Radioactivity In Water Samples Research Articles

Assessment of Radioactivity of Some Samples of Healthy Drinking Water and Liquefied Water in Some Areas of the Capital Baghdad Using HPGE Detector System

In this work, a total of 20 water samples were collected from various locations inside the city of Baghdad. Each sample consists of a volume of 1 litre of water which had been obtained from multiple geographical locations. There were twelve water samples representing pure tap water sourced from various locations additionally, eight samples of mineral water were obtained from several marketplaces in Baghdad. A total of six radionuclides were detected in the water samples using the HPGe detector. These radionuclides were identified as Bi 214, Ra 226, TI 208, Bi 212, Pb 212, and K 40. Among these, Bi 214 and Ra 226 are part of the U-238 series, while TI 208, Bi 212, and Pb 212 belong to the Th 232 series. Additionally, K 40 is a naturally occurring radionuclide. The observed minimum value for the average specific activity of radionuclides in pure tap water samples was Al-Yarmouk Pure tap water. However, the sample Hay Al-qahira pure tap water exhibited the highest recorded specific activity values of radionuclides in pure tap water. The observed minimum value for the average specific activity of radionuclides in mineral water samples was Bardaa mineral water. However, the sample (W15) exhibited the highest recorded values for the specific activity of radionuclides in mineral water. The measured external dosage of natural radioactivity in water samples from Baghdad was found to be relatively low, at 0.366 mSv.y-1. This value falls below the recommended limit the United Nations Scientific Committee set on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR), 1 mSv.y-1.

Determination of optimal PSA for the measurement of gross alpha and beta radioactivity in ‎water samples by LSC

Measurement and determination of gross alpha and gross beta radioactivity in water are important in all societies and countries of the world because of their adiobiological risks and is part of the goals of standards and public health organizations. Liquid scintillation counting technique is one of the best methods for simultaneously measuring alpha and beta-particle-emitting in water. In this technique, due to the overlap of spectra of alpha and beta, evaluation of the alpha and beta interference and the appropriate PSA value is very important for sample counting rate. The purpose of this work is to measure the activity concentration of gross alpha and beta in bottled water and compare them with the allowable limit and international standards. To achieve the goal of this research, the work was carried out in two phases. In phase 1, the alpha and beta interference and the appropriate PSA are obtained using two standard solutions of americium-241 and strontium-90 with activity of 21 and 40 Bq. In phase 2, The 10 bottled drinking water samples from different brands are analyzed using LSC. The results of the sample counting showed appropriate PSA value of 110 for the measurement of gross alpha and gross beta radioactivity in water. The measurement results showed that the gross alpha and beta activity concentrations were 41-62 mBqL-1 and 57-85 mBqL-1 which are below the allowable limit by comparing the standard limits.

Assessment of natural radioactivity hazards in selected water samples collected from northern regions of Oman

This study explores the radioactivity hazards in water samples collected from the Northern regions of Oman. The naturally occurring radioactive nuclides of the main series, 238U, 232Th, 235U and 40k have been studied by means of low level gamma spectroscopy. Majority of the studied valleys (wadis) are descending from Super Hajar Mountains either towards its east part (coastal area) or the west part (desert). Water samples were analyzed by applying the same analysis technique and ranges of concentrations of 238U, 232Th, 235U and 40K were found to be (0.35-1.7), (<DL-0.17), (0.01-0.18) and (0.26-0.91) all in Bq.L-1 respectively. The radiological hazards, D, HR and Raeq were calculated and found at ranges (0.21-7.94) nGy/h, (3.0-9.0)*10−4 mSv/yr and (0.02-3.6) Bq.L−1 respectively. The Hin, Hex and Iγr results were less than 1. The assessment of radioactivity in water samples showed values lower than world-wide average according to (WHO. The results indicate that the radiation hazard from naturally and artificially radionuclides in water samples from the area studied in this current work is barely significant.

Measurement of Natural Radioactivity in Water Samples from Al Dora Thermal Power plant in Baghdad Governorate

Measurement of Natural Radioactivity in Water Samples from Al Dora Thermal Power plant in Baghdad Governorate

Removal of radionuclides from Estonian groundwater using aeration, oxidation, and filtration

Groundwater in the north-eastern suburb of Tallinn was analysed to determine the content of iron, manganese, sulphides, ammonia, and radionuclides (Ra 226 , Ra 228 ) and total radioactivity. It was established that for several wells of the Cambrian-Vendian water layer the annual effective dose would exceed the EU guideline for drinking water (0.1 mSv/yr). The purpose was to find a technology for simultaneous purification of groundwater from iron, manganese, sulphides, ammonia, and some radionuclides (Ra 226 , Ra 228 ). A pilot plant consisting of a Venturi-type aeration unit GDT (Gas-Degas Technology, Mazzei Corp., USA), an oxidation tank, and two-stage filtration columns was constructed. Several non-catalytic (Everzit Special Plus, sand) and catalytic filter materials (Filtersorb FMH, Pyrolox) were tested. Along the flow sheet from the aerator to the II stage filter outlet the pH, dissolved oxygen and carbon dioxide, turbidity, the content of iron, manganese, and ammonia were monitored, mainly by using spectrophotometry (HACH DR/2000). Radioactivity of water samples was determined by the Estonian Radiation Centre using the liquid scintillation counting method and γ-spectrometry. It was established that by intensive aeration of groundwater followed by oxidation for a certain contact time and appropriate selection of filter materials of different properties, it was possible to remove together with iron and manganese also radium isotopes. The total effectiveness of the process was 90% removal of gross-alfa and 70% removal of gross-beta activity of groundwater. Since the uranium content in the well water was marginal and radon was almost totally (99%) removed in the degas separator, the total effective dose was calculated by Ra 226 and Ra 228 . It was about 0.067 mSv/yr, which is lower than the EU DWD guideline (0.1 mSv/yr). The theoretical assumption that radionuclides were already removed with Fe(OH)3 flocks in the first filtration step was verified by examining wash water. The radioactivity of wash water containing precipitate and the filtered wash water were measured. Results showed 4.6 times higher gross-alfa and 5.3 times higher gross-beta activity in the water containing precipitate. The co-precipitation process, where MnO2 and Fe(OH)3 flocks played an essential role, resulted in simultaneous removal of radium isotopes. Co-precipitation of radium with MnO2 was more effective than with Fe(OH)3.

Determination of gross α and β activities in waters from Batman, Turkey

The city of Batman, located in the southeastern part of Turkey, has lately been receiving national attention because of its oil reserves and production, and cultural, tourist attractions and rapid industrialization. There is no information about radioactivity measurement reported in water samples in the Batman province so far. For this reason, the concentrations of gross α and β radioactivity in water samples collected from 16 different sampling stations in Batman have been determined. The instrumentation used to count the gross α and β activities was an α/β counter of the low background multiple detector type with 10 sample detectors (Berthold LB770). The obtained results showed that natural activity concentrations of α- and β-emitting radionuclides in drinking water, river water and well water samples are within the range recommended by WHO, while thermal spring water is not in this range. Gross α and β activities of tap, well and river waters range from 10.8 mBq.l −1 to 73.4 mBq.l −1 and from 3 mBq.l −1 to 347 mBq.l −1, respectively. Concentration of thermal spring water is 3909.5 and 2097 mBq.l −1 for gross α and β, respectively. The gross β activities are generally higher than the corresponding gross α activities. The results obtained in this study indicate that the individual effective doses are below the WHO recommended reference level of 0.1 mSv.y −1 for all water samples, except for the thermal spring water, and shows no significant departure from the other parts of the country.

Self-absorption correction for beta radioactivity measurements in water samples

Two methods were used to apply self-absorption corrections for the determination of beta radioactivity in water samples (either for an identified radionuclide or for monitoring trends). One method was performed by estimating the absorption coefficient by assuming an exponential behaviour of absorption using external absorbers, while the other method was performed by preparing empirical curves using standards of different mass. In the first method, a relationship between absorption coefficient and maximum beta energy was also derived. In the second method, self-absorption curves for 90Sr/ 90Y standard were prepared with several sodium salts (carbonate, nitrate and sulphate salts) and, for 40K standard using a potassium salt. Both beta emitters are usually necessary to calibrate detectors for beta radioactivity measurements. This study showed that, for 90Sr/ 90Y, results using standards of different mass were more accurate than using external absorbers. Furthermore, it is highly recommended to melt sodium nitrate salts in order to perform a self-absorption curve for 90Sr/ 90Y because standards were stable in time and homogeneously distributed. For 40K, a self-absorption curve may be easily derived using paper absorbers of different thickness, instead of performing a time consuming self-absorption curve using a set of varying thickness of 40K standards. In order to test the two methods, the gross beta activity of several environmental water samples was analysed.

PIXE and radioactivity measurements for elemental determination in river water and sediment samples

In order to evaluate the evolution of contamination we collected river water and sediment samples in the every spring season since 1998. The elemental analysis of water and sediment samples was performed by PIXE using the 3X2 MeV NEC Tandem accelerator at the Taipei Institute of Physics. The characterization of alpha- and beta-radioactive levels for water and sediment samples was performed by a BH1216, low background radioactivity instrument at the Shanghai Institute of Nuclear Research. The PIXE results showed that the elemental contents of Cl, K, Ca, Cr, Mn, Fe, Zn and Pb in river water gradually decreased with the rising tide. At high tide, their concentrations were minimum and then increased toward the ebb tide. The analysis also demonstrated that the radioactivity of water samples had been gradually decreasing year by year. It was found that the decreasing rate of alpha-radioactivity was a little quicker than that of beta-radioactivity. Further aspects of environmental data evaluation and assessment are also discussed.

MONITORING RIVER WATER AND SEDIMENT SAMPLES BY BOTH PIXE ANALYSIS AND RADIOACTIVITY DETERMINATION

In cooperation with the Shanghai Environmental Specimen Bank (SESB) research project and in support of the Shanghai government's comprehensive plan to harness the Suzhou River, we collected water and sediment samples in the every spring season since 1998. The elemental analysis of sediment and water samples was performed by the PIXE technique using the 3 × 2 MeV NEC Tandem accelerator at the Taipei Institute of Physics. The characterization of á and â radioactive levels for water and sediment samples was performed using BH1216, low-background, radioactivity instrument at the Shanghai Institute of Nuclear Research. PIXE results showed that the content of Cl , K , Ca , Cr , Mn , Fe , Zn and Pb in river water gradually decreased with the rising tide. At high tide, their concentrations were minimum, and then once again increased toward the ebb tide. The analysis also demonstrated that the radioactivity of water samples had been gradually decreasing year by year. It was found that the decreasing rate of á radioactivity was a little quicker than that of â radioactivity. Further aspects of environmental data evaluation and assessment are also discussed in detail.

Gross alpha and gross beta radioactivity in drinking water from Zacatecas and Guadalupe cities, Mexico

The conditions to measure the gross alpha and gross beta radioactivity in water samples from Zacatecas and Guadalupe cities in the State of Zacatecas, Mexico were established. The gross alpha and beta radioactivity of water samples were measured using a liquid scintillation detector. The results show that the gross beta radioactivity in all cases is lower than the maximum contaminant level and the gross alpha radioactivity is higher in the samples collected from Guadalupe City and in the samples collected from the Southwest of Zacatecas City.

Gross alpha and gross beta radioactivity of water samples from ININ and Maquixco in the State of Mexico

The conditions to measure the gross alpha and gross beta radioactivity in water samples from the surrounding of the Nuclear Center (Instituto Nacional Investigaciones Nucleares, (ININ), and Collection, Treatment and Storage Center for Low Level Radioactive Waste (Maquixco) in the State of Mexico were established. The samples were collected from 1987 to 1996. The gross alpha and gross beta radioactivity in the samples were determined by a gas-flow proportional counter. The results indicated that the gross alpha and gross beta radioactive contamination in water samples were below the maximum contaminant level (MCL).