Natural Radioactivity In Groundwater Research Articles

Radiological characterization related to lithology and risk assessment of bottled natural mineral water

The enhancement of natural radioactivity in groundwater, specifically in natural mineral water, is related to the lithological formations through which water bodies or courses pass. Although natural mineral waters are exempt from monitoring for radioactive substances according to Council Directive 2013/51/EURATOM, this study focuses on the radiological characterization of natural mineral water under Spanish Royal Decree 3/2023. The water studied was taken from Catalan aquifers with different lithological characteristics (sedimentary, metamorphic or granitic) and is sold on local markets. Moreover, radiological data on the water was correlated with its lithological origin and the health risk for different age groups was assessed. Our results showed that of the 26 natural mineral waters studied, 10 exceeded gross alpha screening value (100 mBq/L), all from granitic aquifers. Further research on natural individual radionuclides was conducted on these ten samples. 234U and 238U were at around 1100–1600 mBq/L. In addition, 210Pb was found in two samples, which also presented the highest 226Ra activity, associated with granitic bedrock and the presence of 210Po. The annual effective dose was 179.0 µSv/year and 145.9 µSv/year, exceeding 100 µSv/year mainly due to the contribution of 210Pb > 234,238U > 210Po > 226Ra, in this order. After assessing the lifetime cancer risk, these two samples were determined not to pose a health risk due to ingestion. Although no radiological monitoring is required for natural mineral water, further surveillance is recommendable.

Natural radioactivity of groundwater in Vendian deposits in St. Petersburg Region

The study is focused on the hydrogeological conditions and the chemistry of groundwater of the Vendian aquifer in the western part of the Leningrad oblast (Karelian Isthmus and the area near Sosnovy Bor town) and St. Petersburg City, where groundwater features higher radioactivity, but nevertheless it is used for drinking water supply. Data on the radiological characteristics, which have been determined in the estimation of the quality of groundwater used for drinking are generalized and analyzed. These characteristics include the gross alpha and gross beta activity and the specific activity of natural radionuclides 222Rn, 226Ra, 228Ra, 210Pb, 210Po, 238U, and 234U. The data were subjected to statistical and correlation analysis to determine the hygienic criteria for the use of groundwater of this aquifer for drinking water supply and to study the sources and the processes of formation of the natural radiological background. Groundwater quality standards were shown to be exceeded in the majority of the analyzed wells. The brackish water in the southern, deeper, part of the aquifer system was shown to have higher radioactivity and relatively high concentrations of 226Ra, 228Ra, 210Pb, and 210Po, compared with fresh water in the northern part of the territory, of which higher, though nonuniform, 222Rn activity is typical. Relationships between the radiation characteristics of groundwater are considered along with the causes of formation of groundwater radionuclide composition as a result of the higher radioactivity of the host deposits and the chemistry of groundwater; changes in the radiological and hydrochemical background groundwater characteristics from the north to the south are characterized in accordance with the subsidence of the aquifer system and an increase in the stagnation of the hydrochemical regime. The analysis of the well-known relationship between the concentrations of radium isotopes in groundwater, uranium and thorium isotopes in the host rocks, and groundwater residence time in the aquifer, along with the comparison of the available field data with calculation results, suggested the conclusion that the concentration of uranium in the water-bearing rocks in the major portion of the area under consideration is higher than its regional mean values.

Reduction of natural radioactivity in groundwater with different salinity through adsorption of uranium and radium in filter materials.

In many small communities in the Mediterranean area, groundwater is usually the only water body available. Depending mainly on the surrounding geology, their concentration of naturally occurring radionuclides may pose a radiological hazard. Removal of uranium and radium from drinking water is the best way to avoid it, i.e., reverse osmosis (RO), but consuming a lot of energy. Thus, two modified drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs) using zeolites coated with manganese dioxide as adsorbent material were analyzed as an alternative to RO. Groundwater salinity can negatively affect this process. Radium removal decreased as water salinity increased; but it had a major impact on uranium, rendering the adsorption effectless in one DWTP. Waste management and how to avoid it from becoming radioactive are of major concern. Radium and uranium were associated to the reducible fraction in the filter material and also to the carbonate fraction in the case of uranium. Regeneration of the filter material using KCl solutions was able to remove 81% and 63% of uranium and radium, respectively.

Estimation of radiation doses due to groundwater intake at a volcanic island: Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain)

The main source of drinking water in the volcanic island of Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain) is groundwater (ca. 80%), which is extracted through an extremely dense network of galleries and wells (with a total cumulative length of about 1600 km). This is a singular feature compared to mainland territories, where surface water is the main source of drinking water. In addition, in volcanic contexts, radionuclide concentration activity can increase because of enhanced water-rock reactions due to thermal anomalies and carbon dioxide-enriched groundwater. Natural radioactivity in groundwater from this island was measured on 74 samples from galleries, wells and water channels. Gross alpha, gross beta and gross beta without potassium activity concentrations were in the range of <0.001–1.22 Bq/L, 0.127–3.46 Bq/L and <0.010–1.44 Bq/L, respectively. A complete radiological characterization was determined in 42 groundwater samples in which gross alpha and/or gross beta without potassium activity concentrations exceeded the WHO and Spanish recommendations. Average radionuclide activity concentrations decreased in the order: 234 U, 238 U, 210 Pb, 235 U, 230 Th, 210 Po, 232 Th, 226 Ra. The contribution of groundwater to the total annual effective dose from all measured radionuclides for each age group was 56 ± 8 μSv/year (1–2 years), 44 ± 6 μSv/year (2–7 years), 35 ± 4 μSv/year (7–12 years), 32 ± 3 μSv/year (12–17 years) and 31 ± 4 μSv/year (>17 years). These values are below the 100 μSv/year reference level of the effective dose recommended by WHO. • Gross alpha/beta, 40 K and remainder beta were measured on 74 groundwater samples. • A complete radiological characterization of 42 groundwater samples was performed. • The total annual effective ingestion doses were determined for 5 age groups. • The contribution of each radionuclide to the assessed doses was calculated.

Natural Radioactivity in Groundwater in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province

This research aims to study the specific activity of natural radioactivity in groundwater samples taken in the area of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, Thailand. Totally, sixty groundwater samples collected from wells in eight districts were monitored and determined for radionuclides 226Ra, 232Th and 40K and gross alpha and beta were determined using high resolution gamma spectrometer and Canberra Tennelec Series 5 gas flow proportional counter, respectively. Most of the sixty wells serve for water consumption and some other wells for agricultural. The results showed that the average activity concentrations of the gross alpha and beta were 0.01±0.007 and 0.15±0.02 Bq L-1 and the specific activity of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K were averagely 0.77±0.13, 1.03±0.19 and 15.56±1.28 Bq L-1, and respectively. The activity concentrations of the gross alpha and beta and the specific activity of the radionuclides in these samples exhibited quite low as compared to the recommended reference level for human consumption reported by World Health Organization (WHO).

Evaluation of gross-α and gross-β activities in groundwater of the Haihe River Plain, China

The investigation provides the first data of gross-α and gross-β activities in groundwater of the Haihe River Plain, China. Ranges of gross-α and gross-β activities vary from 17 to 362 mBq/L and from 18 to 779 mBq/L, respectively. These values are below the permissible limits given by the WHO for drinking water, but they do not include possible additional dose that may emanate from gaseous phases. Comparison of gross-α and gross-β activities with data from groundwater in other parts of China and globally suggests that precipitation rate has strong control on natural radioactivity in groundwater, particularly of shallow aquifers.

Natural radioactivity in groundwater from the south-eastern Arabian Peninsula and environmental implications

Groundwater is the most valuable resource in arid regions, and recognizing radiological criteria among other water quality parameters is essential for sustainable use. In the investigation presented here, gross-α and gross-β were measured in groundwater samples collected in the south-eastern Arabian Peninsula, 67 wells in Unite Arab Emirates (UAE), as well as two wells and one spring in Oman. The results show a wide gross-α and gross-β activities range in the groundwater samples that vary at 0.01∼19.5 Bq/l and 0.13∼6.6 Bq/l, respectively. The data show gross-β and gross-α values below the WHO permissible limits for drinking water in the majority of the investigated samples except those in region 4 (Jabel Hafit and surroundings). No correlation between groundwater pH and the gross-α and gross-β, while high temperatures probably enhance leaching of radionuclides from the aquifer body and thereby increase the radioactivity in the groundwater. This conclusion is also supported by the positive correlation between radioactivity and amount of total dissolved solid. Particular water purification technology and environmental impact assessments are essential for sustainable and secure use of the groundwater in regions that show radioactivity values far above the WHO permissible limit for drinking water.

Natural radioactivity of ground water in some areas in Aden governorate South of Yemen Region

This paper presents the concentrations of naturally occurring radionuclides 226 Ra, 232 Th and 40 K measured in groundwater samples collected from Aden governorate South of Yemen Region using gamma spectroscopy. A total of 37 groundwater samples were collected from four areas in Aden governorate. The average activity concentrations for groundwater from Beer Ahmed area were 1.60 Bq/L, 1.25 Bq/L and 16.90 Bq/L for 226 Ra, 232 Th and 40 K respectively and from Beer Fadle area were 1.45 Bq/L, 0.87 Bq/L and 19.8 Bq/L for 226 Ra, 232 Th and 40 K, respectively, while that for groundwater samples from Daar-saad area were 1.27 Bq/L, 1.18 Bq/L and 18.28 Bq/L for 226 Ra, 232 Th and 40 K, respectively and Al-Masabian area were 1.55 Bq/L, 1.421 Bq/L and 19.03 Bq/L for 226 Ra, 232 Th and 40 K respectively. Furthermore, annual effective dose equivalent of ingestion of these waters was calculated. The results showed that the annual dose obtained in the present study was much higher than the recommended value (0.1 mSv/year) as reported by WHO. The results were compared with those for drinking water.

Natural radioactivity of groundwater in Serbia

Activity concentrations of radionuclides 40K, 228Ra, 226Ra, 238U and Th232 and gross alpha and beta activities were analyzed in more than 100 samples of groundwater in Serbia. The highest gross alpha activity was recorded at 1.33 Bq/L (average 0.12 Bq/L), while the highest beta activity was 5.43 Bq/L (average 0.68 Bq/L). The potassium isotope 40K exhibited the highest active concentration (2.6 Bq/L) and was the largest contributor to the gross natural beta activity. Among the analyzed samples, 28 were found to have elevated beta activity concentrations, of which five samples also measured elevated alpha activity. All the groundwater samples that exhibited elevated radioactivity were of the HCO3-Na type and were genetically associated with granitic rocks. Their TDS levels and CO2 gas concentrations were also elevated.

The Natural Radioactivity in groundwater from selected areas in Greater Accra region of Ghana by gross alpha and gross beta measurements

Gross alpha and gross beta in 26 groundwater samples from Adentan to Abokobi areas in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana were determined using Alpha/Beta counting system (Canberra iMatic TM ). The average activity concentrations of gross alpha and gross beta were 0.034 and 0.501 Bq/L for Adentan, and 0.066 and 0.470 Bq/L for Abokobi, respectively. The results obtained are below the guideline levels of gross alpha (0.5 Bq/L) and gross beta (1.0 Bq/L) in drinking water established by the World Health Organisation. These results show that consumption of groundwater for the study areas may not pose any significant radiological health hazards through ingestion to the population.

Natural radioactivity in groundwater – a review

The issue of natural radioactivity in groundwater is reviewed, with emphasis on those radioisotopes which contribute in a significant way to the overall effective dose received by members of the public due to the intake of drinking water originating from groundwater systems. The term ‘natural radioactivity’ is used in this context to cover all radioactivity present in the environment, including man-made (anthropogenic) radioactivity. Comprehensive discussion of radiological aspects of the presence of natural radionuclides in groundwater, including an overview of current regulations dealing with radioactivity in drinking water, is provided. The presented data indicate that thorough assessments of the committed doses resulting from the presence of natural radioactivity in groundwater are needed, particularly when such water is envisaged for regular intake by infants. They should be based on a precise determination of radioactivity concentration levels of the whole suite of radionuclides, including characterisation of their temporal variability. Equally important is a realistic assessment of water intake values for specific age groups. Only such an evaluation may provide the basis for possible remedial actions.

Natural radioactivity in groundwater and estimates of committed effective dose due to water ingestion in the state of Chihuahua (Mexico)

The activity concentration of 222Rn, 226Ra and total uranium in groundwater samples collected from wells distributed throughout the state of Chihuahua has been measured. The values obtained of total uranium activity concentration in groundwater throughout the state run from <0.03 up to 1.34 Bq l-1. Generally, radium activity concentration was <0.16 Bq l-1, with some exceptions; in spring water of San Diego de Alcalá, in contrast, the value reached approximately 5.3 Bq l-1. Radon activity concentration obtained throughout the state was from 1.0 to 39.8 Bq l-1. A linear correlation between uranium and radon dissolved in groundwater of individual wells was observed near Chihuahua City. Committed effective dose estimates for reference individuals were performed, with results as high as 134 microSv for infants in Aldama city. In Aldama and Chihuahua cities the average and many individual wells showed activity concentration values of uranium exceeding the Mexican norm of drinking water quality.

Krakow Radiocarbon Measurements I

The Krakow Radiocarbon Laboratory is part of the Environmental Physics Department headed by T Florkowski and belongs to the Institute of Physics and Nuclear Techniques, The Academy of Mining and Metallurgy. A 3H and 14C laboratory was built primarily for the assessment of natural radioactivity in groundwater. In 1982, 14C preparation facilities were extended to include a combustion system for organic samples. The 14C measurement method is liquid scintillation counting on synthesized benzene in an LSC spectrometer TRI-CARB model 3320 (Packard International).

Radon, radium, and other radioactivity in ground water: hydrogeologic impact and application to indoor airborne contamination: proceedings of the NWWA Conference, April 7-9, 1987, Somerset, New Jersey

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Natural Radionuclides in Ground Water

Most natural radioactivity in ground water originates from primordial radionuclides and their unstable decay products. An important secondary source is cosmic-ray production of radionuclides which are carried into the subsurface during ground water recharge. Activation by the natural flux of subsurface neutrons will also produce minor amounts of radionuclides in ground water. A study of natural radionuclides can contribute to our understanding of 1) the origin of many economic mineral deposits, 2) the “age” of ground water, 3) the subsurface mixing of ground water from various sources, 4) the amount and distribution of natural recharge, 5) the long-term flow characteristics of ground water systems and 6) the safety of certain disposal systems designed for the isolation of hazardous wastes. Of the radionuclides in ground water, only 222Rn, 226Ra, and possibly 238U have been considered as potentially harmful to human health in concentrations to be expected in nature.