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University of Ghana University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh MODELLING RADIONUCLIDES TRANSPORT AND DOSE ASSESSMENT IN A GROUNDWATER SYSTEM IN SOMITA- TAPARKO GOLDMINE IN BURKINA FASO KABORE KARIM (10444960) MSc (UNIVERSITY OF OUAGADOUGOU, BURKINA FASO) 2010 THIS THESIS IS SUBMITTED TO UNIVERSITY OF GHANA, LEGON IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY IN NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY JULY, 2015 University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh DECLARATION This thesis is the outcome of research work undertaken by KABORE KARIM in the Department of Medical Physics, School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences, University of Ghana, under the supervision of Prof E. O. Darko and Rev. Dr. S. Akoto-Bamford …………………………….. …………………………….. Kabore Karim Date (Student) ………………………………. ……………………………… Prof E. O. Darko Date (Supervisor) ….…………………………. ……………………………… Rev. Dr. S. Akoto- Bamford Date (Supervisor) II University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh DEDICATION This work is dedicated to my parents, my mother Madam Fati Kabore, my father who is no longer in this world and all my family. III University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to gratefully acknowledge the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Government of Burkina Faso for giving me the opportunity to pursue this Master of Philosophy Degree Programme in Nuclear Science and Technology. I thank the School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences (SNAS), University of Ghana (UG), for equipping me with the skills and knowledge in the nuclear area. Thanks to Dr. Badiori, National Coordinator in the Ministry of Scientific Research and Inovation, for taking intense interest in this work as well as providing some input data. Special thanks go to National Radiation Protection Autority and Nuclear Safety through the Director, Mr. D. Nabayago for the enormous contribution to this work for assisting in the sampling part. My sincere thanks go to my supervisors Prof. E.O. Darko and Rev. Dr. S. Akoto- Bamford as well as Prof. A.W.K. Kyere (Head of department of Medical Physics at SNAS), all the lecturers of SNAS for their knowledge sharing, support, assistance, guidance and inspirations. Thanks to Mr. David Kpeglo (Research Scientist, RPI) for the assistance offered me on gamma spectrometry techniques. My sincere gratitude goes to the entire Radiation Protection Institute (RPI) of Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC), staff and fellow students of SNAS for their collaboration. Thanks to my family, friends, colleagues especially to Luc Bambara for his assistance and advice during this work. IV University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION ................................................................................................................ ii DEDICATION ................................................................................................................... iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................... iv LIST OF TABLES .............................................................................................................. x LIST OF FIGURES ........................................................................................................... xi ABSTRACT ..................................................................................................................... xvi CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ................................................................................. 1 1.1 Background ............................................................................................................ 1 1.3 Statement of the Problem ...................................................................................... 5 1.4 Objectives .............................................................................................................. 6 1.5 Relevance and Justification ................................................................................... 6 1.6 Scope and Limitation ............................................................................................. 7 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW ..................................................................... 8 2.1 Mining industry of Burkina Faso .............................................................................. 8 2.2 Contribution of gold mining in Burkina Faso’s economy ........................................ 9 2.3 Natural Radioactivity in the Environment .............................................................. 10 2.4 Radioactivity in Drinking Water ............................................................................. 12 2.5 Hazards and Risk associated with Exposure to NORM in the Mining Industry ..... 13 V University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 2.6. Models of Radionuclide Transport in groundwater ............................................... 15 2.6.1 Groundwater models......................................................................................... 15 2.6.1.1 Groundwater-Flow Models ........................................................................ 16 2.6.1.2 Fate-and-Transport Models ........................................................................ 17 2.6.2. Types of Models .............................................................................................. 18 2.6.2.1 Analytical models. ..................................................................................... 18 2.6.2.2 Analytic Element Method Models ............................................................. 18 2.6.2.3 Numerical Models ...................................................................................... 19 5.3 Dimensional Models ............................................................................................... 21 2.7 Some study approaches to solving the Advection Diffusion Equation ................... 23 2.7.1 Numerical Approaches for Solving Partial Differential Equations .................. 24 2.7.1.1 Classical Random Walk ............................................................................. 24 2.7.1.2 The Lagrangian Approach to Advection –Diffusion Equation .................. 25 2.7.1.3 Eulerian Approach to Advection-Diffusion Equation ............................... 25 2.7.1.4 Coupling geological and numerical models to simulate groundwater flow and contaminant transport in fractured media .................................................................. 26 CHAPTER THREE: MATERIALS AND METHODS ................................................... 35 3.1 Description of the Study Area ................................................................................. 35 3.1.1 Location and Size ............................................................................................. 35 3.1.2 Climate & Vegetation ....................................................................................... 36 3.1.3 Geology and Soil .............................................................................................. 37 3.1.4 Hydrography & Drainage ................................................................................. 39 VI University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh 3.2 Methods .............................................................................................................. 39 3.2.1 Experimental method ........................................................................................ 39 3.2.1.1 Sampling ........................................................................................................ 39 3.2.1.2 Sample preparation ........................................................................................ 40 3.2.1.3 Description of the Gamma Ray Spectrometer System .................................. 41 3.2.1.4 Energy Calibration ......................................................................................... 41 3.2.1.5 Efficiency Calibration .................................................................................... 43 3.2.1.6 Determination of Activity Concentration of Radionuclides .......................... 44 3.2.1.7 Calculation of Annual Committed Effective Dose due to Drinking Water ... 45 3.2.2 Theoretical Method ........................................................................................... 46 3.2.2.1 Conceptual Model of the Research Problem ................................................. 46 3.2.2.2 Assumptions made in the Model ................................................................... 47 3.2.2.3 Mathematical Model Formulation of Groundwater Flow and Fate Transport a. Derivation of the governing equation .................................................................... 48 b. Initial Condition and boundary conditions ............................................................ 51 c. Contaminant Input ................................................................................................. 53 d. Discretization of the differential equation ............................................................. 53 e. Euler’s explicit Method ......................................................................................... 54 3.2.3 Risk assessment from consumption of water ................................................... 56 VII University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug.edu.gh CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS ..................................................... 57 4.1.2. Annual Committed Effective Dose from Water samples ................................... 59 4.1.3 Risk assessment
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