Assessment of radon levels in groundwater in the city of Makkah, KSA

Abstract

Groundwater has been gaining increasing interest as an imperative and crucial water resource. Its demand has been rising swiftly in the closing numerous many years with the overpopulation of and increasing standards of dwelling in the town of Makkah. In recent years, significant activity has arisen related to the natural radioactivity in water. Radon (222Rn) concentrations were measured in ten groundwater samples from distinct locations in the Makkah area, Saudi Arabia, using RAD7 which an electronic 222Rn gas detector linked to a RAD7- H2O accessories (Durridge -USA). The evaluated concentrations of 222Rn in the ground water samples of our study ranged from 0.426 to 18.628 Bq/l with a mean 2.851 Bq/l, whilst the dose of 222Rn due to drinking water in the stomach diverse from 0.089 to 3.912 µSv/y (average: 0.599) and the dose of 222Rn in the lungs different from 1.073 to 46.944 µSv/y (average: 7.184). The total annual effective dose (µSv/y) ranged from 1.163 to 50.855 µSv/y with a mean of 7.783 µSv/y. The effects of the existing learn about point out that the 222Rn concentrations in most groundwater samples taken around Makkah have been under the action levels recommended via USEPA, UNSCEAR, the EU Council, and the WHO.