Assessment of Environmental Safety and Related Radiological Exposure in Zircon and Monazite Sands in Hong, Adamawa State, North-Eastern Nigeria

This paper presents the results of the activity concentration of radionuclides from raw zircon and monazite sands and the survey conducted to examine the environmental impact of zircon mining in Hong. Twelve (12) Zircon and Monazite samples were collected each and analyzed using Gamma Ray Spectroscopy. The activity concentration of Radium, Thorium and Potassium from raw zircon sample ranges from 15.83 to 53.87 Bq/kg, 10.69 to 63.40 Bq/kg and 144.95 to 671.38 Bq/kg respectively with average values of 29.19, 32.92, and 396.02 Bqm-3. The absorbed dose rates, annual effective doses, range from 24.97 to 91.86, with an average value of 50.56 nGy/h, 0.03 to 0.11, with an average value of 0.06 mSv/y. Raeq, I range 53.56 to 196.23 with a mean value of 107.56 Bq/kg, 0.20 to 0.72, 0.40 as the average. The hazard indices (external and internal) range from 0.15 to 0.53, 0.19 to 0.68 with an average value of 0.30, 0.38 respectively. The global averages for absorbed dose and AEDE are 59 nGy/h, 0.5 mSv/y respectively. The recommended limit for geogenic Raeq is 370 Bq/kg. Gamma index greater than 1 indicates a potential radiation hazard. The removal of vegetation and topsoil for mining activities has disrupted local ecosystems and contaminated the surface water which is the source of drinking water the communities relied on. The study highlighted the need for sustainable mining practices, robust regulatory frameworks, and community engagement to mitigate these impacts. Recommendations are provided to enhance environmental protection, workers’ safety, and public health.