Assessment of natural radioactivity, radon gas and soil characteristics along the Volta Lake in the Kpando municipality of Volta region, Ghana.

This article focuses on the assessment of natural radionuclides (^226Ra, ^232Th, ^40K), indoor radon (^222Rn_I), radon exhalation (^222Rn_ex), and soil characteristics in the coastal area of Kpando Municipality along the Volta Lake in Ghana. Using high-purity germanium detectors and CR-39 detectors, the study found mean activity concentrations of 23.1 ± 1.4 Bq/kg for ^226Ra, 34.6 ± 2.9 Bq/kg for ^232Th, and 187.1 ± 13.7 Bq/kg for ^40K, with indoor radon averaging 64.7 ± 2.7 Bq/m³ and radon exhalation rates averaging 7.9 ± 0.5 μBq/m²h. Statistical analyses, including Pearson correlation, cluster, and principal component analyses, revealed significant correlations between soil characteristics (such as moisture, porosity, and particle size) and radionuclide concentrations and radon levels, indicating that soil properties strongly influence radon emanation and indoor radon concentrations. The radiological doses estimated were within international safety limits, although 18% of dwellings exceeded the WHO recommended indoor radon reference level of 100 Bq/m³. The findings provide baseline data for radon exposure and natural radioactivity in the region, supporting future regulatory and health risk assessments.