Abstract

The concentration of radionuclides 238U, 232Th and 40K in soil, moss and lichen samples in Ekakpamre-Uvwiamughe was studied using gamma ray spectrometer with NaI(Tl) detector. The mean activity concentration of 238U, 232Th and 40K in soil samples are 35.09±3.86, 54.70±10.12 and 787.72±4.87 BqKg-1 respectively, Moss samples: 35.09±2.60, 53.15±10.94 and 100.93±5.18 BqKg-1 respectively while for lichen samples are 28.47±2.31, 69.09±13.23 and 120.11±6.03 BqKg-1. Radiological hazard indices such as absorbed dose rate, annual effective dose rate, radium equivalent and external hazard index were computed. Comparing with standard value, it was observed that the absorbed dose rate for all samples except CM, UM, CL and EL were higher than the standard value as specified by UNSCEAR. The annual outdoor effective dose calculated also revealed that all samples except CM, EM, UM, CL and EL had values higher than the standard value. In all samples the external hazard index was found to be below one, indicating that the area is safe.