International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR) ISSN: 2319-7064 Index Copernicus Value (2016): 79.57 | Impact Factor (2017): 7.296 Volume 8 Issue 1, January 2019 www.ijsr.net Licensed Under Creative Commons Attribution CC BY Determination of Lead from Tailings of Gold Matrix using Proton Induced X-ray Emission Buhari Samaila Federal University Birnin Kebbi P.M.B 1157, Department of Physics with Electronics, Kebbi State, Nigeria Abstract: Proton induced x-ray emission (pixe) was utilized in this research to determine the lead from five geological samples of tailings of gold ores collected from different holes within the same local mining area of maga village under Danko-fasagu zuru emirate, kebbi state Nigeria. The samples was prepared to a scale interrogated by non- destructive technique (PIXE),using 1.7MeV tandem accelerator at the Centre for Energy Research and Development (CERD), Obafemi Awulowo University (OAU) Ile-Ife, Osun state Nigeria. After samples activation with an ion beam of proton, atomic interactions occur that give off electromagnetic radiation of wavelengths in the x-ray part of the electromagnetic spectrums specific to those elements contained in the samples. The spectrum generated from the samples revealed that lead concentration is above the normal. The results of the irradiation of the samples shows that lead (pb) alongside with the other elements were obtained such as Ca, K, Zr, Ba, Ti, Si, Fe, Mn, Cl, Ce, Cu, Sr, S. The work look into the determination of naturally occurring element (lead),whose concentration was found to be above the normal. According to the results obtained from this research indicated that the communities living around the local mining area of maga are at the risk of lead poisoning, due to its high concentration in the area. This is because the tailings (left over) of gold ores at the mining area are spreading through air and water. People inhaled the air into their lungs down to the bloodstream, drink and cook with the water. These increase the potential danger of lead poisoning. Keywords: PIXE, Lead, and Tailing of gold matrix 1. Introduction The PIXE is a powerful, yet non-destructive, technique used in the determination of the elemental constituents of a material or sample. When sample is exposed to an ion beam, atomic interactions occur that give off electromagnetic radiation of wavelengths in the X-ray part of the electromagnetic spectrum specific to that element [1]. Proton Induced X-ray emission (PIXE) is one of the most common and widely used analytical spectrometry techniques at MeV accelerators and the analysis is performed with characteristic X-rays. When charged particles with sufficient energy hit on a sample, a vacancy in the inner shells of an atom may be created. The probability of creating a vacancy is higher when the velocity of the incoming ions matches the velocity of the inner shell electrons. For MeV ions this probability for ejecting inner shell electrons is quite high. Such a vacancy can be filled in a number of ways and one of the processes may emit X-rays with the characteristic energy of that particular atomic number. In the PIXE technique, these characteristic X-rays are detected by detector. Energy dispersive analysis of the detected signals can reveal the identity of different elements present in the sample and more importantly, by measuring the charge, i.e. the number of incoming particles, the concentration of the elements can be accurately quantified [2]. Lead is naturally occurring metals which are widely present in the earth-crust. The highest levels of lead found in the environment come from human activities; include burning fossil fuels, mining and manufacturing. The lead found in rocks and soil, water and air. Human exposure to lead is mainly through food, water, air, soil, and dust [3]. Our concern here is to determine lead from the tailings of gold matrix using PIXE and its concentrations in the study area, weather is normal or above the normal. The tailings of gold matrix are a leftover of gold ores or the residues of gold matrix after it has been processed and the valuable material was removed from it. 2. Theoretical Background of the Research Proton induced x-ray emission as an analytical method is a relatively recent innovation, being first reported in 1970 by workers at the Lund Institute of Technology. PIXE, like other x-ray spectroscopic techniques used for elemental analysis, utilizes the x rays that are emitted from the atoms in a sample when that sample is exposed to an excitation source. The use of a proton beam as an excitation source offers several advantages over other x-ray techniques. Among these are; a higher rate of data accumulation across the entire periodic table and better overall sensitivities, especially for the lower atomic number elements. Of course, the chief disadvantage of PIXE is that it requires the use of a particle accelerator. The essential element (P, Cl, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu and Zn) concentrations of some local and imported rice commonly consumed in Nigeria were investigated. This is done in order to select the rice with high nutrient to combat malnutrition, especially in children. Proton-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) techniques available at iThemba Labs Someset West, South Africa was used for the analysis. The elemental concentration obtained for Ofada are 8805.5±221, 276.5±32, 3704.5±39, 212±8, 110.5±8, 125.5±7, 14.5±1 and 44.5±4 ppm, while for the imported rice we got 2862.5±150, 399±22, 1433±28, 4.15±2, 8.4±0.8, 4.75±1 and 9.5±2 ppm for P, Cl, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu and Zn respectively. Phosphorus (P) has the highest elemental concentration in all samples. Ofada, one of the local rice was found to have the highest elemental concentration while pure imported rice had the lowest concentrations of the elements. The study suggests that consumption of locally-cultivated (Ofada) rice should be encouraged in order to reduce malnutrition in children in Nigeria [10]. Paper ID: ART20194090 10.21275/ART20194090 110