Radiological analysis of some Trona samples found in Yobe State: A case study of Yunusari/Yusufari local government areas of Yobe State and, Chad and Niger Republics

Trona is one of the complex salts that occur naturally as white crystalline hydrated salt which originated from the weathering activity of igneous rock and igneous rock has been classified active. This becomes an issue of concern since trona is consumed both raw and in cooked food and this formed a drive in the assessment of radiological effects of trona to consumers. The study investigated radiological problems of trona via gamma spectrometry analysis of samples collected from Yunusari and Yusufari Local Government Areas of Yobe State, Nigeria and products imported into the country from Chad and Niger Republics. The samples were assayed for NORMs using 7.62cm x 7.62cm NaI(Tl) detector and each gamma spectrum collected for 29,000 seconds. Spectral interpretation was conducted via ORTEC pulser system coupled to computerised MEASTRO card. The mean activity concentration levels of the natural radionuclides 40K, 226Ra and 232Th obtained from Yunusari are 380.02± 5.17, 23.17±1.51, and 77.50±1.44 Bq/Kg and that of Yusufari are 236.51±3.41, 276.94±2.48 and 35.44±1.14 Bq/Kg, respectively. The imported samples measured 595.55±3.55, 24.49±1.98 and 71.52±0.81 for 40K, 226Ra and 232Th respectIvely. 226Ra content is an issue of serious concern.