Gross Alpha and Beta Activity Concentrations in Cassava Tubers (Manihot esculenta) from Old Coal Mining Area in Enugu, South Eastern Nigeria

Cassava crops and its food constitute more than 65% of dietary components for the population from the south-eastern Nigeria. Any contamination of this food crop in the environment by radioactive sources through human activities such as mining will affect large portion of the population. Following coal mining activities that took place in Enugu and the likelihood of potential increase in radiation dose burden to the population, the gross alpha and gross beta activity concentration in cassava tuber samples cultivated within the old coal mine area was investigated. The gross alpha activity concentration in the mined area ranged from (BDL) to 670 Bq/kg and for gross beta it was from BDL to 1220 Bq/kg. In the coal processing and distribution area, gross alpha ranged from (BDL) to 590 Bq/kg while for the gross beta it ranged from 70 to 770 Bq/kg. In the control area the gross alpha activity concentration was found to range from 20 to 690 Bq/kg and 370 to1420 Bq/kg for the gross beta. However, as could be seen from the study, the coal mining activities in the area has not affected the concentrations of gross alpha and gross beta radiation in the cassava crops within the areas considered.