Abstract
The radioactive isotopes of the decay series of uranium-238 (238U), thorium-232 (232Th) and potassium-40 (40K) occur naturally in varying amounts in groundwater. They are the subject of many measures, mainly because of the risk they represent from a public health point of view. The purpose of this study is to measure the radioisotope content of borehole waters from the north riviera (NR) catchment field of the Ivorian drinking water distribution company (SODECI). These measurements will make it possible to assess the absolute levels of radioisotopes in the water from SODECI’s boreholes used directly for drinking or swimming, and possibly the associated risk from a public health point of view. To achieve this, a sampling campaign from the seven functional boreholes and the control or treatment tower took place in July 2018 at the NR well field. The analysis of radionuclides by gamma spectrometry was carried out in the laboratory of the Radiation Protection Institute (RPI) of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC). The naturally occurring radionuclides identified during the borehole water samples analysis are 238U, 232Th, and 40K. The results reveal that the specific activities of uranium vary from 0.45 ± 0.18 Bq/L to 0.55 ± 0.17 Bq/L with an average of 0.49 ± 0.15 Bq/L. Those of thorium vary from 0.66 ± 0.14 Bq/L to 0.78 ± 0.18 Bq/L with an average of 0.72 ± 0.16 Bq/L and potassium of 4.14 ± 0.53 Bq/L at 5.87 ± 0.60 Bq/L with an average of 5.32 ± 0.58 Bq/L.
Highlights
In developing countries like Côte d’Ivoire, groundwater is an important source of drinking water supply and is vital for the development of these countries
In Abidjan, SODECI’s north riviera (NR) catchment field allows the exploitation of groundwater to supply drinking water to part of the population in the city of Abidjan
The main objective of this study is to measure the radioactivity of groundwater, in particular the drilling water of the NR catchment field of SODECI
Summary
In developing countries like Côte d’Ivoire, groundwater is an important source of drinking water supply and is vital for the development of these countries. A water resource of good quality and in sufficient quantity is necessary for the economic development and the well-being of the populations [1]. The quality of water is defined by physical, chemical, biological and radiological parameters. In Abidjan, SODECI’s north riviera (NR) catchment field allows the exploitation of groundwater to supply drinking water to part of the population in the city of Abidjan. This field is located about 5 km from the former Akouedo landfill. The government has decided to close this landfill in view of the nuisance and its situation on 04 July 2019
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