Comparative effect of radioactive radiation on roots in a coastal and hinterland location in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Abstract

The detection of the radiation levels in root crops from Ibeno (an oil producing area) and Uyo, (a non oil producing area) in Akwa Ibom state was carried out. The radioactivity level in Cassava, Potato, Sweet yam, water yam and cocoyam was investigated. Result shows that the radiation level in root samples in Uyo ranges between 8.58 mBqg-1 and 1.06 mBqg-1 as compared with those from Ibeno, which ranges between 34.7 mBqg-1 and 3.7 mBqg-1. Yam and cassava samples from Ibeno have the highest radioactive levels of 34.7 mBqg-1 while water yam sample in Uyo has the highest radioactive level of radioactive materials in roots than Uyo. This is probably due to the oil producing activities in the area.

Keywords: NORM, radioactivity, ionization, roots.

Nigerian Journal of Physics Vol. 18 (1) 2006: pp. 117-120