Mwalonga, Dennis Amos2020-02-172020-02-172011Mwalonga, D. A. (2011). Determination of background radio activity levels and elemental composition at Mkuju uranium deposit in Tanzania. Master dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam.http://41.86.178.5:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/7181Available in print form, East Africana Collection, Dr. Wilbert Chagula Library, Class mark (THS EAF QC795.55.U7M852)This study has determined the baseline activity concentrations of naturally occurring radionuclides (238U, 232Tb and 40K) and heavy metal concentrations at Mkuju uranium deposit. The activity concentrations and heavy metals in soil, sediments and water samples were carried out using gamma-ray and x-ray spectrometry techniques, respectively. The average activity concentrations of radionuclides in soil samples varied from 132.5 ±7.9 -316.2 ± 28.5 Bqkg-1, 39.3 ± 2.8 -114 ± 13.1 and 1169 ± 93.6 Bqkg-1 -1874 ± 148 Bqkg-1 for 238U, 232Th and 40K. respectively. On sediments sample the activity concentration ranged from 352 ± 39 - 492 ± 55; 167 ± 20 - 855 ± 108 Bqkg-1, 57 ± 7.4 Bqkg-1 - 1261 ± 151 Bqkg-1 for 238U, 232Th and 40K, respectively. The activity concentration in soil and sediments from Mkuju Uranium deposit were higher than the world average of 35, 30, and 500Bqkg-1 for 238U, 232Th and 40K respectively. The activity concentrations in soil and sediments from higher than the world average of 35, 30 and 500 Bqkg for 238U, 232Th and 40K, respective[y. The activity concentrations in water samples were comparable to control samples and other uranium mineralization areas reported in the literatures. The concentration of heavy metals in soil and sediments on Cr, Fe, Zn, Pb, Th and U were higher than the control samples. There were strong positive correlation between Th and Fe and Th and Pb, Fe and Pb and Pb with Cr. Uranium correlated with Th and Ni. The results from this study will provide a pre-mining background data on natural radioactivity levels and heavy metal concentration for future environmental pollution monitoring.enRadioactivityUranium mines and miningMkuju uranium depositTanzaniaThesis