Radiological Assessment and Potential Health Implication of Produced Water from Oil facilities Around Oil Mining Lease (OML X), Southern Delta, Nigeria

Abstract

This study assessed the concentration of naturally occurring radionuclides in produced water from Oil Mining Lease (OML X) and evaluated their potential health implications in the Niger Delta, Nigeria. The totality of produced water collected for measurement were eighteen (18), three from each oil-field facility and analyzed using Gamma-Ray Spectrometer (sodium iodide (NaI(Tl)) . the obtained mean values of  ⁴⁰K, ²³⁸U and ²³²Th are 122.14 BqL⁻¹, 10.58 BqL⁻¹ and 4.12 BqL⁻¹ respectively. The mean computed potential radiological health implications parameters of Raeq, D_R, AEDE_out, AEDE_in, Hex,  Hin and Iy are 25.87 BqL⁻¹, 12.47 nGy/h, 0.0153 mSv/y, 0.0612 mSv/y,  0.0699, 0.0985 and 0.0965 respectively. However, the obtained values of radionuclides exceeded the world recommended limits while that of computed potential radiological are below world recommended limits. Therefore, the values may not pose significant radiological health impact as at the time of the research, but it may have potential long-term impact with time. Hence, release oil-field facility produced water ought to be treated appropriately before discharged into the environment. All hydrocarbon operation stakeholders should carry out routine monitoring of the study area environment. This research also provides critical baseline data for environmental radiation management and supports policy development toward sustainable oil production and public health protection in the Niger Delta region.