The radioactivity levels and physical-chemical properties in public water supplies of malaga

Abstract

The measurement of radioactivity in drinking water permits us to determine the exposure of population to radiation from the habitual consumption of water. An intensive study of the water supply in the city of Malaga has been carried out in order to determine the gross alpha, gross beta activities and natural and artificial radionuclides by gamma spectrometry. A data base on natural and artificial radioactivity in water was produced. Results indicated that 90% of the water sampled contains a gross alpha radioactivity of less than 0.10 Bq/L and 100% gross beta of less than 1 Bq/L, limit of activity recommended by the Spanish Regulatory Organization. For most of the samples, there is not regular correspondence between gross alpha and gross beta activities concentrations. The water samples have been analyzed during three periods. In order to quantify the influence of the origin of water on its radioactivity content, these samples were also classified in 2 categories; surface waters(from rivers and reservoirs) and subterranean waters (from wells and springs). Because of the different origin of the water samples, the following physic-chemical parameters have been obtained: (pH, conductivity, dry residue, Ca + 2 , K + , SO 4 - 2 ) A more detailed analysis of the results from individual measurements shows that there is certain degree of correlation between the gross alpha and gross beta activities and some physical-chemical parameters.