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Poręba G, Tudyka K, Walencik-Łata A, Kolarczyk A. Bias in 238U decay chain members measured by γ-ray spectrometry due to 222Rn leakage. Appl Radiat Isot 2019; 156:108945. [PMID: 31732423 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2019.108945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Revised: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
In this work we investigate and quantify how effectively the noble gas 222Rn is trapped inside measurement beakers used in high-resolution gamma-ray spectrometry. We test six types of different beakers commonly utilized in γ spectrometry, including one novel construction, the γBeaker. We assessed 222Rn leakage by injecting 222Rn rich air into the examined beakers and investigated the abnormal decrease in 222Rn daughters - 214Pb and 214Bi. The measured decay times were used to estimate the 222Rn leakage. In addition, we investigated the influence of an additional beaker sealed with tape. However, the additional beaker sealing only slightly reduced the 222Rn escape and was not reproducible. Almost every tested beaker exhibited heavy 222Rn leakage. This may lead to an underestimation and radioactivity over-dispersion of 238U decay chain members when they are measured via their 222Rn daughter products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grzegorz Poręba
- Silesian University of Technology, Institute of Physics - Centre for Science and Education, Division of Radioisotopes, Ul. S. Konarskiego 22B, 44-100, Gliwice, Poland.
| | - Konrad Tudyka
- Silesian University of Technology, Institute of Physics - Centre for Science and Education, Division of Radioisotopes, Ul. S. Konarskiego 22B, 44-100, Gliwice, Poland.
| | - Agata Walencik-Łata
- University of Silesia, Institute of Physics, Department of Nuclear Physics and Its Applications, Ul. 75 Pułku Piechoty 1, 41-500, Chorzów, Poland
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Hill L, Suursoo S, Kiisk M, Jantsikene A, Nilb N, Munter R, Realo E, Koch R, Putk K, Leier M, Vaasma T, Isakar K. Long-term monitoring of water treatment technology designed for radium removal-removal efficiencies and NORM formation. JOURNAL OF RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION 2017; 38:1-24. [PMID: 29211691 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6498/aa97f2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
A drinking water treatment plant in Viimsi, Estonia, was monitored over three years for iron, manganese, radium-226, radium-228, as well as their daughter nuclides, in order to determine the efficiency of the treatment process, gain an insight into the removal mechanisms and interactions between radium, iron, and manganese, and assess the overall longevity and performance of the technology along with the possible build-up of NORM in the treatment process. During the study, samples were collected from raw water, first and second stage filtrate, consumer water, backwash water and filter materials. The results show consistent removal efficiency for iron and manganese, as well as an average of over 85% removal for radium with a slight decline over time. The backwash process has been optimised for maximum radium removal from the filters, while keeping concentrations in the backwash water below exemption levels. However, the accumulation of radium and thorium occurs in the filter material, exceeding exemption levels in the top layer of the filter columns in less than a year. By the end of the observation period, activity concentrations in the top layer of the columns were above 30 000 Bq kg-1 for Ra-226 and Ra-228, and around 15 000 Bq kg-1 for Th-228. Radionuclides are not homogenously distributed in the filter columns. In order to estimate the average activity concentrations in the filter media, the height distribution of radionuclides has to be accounted for. Two years and two months after commissioning the treatment plant, the average activity concentrations of Ra isotopes in the filter columns were in the range 10 000 Bq kg-1, while Th-228 activity concentration was roughly 3500 Bq kg-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liie Hill
- Viimsi Vesi Ltd, Nelgi Str. 1, Viimsi parish, 74001 Harju County, Estonia
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Suursoo S, Hill L, Raidla V, Kiisk M, Jantsikene A, Nilb N, Czuppon G, Putk K, Munter R, Koch R, Isakar K. Temporal changes in radiological and chemical composition of Cambrian-Vendian groundwater in conditions of intensive water consumption. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2017; 601-602:679-690. [PMID: 28577403 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.05.136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Revised: 05/15/2017] [Accepted: 05/15/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Intensive groundwater uptake is a process at the intersection of the anthroposphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere. In this study, groundwater uptake on a peninsula where only one aquifer system - the Cambrian-Vendian (CmV) - is available for drinking water uptake is observed for a period of four years for relevant radionuclides and chemical parameters (Cl, Mn, Fe, δ18O). Intensive groundwater uptake from the CmV aquifer system may lead to water inflow either from the sea, through ancient buried valleys or from the under-laying crystalline basement rock which is rich in natural radionuclides. Changes in the geochemical conditions in the aquifer may in turn bring about desorption of Ra from sediment surface. Knowing the hydrogeological background of the wells helps to predict possible changes in water quality which in turn are important for sustainable groundwater management and optimization of water treatment processes. Changes in Cl and Ra concentrations are critical parameters to monitor for sustainable management of the CmV groundwater. Radionuclide activity concentrations in groundwater are often considered rather stable, minimum monitoring frequency of the total indicative dose from drinking water is set at once every ten years. The present study demonstrates that this is not sufficient for ensuring stable drinking water quality in case of aquifer systems as sensitive as the CmV aquifer system. Changes in Cl concentrations can be used as a tool to predict Ra activity concentrations and distribute the production between different wells opening to the same aquifer system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siiri Suursoo
- University of Tartu, Institute of Physics, W. Ostwaldi Str. 1, 50411 Tartu, Estonia.
| | - Liie Hill
- Tallinn University of Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering, Ehitajate tee 5, 19086 Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Valle Raidla
- Tallinn University of Technology, Institute of Geology, Ehitajate tee 5, 19086 Tallinn, Estonia; University of Heidelberg, Institute of Environmental Physics, Neuenheimer Feld 229, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Madis Kiisk
- University of Tartu, Institute of Physics, W. Ostwaldi Str. 1, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Alar Jantsikene
- University of Tartu, Institute of Physics, W. Ostwaldi Str. 1, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Nele Nilb
- Viimsi Vesi Ltd., Nelgi Str. 1, Viimsi parish, 74001 Harju County, Estonia
| | - György Czuppon
- Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Institute for Geological and Geochemical Research, Budaörsi út 45., H-1112 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Kaisa Putk
- University of Tartu, Institute of Physics, W. Ostwaldi Str. 1, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Rein Munter
- Tallinn University of Technology, Department of Chemical Engineering, Ehitajate tee 5, 19086 Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Rein Koch
- University of Tartu, Institute of Physics, W. Ostwaldi Str. 1, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Kadri Isakar
- University of Tartu, Institute of Physics, W. Ostwaldi Str. 1, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
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Forte M, Abbate G, Badalamenti P, Costantino S, Lunesu D, Rusconi R. Validation of a method for measuring (226)Ra in drinking waters by LSC. Appl Radiat Isot 2015; 103:143-50. [PMID: 26093366 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2015.05.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2014] [Revised: 04/27/2015] [Accepted: 05/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
A simple method for measuring (226)Ra in drinking waters has been validated and validation parameters are provided. It is based on the measurement by LSC of (222)Rn, at equilibrium with (226)Ra, which is absorbed into a water immiscible scintillation cocktail (Ultima Gold F) inside the counting vial. The validated application field ranges between the detection limit (2·10(-3) Bq/kg) to 150 Bq/kg. The method has proven to be reliable, effective and suitable for wide-range measuring campaigns. A summary of results obtained in recent years is also given.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Forte
- ARPA Lombardia, via Juvara 22, 20129 Milano, Italy.
| | - G Abbate
- ARPA Lombardia, via Juvara 22, 20129 Milano, Italy
| | | | - S Costantino
- ARPA Lombardia, via Juvara 22, 20129 Milano, Italy
| | - D Lunesu
- ARPA Lombardia, via Juvara 22, 20129 Milano, Italy
| | - R Rusconi
- ARPA Lombardia, via Juvara 22, 20129 Milano, Italy
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(226)Ra measurement by LSC as a tool to assess the efficiency of a water treatment technology for removing radionuclides from groundwater. Appl Radiat Isot 2014; 93:57-63. [PMID: 24593925 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2014.01.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2013] [Revised: 11/01/2013] [Accepted: 01/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
A simple (226)Ra analysis procedure by LSC with an extractive scintillator was tested for evaluating the long-term radionuclides removal efficiency of a water treatment facility at Viimsi, Estonia. During the 14 months of operation, total radium removal efficiency of the treatment process has stayed over 90%, but the removal efficiencies of the different purification steps have varied notably. This demonstrates the need for routine monitoring of radium content in the water treatment plant.
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