Radon Concentrations in Tap and Ground Water in Kirkuk Governorate Using Active Detecting Method RAD7

Abstract

Radon gas represents, one of the significant natural sources of public radioactive exposure. Monitoring it's concentrations in air, water and soil is of great importance. In the present work, radon concentrations and Annual Effective Dose in tap and ground water have been investigated at Kirkuk governorate. Fifteen tap water samples along with (fifteen) ground water samples have been taken from (fifteen) different areas at Kirkuk governorate. The electronic radon detector RAD7, has been used thought the research. For tap water, the highest, lowest and average concentration was (2.740 Bq.l-1), (0.0359 Bq.l-1) and (0.33104 Bq.l-1) respectively. The annual effective dose to an individual consumer was (1.501 mSv.y-1). For ground water, the highest, lowest and average concentration was (5.630 Bq.l-1), (0.108 Bq.l-1) and (2.316 Bq.l-1) respectively. The annual effective dose for individual consumer was (10.136 mSv.y-1). This result is expected since, underground is directly in contact with the soil and rock layer which are the source of radon parents. After storing the samples for one month radon concentration are measured again. The average concentration is lowered to 9.84% of the original one before storage.