U-series concentration in surface and ground water resources of Ardabil province

Abstract

Hundred and sixteen water resources including springs, wells, rivers and lakes in Ardabil province, northwest of Iran, were sampled and analyzed. The analysis included chemical analyses, (222)Rn and (226)Ra levels as well as total Uranium contents. (222)Rn levels were determined only for hot springs. The concentrations of Radium and Uranium in all water resources of Ardabil province were determined by the collector chamber and fluorimetric methods, respectively. The Radium and Uranium concentrations ranged from 2.0 to 300 mBq L(-1) and from 1.4 to 280 ppb, respectively. Furthermore, the annual effective dose varied between 8 and 47 microS y(-1). The reason for variations of Radium and Uranium concentration is the diverse geological structures in Ardabil province. The aim of this study was to determine the level of natural radioactivity in all water resources of the Ardabil province and whether this radiation causes any danger to health. The hot springs were found to have high level of activities and some water resources in Meshkin-Shahr city had the highest activities among other cities in Ardabil province.