Distribution and assessment of radionuclides in sediments, soil and water from the lower basin of river Pra in the Central and Western Regions of Ghana

Direct gamma spectrometry study was carried out within lower basin of river Pra to ascertain the baseline radioactivity levels of naturally occurring radioactive materials. The average activity concentrations of 238 U, 232 Th and 40 K in the soil and sediment were 25.51, 28.04 and 238.98 Bqkg −1 for soil, and 16.02, 20.31 and 27.39 Bqkg −1 for the sediment. The study indicated that the activity concentrations of 238 U, 232 Th and 40 K in the water were calculated to be 2.51, 1.71 and 41.43 BqL −1 , respectively and the corresponding annual effective dose ranged from 0.35 to 3.91 with an average of 1.82 μSvyear −1 . These values are within the levels allowed elsewhere or recommended by the WHO.