Monitoring and analysis of gross α and gross β levels in drinking water sources in Guangdong province

Abstract

Objective To investigate the distribution of gross α and gross β radioactive levels in drinking raw water from different regions of Guangdong province, and to establish the radioactive level base line value in raw water. Methods The samples from 191 drinking water sources in use in Guangdong province were collected in rainy season and dry season, respectively, and determined and analyzed under the standard examination method for drinking water-radiological parameters (GB/T 5750.13-2006). The levels of gross α and gross β radioactivity were evaluated under the standard for drinking water quality (GB 5749-2006). Results A total of 377 raw water samples were taken, including 189 samples in rainy season and 188 samples in dry season, in which 186 samples were matched between rainy season and dry season. In dry season, the gross α levels ranged from 0.008 Bq/L to 0.582 Bq/L, averaged at (0.034±0.060) Bq/L, while the gross β levels ranged from 0.014 Bq/L to 0.637 Bq/L, averaged at (0.108±0.091) Bq/L. In rainy season, the gross α levels ranged from 0.008 Bq/L to 0.402 Bq/L, averaged at (0.045±0.064) Bq/L, while the gross β levels ranged from 0.014 Bq/Lto 0.848 Bq/L, averaged at (0.125±0.128) Bq/L. The gross α and gross β radioactivity levels of other samples were much lower than the guidance values in the national radioactivity standards on drinking water radioactivity, except for a sample from Shanwei area. The gross α and gross β radioactivity levels in the rainy season were higher than in the dry water season, and the gross α radioactivity levels in the rainy season were significantly higher than in the dry water season. There were significant differences in gross α and gross β radioactivity levels in rainy(Frainy season=1.819, 2.709, P<0.05) and dry season (Fdry season=1.985, 8.461, P<0.05)in different water systems, and the levels of gross α and gross β radioactivity in the rivers in western Guangdong were the highest. The gross α and gross β radioactivity levels of groundwater in rainy season were higher than in river water and lake water, and the gross α and gross β radioactivity levels in river water were higher than in lake and reservoir water, with the statistically significant differences(Ftotal α=39.323, Ftotal β=25.911, P<0.05), the gross α and gross β radioactivity levels in dry season were higher than in river water and lake water, with the statistically significant difference(Ftotal α=11.520, Ftotal β=28.435, P<0.05). The highest radioactivity levels is in groundwater, followed by river water, and the lowest is in lake and reservoir water. Conclusions The natural radioactivity background levels in drinking raw water in Guangdong province is lower than the limit value on drinking water stipulated by our country. The radioactivity levels in raw water in western Guangdong is significantly higher than in other water systems, and the radioactivity level in river water is also significantly higher than in lake and reservoir water. Key words: Radioactive level; Raw water; Gross αradioactivity; Gross βradioactivity