Determination of Radionuclides in Underground Water Sources Within the Environments of University of Cape Coast

Abstract

Preliminary studies on groundwater samples from selected wells in University of Cape Coast and its surroundings in the Central region of Ghana have been carried out to determine the annual effective dose from intake of naturally occurring radionuclides. Measurements were carried out using gamma spectrometry. The average annual effective doses obtained in this study were 0.15±0.04 mSv for Apewosika, 0.17±0.03 mSv for Amamoma, 0.14±0.01 mSv for Kokoado and 0.17±0.03 mSv for Kwaprow respectively. The values calculated were about 1.7 times higher than WHO guidance levels of 0.1 mSv/y from intake of radionuclides in water. 232 Th and 40K levels are lower than the world average values whilst 238U levels are slightly higher. The total annual effective dose in the study area is lower than the ICRP recommended public dose limit of 1 mSv