238U Activity Research Articles

Estimation of soil-to-plant transfer factor across six local government areas of Kwara state, Nigeria

Transfer factors (TFs) are among the necessary parameter values for the mathematical modeling of radiological pollution's environmental impact. In this study, 238U, 232Th, and 40K activity concentrations and TFs were estimated in 48 soil and plant samples through gamma-ray spectrometry NaI(Tl) in six selected areas of local governments in Kwara State, Nigeria. The findings revealed that the soil and plant samples' 238U and 232Th activity concentrations were within the radiological safety limits. The TFs of soil to plant fell within the worldwide ranges. A set of statistical tests were applied to verify the validity of the data, such as descriptive analysis, the analysis of variance (ANOVA) test, frequency distribution, and Spearman's correlation. The study reveals a skewed distribution in data. Spearman correlation coefficient analysis indicates a moderately negative correlation between 238U, 232Th, and 40K's activity concentrations and their respective TFs (TFU, TFTh, and TFK). In terms of future research in the study area, it is hoped that the data from this study will contribute to improved scientific knowledge.

Use GIS Technical to map Natural Radioactivity in Soil Samples for the University of Kufa, Iraq

GIS "Geographic Information System" technology was used to map the specific activity (S.A.) of primordial radionuclides 238U, 232Th, and 40K in selected soil samples for twelve locations at the University of Kufa, Iraq. S.A. values were determined using gamma spectrometry type NaI(Tl) with volume “3×3”. Also, the values of radiological parameters such as Raeq“radium equivalent”, Hex “external hazard index”, Iγr “representative gamma risk index”, Dr “Absorbed Dose rate, AEDEoutdoor “Annual Effective Dose Equivalent in outdoor”, and ELCR “Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk” were determined. The average value of S.A. for 238U, 232Th, and 40K was 10.35±0.9 Bq/kg, 7.31±1.8 Bq/kg, and 256.19±55.7 Bq/kg, respectively. While, the average values of Raeq (Bq/kg), Hex, Iγr, Dr (nGy/h), AEDEoutdoor (mSv/y), and ELCR were 48.00, 0.130, 0.373, 23.70, 0.029, and 0.102×10-3, respectively. The results of S.A. and each radiological parameter of the study area locations were low according to acceptable level reports by UNSCEAR, ICRP, and OCDE. Therefore, it can be concluded that the soil samples of the University of Kufa were safe.

Uranium isotopes and several heavy elements in selected waters in Quang Nam-Da Nang provinces, Central Vietnam

238U and 234U concentrations, 238U/234U ratios and Na, Ca, Mg, K, Al, As, Cd concentrations were measured in selected surface waters (streams, rivers and lakes), ground waters (dug wells) and underground waters (drill wells and thermal waters) in Quang Nam and Da Nang provinces, Central Vietnam. The mineralization was < 500 mg L−1 and Al, As, Cd contents were a few tenths of µg L−1. 234U and 238U activities were between 0.47–27.6 mBq L−1 and 0.6–15.0 mBq L−1 respectively, these values are lower than WHO recommended limits. Uranium contents trended as Urivers < Ustreams < Ulakes < Udig wells < Uthermal water < Udrill wells. The 234U/238U ratio ranged from 0.69 to 2.31 with 1.26 on average. For groundwaters, the ratio scattered around one. Effects of Nong Son uranium deposit located in Quang Nam region were not observed.

Dose Measurement and Cancer Risk from Natural Radioactivity in Cleaning Powders at Kurdistan Markets, Iraq

Abstract: The Kurdistan region of Iraq has seen a rise in the use of cleaning powders due to their favorable effects on health. However, various levels of radioactive isotopes, including 238U, 232Th, and 40K, can be found in the ore used to make some cleaning powders. Therefore, washing powder is regarded as one of the environmental sources of radionuclides and radioactivity. In this study, 25 samples of ordinary cleaning powder were analyzed to estimate the specific activities of 238U, 232Th, and 40K using a gamma-ray sodium iodide NaI(Tl) detector. The mean activity concentrations of 238U, 232Th, and 40K were found to be 0.27±0.027, 1.881±0.149, and 19.213±0.899 Bq.kg-1, respectively, which are well below the recommended values set by UNSCEAR 2000: 32, 45, and 400 Bq/kg for 238U, 232Th, and 40K, respectively. The radiological hazard parameters determined for each sample of detergent were also found to be lower than the maximum allowable values recommended by international organizations. Therefore, cleaning powders sold in the Kurdistan region markets pose no radioactive risk to users. Keywords: Cancer risk, NaI(Tl) detector, Detergent, Radioactivity, Primordial radionuclide.

A baseline monitoring of radiological sediment quality and associated risk assessment in coastal ecosystems of the Republic of Congo.

This study presents the first data on levels of natural radioactive elements in sediments from coastal ecosystems of the Republic of Congo. Sediment samples from five coastal sites were collected and analyzed by high-resolution gamma spectrometry for determination of activities of long-lived gamma-emitting radionuclides (234Th, 238U, 226Ra, 210Pb, 228Th, 228Ra, and 40K). The specific activities were of the same order of magnitude as those measured in sediments of most countries neighboring the Republic of Congo. However, variations in activities were observed from one site to another and also from one sampling point to another within the same site without exceeding the global average reference values. It can be assumed, therefore, that no significant anthropogenic impact is perceptible in the study area. The most commonly used radiological hazard parameters, based mainly on 238U, 232Th, and 40K activities, were assessed and the ERICA tool was applied to quantify the radiation exposure burden to human and biota resulting from radionuclides in sediments. Besides being useful for future monitoring efforts, the data produced in this work could be important for the worldwide database on radioactivity in the oceans and seas (MARIS) since no data are available in the Congolese marine environment.

Determination of uranium isotopes in ground water by alpha spectrometry and associated age-dependent ingestion dose.

Determination of uranium isotopes in ground water plays a key role in assessment of geochemical condition of ground water and for estimating ingestion dose received by the general public because of uranium intake through drinking water. An attempt has been made in the present study to estimate isotopic composition and activity ratios (AR) of uranium isotopes by analysing the ground water samples using alpha spectrometry. Associated age-dependent ingestion dose was also calculated for the public of different age groups. 238U, 235U and 234U activity concentration was found to vary in the ranges of 5.85±1.19 to 76.67±4.16, < 0.90 to 3.15±0.84 and 6.52±1.25 to 107.02±4.92 mBq/L, respectively. 235U/238U AR varies from 0.038 to 0.068 with an average of 0.047 which is close to 0.046 implies that uranium in the ground water is from natural origin. Uranium concentration was found to vary in the range of 0.47±0.10μg/L to 6.20±0.34μg/L with a mean value of 3.01±0.23μg/L, which is much lower than national as well as international recommendation value. Annual ingestion dose to the public of all age groups for uranium intake through drinking water ranges from 0.60±0.11 to 19.50±1.03μSv/y.

Radioactivity characteristics of lignite and hard coals: Case study of Zonguldak (Kozlu), Konya (Karapınar) and Antalya (Pamucakyayla) in Türkiye

Abstract In this study, the radioactivity contents of Carboniferous Zonguldak-Kozlu hard coals, Carboniferous Antalya-Pamucakyayla hard coals and Pliocene Konya-Karapınar lignites were determined, then compared with the limit values determined by the authorized institutions and their hazard indexes were determined. The range of measured activity concentrations was from 16.2 Bq·kg−1 to 227.6 Bq·kg−1 for 238U, 20.6 Bq·kg−1 to 67.5 Bq·kg−1 for 232Th and 211.9 Bq·kg−1 to 515.5 Bq·kg−1 for 40K. The calculated mean absorbed gamma dose rate (D), radium equivalent activity (Raeq) and annual equivalent dose (AED) were 105.7 nGy·h−1, 227.9 Bq·kg−1 and 129.6 μSv·h−1, respectively. Although 238U and 232Th radionuclide activity concentrations are comparable to literature values, 40K activity concentrations were around three or four times higher than in UNSCEAR (2000) reports. As it poses a radiological risk, it is necessary to take the necessary precautions to reduce the negative effects on the environment and human health due to use of coals from Konya-Karapınar, Antalya-Pamucakyayla basins and to burn in a controlled manner.

Determination of 40K, 238U and 232Th Activity Levels in Fishes from River Kubanni in Nigeria

Radionuclides exist naturally in the water, soil and air and human activities can increase the concentration of background radiation and redistribution of radioactive isotopes in the environment. In this study, the radioactivity concentration of three radionuclides (40K, 232Th and 238U) was measured in three fish species, Oreochromis niloticus (Tilapia), Brycinus leuciscus (Kawara), Brienomyrus longianails and Clarias anguilaris (catfish) in river Zaria (Kubanni). The results showed that 40K and 232Th concentrations were high in Brienomyrus longianails with mean activities of 357.26 and 92.282 Bq/Kg, respectively. While the concentration of 226Ra was found high in Clarias anguilaris (56.129 Bq/Kg). The mean committed dose for both adults and children were 0.00214 and 0.00342 µSv/Yr, respectively. The values of three radionuclides obtained in this study are lower than the maximum permissible level of 1.0 mSv/yr recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) as the total annual effective dose for the public. The obtained results show that the radiation dose acquired from the consumption of fresh fish from the river Kubanni will have no significant health effect on the populace.

An approach for the indirect determination of 238U and 232Th content in ceramic products based on gross alpha and gross beta measurement

The aim of this work was the development of a procedure for the indirect characterization of 238U and 232Th in ceramic products using the quantification of gross alpha and gross beta activities in a low background proportional counter, which is less time consuming and cheaper than the direct radiochemical methods and gamma spectrometry. The procedure was applied, first, to a reference material used to fine-tune the procedure and statistical techniques, and then, for two types of ceramic products: micronized zircon and zircon flour samples, and spray-dried ceramic powders (atomized).This procedure requires obtaining linear regression models for estimating the activity of 238U and 232Th as a function of specific gross alpha and gross beta measurements. Regression models must be obtained for each type of ceramic material together with the range of application of the model, which depend primarily on the ratio between 238U and 232Th activities. The applications to micronized zircon and zircon flours, and spray-dried ceramic powders demonstrated that the models obtained for the indirect characterization of 238U and 232Th activities explain more than 95% of the variability in the data.In addition, those models were used for predicting the results of new validation samples. Regarding the micronized zircon and zircon flours, predictions were good for the 238U activity with a relative bias of less than 10%, while they were not so accurate for the 232Th activity, with a relative bias of less than 15% for most of the samples. For spray-dried ceramic powders, the predictions were quite good for the 238U activity with a relative bias of less than 20% irrespective of the cluster to which the validation sample belongs, and similarly for the 232Th activity.

A review of naturally occurring radioactive elements in coastal regions of Bangladesh

Extensive and systematic study has been carried out globally to get a thorough understanding of the underlying dynamics of radionuclides in the environment. This study was aimed to examine the natural radioactivity level in coastal areas of Bangladesh by combining the main research carried out on environmental radioactivity, predominantly employing established nuclear methods and methodologies during the past. The concentrations of important radionuclides, including 226Ra, 232Th, 40K, 238U, and 235U, were measured in those investigations. Soil samples showed the highest concentration of 226Ra at Inani Beach, Cox's Bazar (21°8ʹ N latitude, 92°4ʹ E longitude), with a value of 61.66 Bqkg-1. On the other hand, Cox's Bazar Sea Beach has the lowest 226Ra concentration at 10.8 Bqkg-1. In contrast, Cox's Bazar had the highest 226Ra activity in the sand and silt samples (147.93 Bqkg-1), whereas Kuakata Sea Beach (21° 48ʹ N latitude and 90° 10ʹ E longitude) had the lowest (2.82 Bqkg-1). The research found that 226Th activity varied from 1085.99 Bqkg-1 to 27.4 Bqkg-1 in soil samples from Cox's Bazar Sea Beach. In Cox's Bazar, the sand and silt samples showed the highest 226Th activity at 1085.9 Bqkg-1. In contrast, Kuakata Sea Beach has the lowest radioactivity at 9.22 Bqkg-1. Soil samples showed that 40K content was highest at Inani Beach (21°13ʹ N latitude and 92°3ʹ E longitude), Cox's Bazar (1304.11 Bqkg-1) and lowest at Cox's Bazar Sea Beach (25.16 Bqkg-1). The sand and silt sample from Kuakata Sea Beach had the greatest 40K activity, measuring 852 Bqkg-1. However, the sample from Cox's Bazar Sea Beach had the lowest amount (21.9 Bqkg-1). Soil samples from Cox's Bazar Sea Beach showed 238U activity of 455.99 Bqkg-1 and 110.84 Bqkg-1, respectively. The highest 238U activity sand sample was found in Cox's Bazar, measuring 460.5 Bqkg-1. The Patenga region (22°14ʹ N latitude and 91°47ʹ E longitude) in Chattogram has the lowest radioactive level, 45.2 Bqkg-1. The study's findings have been meticulously recorded as crucial foundational knowledge for forthcoming investigations on radionuclides in this coastal area. A comprehensive evaluation of prior published analyses of naturally occurring radioactive elements in the coastal regions of Bangladesh has shown that the level of activity is completely non-hazardous. The experimental areas' soils are ideal for a variety of agricultural and other purposes. Bangladesh J. Nuclear Agric, 37(2): 135-152, 2023

Environmental radioactivity around a mining site and its impact on the populace within specified distances from the site in southwest Nigeria

In this study, we quantify specific activity of 238U, 232Th, and 40K, from soils, water, and vegetables around limestone mining sites because of the dense urban settlement with high agricultural activities around the area. Annual effective dose (AED) was evaluated and used to estimate radiological hazard impact. Mean values of internal radiation hazard index (Hin) for soils, water, and vegetation are calculated and compared with those from literatures. The estimated mean excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) was obtained, too. The values of ELCR are under the world average value as recommended by United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) one of the world regulatory bodies. For this reason, health related issues may occur at long time of living in this environment.

Assessment of NORMs (238U, 232Th, 40K) and radiation hazard indices in Beldih apatite mine region of Purulia district, West Bengal, India.

The radiation arising from naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMs) is the foremost contributor to the collective dose received by the global population. The present study aims to measure the natural background radiation level and the associated gamma radiation dose in air in the Beldih apatite mine region of Purulia district, India. This study is primarily focused on the determination of 238U, 232Th and 40K activities in the sub-surface soil of the study area. The measurements were carried out using a High Purity Germanium (HPGe) detector-based gamma-ray spectrometer with a relative efficiency of 80%. To achieve uniformity in exposure estimations, radium equivalent activity has been calculated. Additionally, the internal hazard index, external hazard index, radioactivity level index and gamma dose rates have been evaluated to estimate the radiation hazard levels in the study area. The comparison of obtained concentrations and hazard indices with global data (UNSCEAR. (2008). Sources, effects and risks of ionizing radiation. United nations scientific committee on the effects of atomic radiation (report to the general assembly, with Annexes).) suggests that this region lies in a relatively high background radiation zone.

Estimation of radioactivity in soil and drinking water samples from Northern Gulbarga District of Karnataka.

The gamma activity of the radionuclides238U, 232Th and 40K were measured in surface soil samples collected from 40 villages of Aland, Afzalpur, Ganaghapur and Kamalapur talukas of Northern Gulbarga district, Karnataka. The gamma activity of natural radionuclides were measured using 4" × 4" NaI (Tl) scintillation detector, the spectrum was analysed using a PC based 1k MCA (winTMCA 32 scinti SPEC) and the 222Rn activity concentrations in drinking water were determined by the Emanometry method. The activity of 238U, 232Th and 40K was found to be in the range from 14.3±0.3 to 64.5±6.1, 15.4±0.2 to 95.0±4.1 and 21±06 to 323±09 Bqkg-1, respectively. Outdoor AED from 0.023 to 0.07 mSvy-1 and all the radiological hazards indices were well within the safe limit. The 222Rn activity in ground water is found to vary from 1.11 to 66.6 Bql-1. The total annual effective doses due to 222Rn inhalation and ingestion range from 3.02 to 181.81μSvy-1, respectively, with an average value of 77.18μSvy-1.

Natural radioactivity measurements and evaluation of radiological hazards in the soil of an iron beneficiation plant in China

The specific activities of natural radionuclides, 232Th, 226Ra, and 40K, in a Chinese iron beneficiation plant and surrounding soil were analyzed with the high purity germanium gamma (HPGe) spectrometer in this study. Average specific activities of 238U, 232Th, 226Ra and 40K lower than the Chinese averages. To assess radiation impact, various indicators, radium equivalent index (Rae q), absorbed dose rate (DR), annual effective dose (AED), excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR), external hazard index (Hex), internal hazard index (Hin) and activity utilization index (AUI), were calculated. Mean values were below international limits, indicating no significant health hazards for the local population. Statistical analyses, including skewness and kurtosis calculations, along with techniques like frequency distribution, Pearson's correlation analysis, box plots and cluster analysis, were applied to comprehensively assess distribution patterns and interrelationships among radiological parameters. In summary, there are no potential health hazards associated with the soil in the study region for people.

Risk assessment and rare metals mineralization associated with alteration aspects of Rhyolite flow tuffs, Egypt

Argillic alteration and hematitization are the two extensive alterations that affected Um Safi rhyolite flow tuffs. Rare metal mineralization including radioactive minerals (thorite, uranothorite), Nb-bearing minerals (columbite, yettrocolumbite, Nb-rutile), zircon, REE-minerals (LREE-carbonate, xenotime) as well as molybdite, pyrite, fluorite, hematite and ilmenite have been identified by using Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (EDS) and are well recorded in argillic and hematitized samples. The investigated rhyolite flow tuffs show that the activity concentration of radionuclides changed from 1.2 to 453.2 Bq kg−1 for 238U, from 3.2 to 489.6 Bq kg−1 for 232Th, and from 31.3 to 88954.6 Bq kg−1 for 40K. The mean values of 238U, 232Th, and 40K activity concentrations are 90.8 ± 84.5, 122.9 ± 90.5 and 6286.7 ± 1562.2 Bq kg−1, respectively. The hazard factors are estimated. Their results exceeded the recommended limit. Thus, the investigated rhyolite flow tuffs are not safe to use in building materials and other construction industries. A multi-statistical approach is performed to show the correlation between the radioactive concentration and radiological hazard factors. This approach illustrates the positive correlation between uranium and thorium due to their contribution from the natural radioactive series—moreover, a strong correlation was obtained between potassium and all radiological parameters. Thus, the radioactive hazards impact in the present study is related to the presence of radioactive minerals such as thorite and uranothorite in addition to other accessory minerals.

Environmental Risk Assessment of Combined Radioactive and Chemical Pollution in Soil

The purpose of the study is to define the level of combined radiological and chemical contamination from the activities of soil and moss samples collected from the Eastern Black Sea region in Turkey and to assess the risk caused by the environmental radioactivity and chemical pollutants. The gamma, gross beta and gross alpha activities were measured in the soil and moss samples. The 238U, 232Th, 40K and 137Cs activity concentrations in the soil samples were measured in the range of 7.0 and 72 Bq kg-1 for 238U, 8.1 and 86 Bq kg-1 for 232Th, 203 and 1190 Bq kg-1 for 40K and 0.71 to 66 Bq kg-1 for 137Cs. In the moss samples, the 137Cs, 40K, 232Th, and 238U activity concentrations were found in the range of 1.03�0.27-24.23�1.39, 137�7-1340�68, 3.58�0.32-5.93�0.44 and 0.88�0.09-2.25�0.23 Bq kg-1, respectively. Contamination from toxic metals in the soils is categorized into enrichment factor, geo-accumulation risk, potential ecological risk and pollution load index. Co, Ni, As and Pb enrichments were determined in the extreme category in the 6 sampling sites. The pollution load index for the selected metals was found to be greater than 1. The geo-accumulation index in one sampling site showed contamination from heavy to severe levels of arsenic and lead.

Anomalous 234U/238U isotopic composition in Southern Ocean sediments

Uranium is a redox-sensitive trace element that under certain sedimentary conditions will reflect changes in past biological productivity and/or deep ocean ventilation. Applications for the isotopic composition of U (234U:238U activity ratio, δ234U or the per mil deviation from secular equilibrium) as a paleoceanographic proxy, however, remain largely unexplored in pelagic sediments. We present δ234U of bulk U for a 504-kyr record of South Atlantic core ODP 1094, a record that has exhibited sensitivity to bottom water formation with minimal 238U remobilization due to changes in redox condition. Sedimentary δ234U at time of burial was modeled given authigenic and detrital sources, where it was found that δ234U has a reoccurring pattern of anomalous behavior around deglacial transitions. In many cases, the anomalous δ234U compositions in sediment exceeded seawater, which is not consistent with its expected sources. A mass balance of 234U across these anomalous sections showed that vertical rearrangement of 234U can explain anomalous sedimentary δ234U during Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 7/8 and 11/12 transitions, as well as partially during MIS 5/6 and MIS 9/10. The distribution of these anomalies is likely consistent with the idea that deglacial spikes in aU, resulting from periods of high organic carbon delivery and thereby strong reduction in the sediments, act as a persistent sink of 234U alpha-recoiled from vertically adjacent sediment layers after burial. While this mechanism explains the negative δ234U anomalies, there is a large subset of positive δ234U anomalies that cannot be explained by vertical diffusion of 234U in pore waters alone. This excess 234U points to an extremely high δ234U source to seawater during deglaciation or additional diagenetic effects such as diffusion from lateral heterogeneity in the redox state of sediment at depth. We find that δ234U of pelagic sediment may be useful to identify fine-scale pore water migration of alpha-recoil products.

Effect of fungal isolates from different samples upon radionuclide behavior and environmental hazard indices during bioleaching process in Gabal Um Hamd, Um Bogma area, southwestern Sinai, Egypt

Two fungal species were isolated from the studied rock samples and identified morphologically as Aspergillus hollandicus and Penicillium citrinum. Bioleaching process was applied to W1, W2 and W3. The average concentration activity of 238U, 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K are 5134.03, 5708.64, 189.51, and 1456.8 BqKg−1, respectively. Radionuclide’s distribution in leach liquor, residual, and fungal adsorption were followed and environmental hazard indices (Raeq, Iγ, Hex, Hin, and ECLR) were calculated. From the observed outcomes, the isolated fungal strains have the potential to reduce the harmful effect up to 50% compared to the original. As a result, application of these fungal strains offers a potential strategy for environmental remediation of radionuclides.

Mobility, activity ratio significance and risk assessment of radionuclides in sandstone of Magharet El Miah, Southwestern Sinai, Egypt

Sedimentary rocks of Magharet El Miah were radiometrically analyzed for determination of radionuclides 238U, 232Th, 226Ra and 40K activity concentrations. The U-content and Th/U ratio in these rocks illustrated poor weathering and rapid deposition of rock detritus. Preferential dissolution of 234U due to α-decay related processes and its re-adsorption and precipitation are responsible for the observed radioactive disequilibrium in 234U/238U of Magharet El Miah sandstone. 234U mobilization could be related to the effect of surficial or underground water. 226Ra/238U disequilibrium could be revised to the difference in the geochemical characteristics of the two isotopes. 230Th/238U activity ratios were lower than unity in all samples (10 samples) except sample number 1, suggesting selective uranium accumulation in most samples or 230Th leaching by acidified water where the rocks contain high sulpher contents. Many of the 238U/235U activity ratios were shifted from the natural ratio due to the changes in redox conditions that leads to fractionation of higher isotope from lighter one. The plotted value of 234U/238U and 230Th/238U illustrated that the U-accumulation occurred in the period from <6 × 104–105 years. The studied sandstone had higher values for uranium (95.4 ± 7.1 to 130.3 ± 12.3 Bq.kg−1), thorium (65.8 ± 4.2 and 78.4 ± 6.7 Bq.kg−1) and radium (68.2 ± 4.4 and 80.3 ± 9.1 Bq.kg−1) but lower for potassium (38.4 ± 1.2 and 54.2 ± 2.3 Bq.kg−1) in comparison with international permissible levels. All the estimated environmental hazard indices illustrated that most samples lied in the permissible level ranges. Cluster analyses indicated that the main environmental health hazard parameters exist due to the activity concentrations of 238U and 226Ra.

Natural radionuclides in thermal mineral springs in Edipsos Greece.

Natural thermal and mineral therapeutic springs exist all over Greece. A radiological survey has been carried out in the municipality of Edipsos to study the naturally occurring alpha emitter radionuclides, 226Ra and the uranium isotopes. Thirteen thermal spring water samples and six tap water samples which were collected from five locations in the municipality of Edipsos, were analysed and measured by a-spectrometry. The obtained results show that 238U activity varies between 2.8±0.3 and 65.0±5.3 mBq/L in hot springs and between 2.70±0.35 and 10.6±0.9 mBq/L in tap water samples. The 234U/238U activity ratio lying between 1.12±0.17 and 2.12±0.30 indicates enrichment in the 234U concentration that can be explained through its ability to be easily leached from mineral surfaces. The 226Ra activity concentration varies between 3.5±0.4 and 1470±127 mBq/L in hot springs and between 6.5±0.9 and 28.2±2.8 mBq/L in tap water samples. Based on these results the estimated doses in this study are below the recommended dose of 1mSv/y. Highlights A radiological survey was carried out in the thermal springs of Edipsos, one of the most popular spa towns in Greece. Determination of uranium isotopes and 226Ra via a-spectrometry was performed. Low uranium content was a common characteristic for all the samples.