Gamma hazards and risk associated with norm in sediment from Amang processing recycling ponds

Amang processing is an important down stream activity of tin mining noted for technologically enhancing naturally occurring radioactive materials. A study was carried out to determine the gamma radiation hazards associated with amang processing with special reference to the sediment accumulated in amang processing ponds. Twenty eight sediment samples from two amang processing plants employing the recycling close water management system were collected and analysed. The activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in sediments were measured using gamma spectrometry analysis, with a Hyper Pure Ge-Li detector coupled to a Multi Channel Analyzer detector system. The range of mean activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K were between 40.94 - 189.58 Bq kg-1, 104.90 - 516.17 Bq kg-1 and 74.8-848.0 Bq/kg respectively. The maximum activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K recorded were higher than Malaysia\u27s average and the world\u27s natural highest. Gamma Radiation Representative Level Index, Igr associated with these levels of activity concentrations of radionuclides in sediments, warrants an immediate attention from the regulatory authorities. The contribution of amang processing and the use of recycling close water management system in enhancing potential environmental radiological risk are discussed