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Abstract: This study presents a systematic radiological assessment of primordial radionuclides in soil samples collected from Tambuwal, Sokoto State, Nigeria. Utilizing high-resolution gamma-ray spectrometry, the activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K were quantified to evaluate the potential internal and external radiation exposure to the local population. The measured activity concentrations for ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K ranged from 19.50 to 125.50 , 21.90 to 62.50 , and 278.04 to 815.03 , respectively. The calculated mean activity concentrations for ²³²Th (42.00 ) and ⁴⁰K (648.66 ) exceeded the UNSCEAR world averages of 45.03 and 420.12 , respectively, while the mean ²²⁶Ra (73.68 ) was more than double its world average of 35.02 , a finding likely attributable to the underlying geochemical composition of the local soil. The radiological hazard assessment yielded a mean Radium Equivalent Activity ( ) of 183.68 , which remains well below the recommended safety limit of 370 . The average external (H_ex) and internal (H_in) hazard indices were 0.50 and 0.70, respectively, both satisfying the internationally accepted threshold of ≤1. The mean absorbed dose rate (Dr) was 86.45 , and the corresponding annual effective dose was 106.03 μSv·yr⁻¹, which slightly exceeds the global reference thresholds of 57 and 100 , respectively. The found all hazard indices within permissible limits but fairly elevated dose rate and annual effective dose which may call for subsequent environmental monitoring. Overall, the radiological risk obtained from the results suggest moderate safety in soil of Tambuwal region. Although, the findings provide a critical baseline for future nuclear safety assessments and environmental management protocols in the region.
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