Investigation of plant uptake and dose rate of radionuclides in graze lands located in Makurdi local government and Ukum local government area of Benue state

This study is an assessment of some grazing land in Benue State. Precisely Makurdi and Ukum Local Government Area of the State. Soil and grass samples were collected from six study areas. Two from Ukum, and four from Makurdi Local Government Area of the State. Milk samples were also collected from the two local Government areas. The study aims at analyzing the presence and activity concentration of natural radionuclides and l37Cs from Chernobyl accident and determines their transfer factor from soil lo grass and from grass to milk. It also describes the migration of 137C's and the homogeneity of concerned natural radionuclide in the soil profile of the study areas. The third objective of the study was to assess the laboratory outdoor dose rate in air of radionuclide in the study areas and make comparison other graze land and the methods. Higher concentrations of natural radionuclide were found in Makurdi and study areas than in Ukum due to the geological background of the area rich in natural radionuclide urban Human activities. But, higher concentration of 137Cs was found in Ukum than in Makurdi and due to higher anthropogenic deposition from Chernobyl accident. Activity concentrations of the radionuclide were higher than suggested by Radiation Regulating bodies. In Makurdi study areas, higher total annual effective dose rate of radionuclide were found in the laboratory measurement. A similar finding was obtained in Ukum study areas except in few areas, the contribution of artificial radionuclide (137Cs) was not very significant to the total annual effective dose rate and much concern could be given to the natural radionuclides dose rate assessment.