(POS-61) Cross- influence of natural radioactivity and nuclear waste management in oil rich regions: A case study of Ekakpamre community in Delta State Nigeria

Jude Omoriwhovo – Student, Physics, Delta State University Abraka Delta State Nigeria

This study investigates the cross-influence of natural radioactivity and nuclear waste mismanagement in Ekakpamre, a petroleum-producing community in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The region, long associated with oil extraction and industrial discharges, faces increasing exposure to Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (TENORMs), primarily due to oil-related activities such as gas flaring, oil spills, and improper disposal of radioactive waste. This research aims to quantify radiological risks in the area by integrating environmental measurements with predictive modelling and uncertainty analysis. Fifteen environmental samples comprising soil, moss, and lichen were collected from georeferenced sites and analysed using gamma spectrometry to determine the activity concentrations of uranium-238, thorium-232, and potassium-40. A Gaussian Process Regression (GPR) model was developed using the mean activity concentration and mean dose rate to predict terrestrial gamma dose rates, while Monte Carlo simulations (n = 1000) were employed to assess uncertainties and evaluate extended hazard indices, including Radium Equivalent Activity (Raeq), External Hazard Index (Hex), and Annual Effective Dose (AED). The results revealed that ES and UL, exhibited elevated dose rates and hazard metrics, with AED values exceeding the global average of 80 µSv/y. The GPR model achieved a high predictive accuracy of 99.3 %, while the Monte Carlo simulations demonstrated low variability, confirming the stability of the estimates. A scenario simulation modelling a 50% increase in 238U further emphasized the potential for dose escalation under continued waste mismanagement. This study highlighted the synergistic effects of natural and anthropogenic radiological sources in oil-rich environments, emphasizing the need for localized monitoring, policy reform, and community health protection.