The radioactive contamination of ground and surface water near a uranium mine in Malawi

L. J. Majawa; O. A. Jegede; V. M. Tshivhase; B. T. Chobeka; T. D. Mokgele

doi:10.15392/2319-0612.2024.2341

Autores/as

L. J. Majawa University of Malawi https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1510-1854 (no autenticado)
O. A. Jegede North-West University, South Africa / iThemba LABS , North-West University, South Africa / iThemba LABS , North-West University, South Africa / iThemba LABS
V. M. Tshivhase North-West University, South Africa , ,
B. T. Chobeka North-West University, South Africa , ,
T. D. Mokgele North-West University, South Africa , ,

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15392/2319-0612.2024.2341

Palabras clave:

Kayelekera, Mina de uranio, Elemento radiactivo, por inducción de plasma espectrometría de masas

Resumen

Se evaluaron los niveles de concentración de metales radiactivos en las aguas subterráneas y superficiales de la zona minera de uranio de Kayelekera, en Malawi. También se estimaron los riesgos potenciales para la salud asociados a la ingesta de estos metales en el agua potable procedente de diversas fuentes. Se recogieron muestras de aguas superficiales, subterráneas y de descarga de minas y se analizaron para determinar la concentración de radioelementos mediante la técnica analítica de espectroscopia de masas con plasma acoplado inductivamente. Los resultados indicaron una elevada concentración de ²³⁸U en las muestras de agua del curso inferior del río Sere. Sin embargo, las concentraciones de actividad de ²³⁸U, ²³²Th y ⁴⁰K estaban por debajo del límite recomendado por la OMS. La evaluación del riesgo para la salud utilizando la dosis media efectiva comprometida se situó por debajo de la media mundial. Se calcularon los valores de riesgo excesivo de cáncer a lo largo de la vida con una media de para el agua de pozo y se comprobó que estaban por debajo de la media mundial. Desde el punto de vista radiológico, la calidad del agua de la zona de Kayelekera tras las actividades de extracción de uranio no se ha visto comprometida, aunque se recomienda una estrecha vigilancia y el tratamiento del agua potable

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Biografía del autor/a

L. J. Majawa, University of Malawi

Lecturer of Physics in the Physics and Electronics Department at the University of Malawi.

PhD in Applied radiation science from North-West University

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