water reservoir in  Gombe State. The concentration of radionuclide concentration in fish species as achieved through the use of Gamma Spectrometer NaI  (TI) detector. The fish samples collected from the Dam were oven-dried to remove moisture content till a constant weight was obtained.  The dried fish were grinded, sieved into fine powder and sealed in contaminants free plastic containers; the activity concentrations was  determined for three specific radionuclides, which are 226Ra, 232Th and 40K, using a 76x76mm NaI (Tl) detector crystal optically coupled  to a photomultiplier tube (PMT). The activity concentration of 226Ra nuclides was found to be in range of 16.75 Bq/kg to 38.35 Bq/kg with mean value of 23.65 Bq/kg. For 232Th nuclides, the activity concentration ranges between 11.97 Bq/kg to 33.87 Bq/kg with mean value of  21.22 Bq/kg. For 40K concentration ranges between 83.05 Bq/kg to 158.48 Bq/kg with mean value of 115.81 Bq/kg. Health hazard indices  of radium equivalent, absorbed dose and annual effective dose ranged from 77.15±8.97 Bqkg^-1 to 50.96±7.19 Bqkg^-1, 34.83nGyh^-1 to 23.72nGyh^-1 and 0.04mSvy^-1 to 03mSvy^-1 respectively were calculated. The internal and external hazard indices ranged from 1.24 Bqkg^-1  to 0.19 Bqkg^-1 and 0.19 Bqkg^-1 to 0.11 Bqkg-1 respectively. All the values obtained were below the ICRP standard safety limits. The  findings of this study provide insights into the radiological status of Dadin-Kowa Dam and the potential health hazard risks associated  with fish consumption from the Dam. Besides, this information will be important for developing appropriate management strategies to  ensure the long-term sustainability and the wellbeing of the local community.