Author(s)

Adams Udoji Itodo, Raymond Ahulle Wuana, Ishaq Shaibu Eneji, Emmanuel Duwongs Bulus

Department of Chemistry, Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, Nigeria.

Two non-destructive analytical techniques (gamma spectrometer and X-ray diffractometer) were employed in the analysis of bauxite and rutile ore and their vicinity soil and control sourced within the Kanam and Wase mineral exploration sites. The activity concentrations of natural radionuclides ²³⁸U, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K in the soil samples received from bauxite and rutile mineral mining vicinities revealed high concentrations of ²³⁸U, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K compared to the control soil samples sourced 500 m away from the mineral exploration vicinities. Radiological detriments RLI, AUI, Hin and Hex unveiled values exceeding the radiation standard concentration (>1) for soil. X-ray diffraction characterization of bauxite ore revealed the interlocking minerals of Bauxite (18)%, Albite (11)%, Garnet (15)%, Illite (6)% and Muscovite (43)% in various proportions obtained within the 2θ range (9.18 to 64.4) and a peak value (intensity, cps) of 3400. Pure bauxite percentage in the ore meets metallurgical grade (15 - 25)%. X-ray diffraction of rutile ore revealed the minerals of rutile (40)%, quartz (21.4)%, ilmenite (27)% and garnet (11.8)% found within the 2θ range (27.5 to 35.6) and a peak value intensity of 31.1 - 100.0 cps also meeting the metallurgical grade of 15% - 25%. The major environmental concern associated with the mineral-sands industry is the radiation hazards, pollution of ground-water sources from heavy metals, mineral transport with heavy equipment’s, dredging operations in fragile coastal area and clearing of vegetation.

Radiology, Mineralogy, Mining, Bauxite and Rutile Ores, Environmental Contamination, Radiological detriments, X-Ray Diffractometer, Gamma Spectrometer, Control Soil

Itodo, A. , Wuana, R. , Eneji, I. and Bulus, E. (2023) Radiological and X-Ray Diffraction Characterization of Bauxite and Rutile Ore Contaminated Environment in Kanam and Wase Mineral Exploration Sites, Plateau State-Nigeria. Journal of Environmental Protection, 14, 841-858. doi: 10.4236/jep.2023.1410047.