Measurements of radon levels in ground water by γ-ray spectrometry

Abstract EN

Radon, a naturally occurring radioactive noble gas, is the main source of the natural radiation received by population.

It is derived from the activities of naturally occurring radio- nuclides of uranium- and thorium series, specifically of radium in rocks and can difiUse directly or as solution in water to the earth’s surface.

Measurements of222Rn concentrations in 21 water samples collected from groundwater wells in Buraydah city, Saudi Arabia (SA) were investigated.

Most of the raw-water radon was removed by plant treatment processes.

Aeration and filtration resulted in 60% radon removal compared to about 79~97 % removal in treatment plants by reverse osmosis- or electro-dialysis processes along with aeration.

The concentrations of 222Rn were measured by y-ray spectrometry using HPGe detector with relative efficiency of 50%.The radon activity concentration was de te rmine d by taking the average concentrations derived from y-ray line s as sociated with 214Pb and 214Bi decay.

It was found that the concentrations of 222Rn ranged between 1.79 ±0.5 to 9.28±1.17 Bq T1.

These values are below 11.1 Bq T1, recommended as maximum level according to the proposed national limits.