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Touranlou FA, Moghimani M, Marhamati M, Rezaie M. Detection and measurement of radioactive substances in water and food: a narrative review. Ital J Food Saf 2024; 13:11651. [PMID: 38623281 PMCID: PMC11017961 DOI: 10.4081/ijfs.2024.11651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Contamination of food and water with radioactive substances is a serious health problem. There are several methods to detect and measure radioactive materials, some of which have been developed in recent years. This paper aims to discuss the methods of detecting and measuring radioactive substances in food and water. The principles and the advantages and disadvantages of each method have been discussed. The results showed that some of these methods, such as spectrometry γ-ray high-purity germanium, portable radon gas surveyor SILENA, RAD7, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, have a higher sensitivity for detection and measurement. The spectrometry γ-ray high-purity germanium method has attracted more attention than other methods because it can measure a wide range of radionuclides with high resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Mitra Rezaie
- Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Iran
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2
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Mitra S, Naskar N, Mukherjee J, Sutradhar S, Lahiri S, Mondal S, Barman C. Estimation of gross α-β and tritium activities in groundwater samples using LSC-TDCR technique in and around the geothermal region of Eastern India. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:124053-124066. [PMID: 37996576 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-31046-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
The present study is an attempt to assess the radiogenic quality of groundwater on the basis of gross α, gross β and tritium (3H or H-3) activities in the Bakreswar-Tantloi geothermal region of Chotanagpur Plateau, West Bengal and Jharkhand, India. The aforesaid parameters in groundwater samples were measured using liquid scintillation counting triple to double coincidence ratio (LSC-TDCR) technique. Groundwater samples collected from Bakreswar-Tantloi geothermal region show gross α activities from below the minimum detectable activity (BMDA) to 0.5 ± 0.05 Bq/L, gross β activities from BMDA to 0.2 ± 0.01 Bq/L and H-3 activities from BMDA to 63.42 Bq/L. The average gross α, gross β and H-3 activities are also within the permissible limits prescribed by the World Health Organization (WHO). Though the annual effective doses in some samples were higher than the reference dose level of 0.1 mSv, the overall result suggests that the groundwater in the Bakreswar-Tantloi geothermal region is radiologically safe considering the radionuclides covered in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayantan Mitra
- Department of Physics, Sidho-Kanho-Birsha University, Purulia, 723104, India
| | - Nabanita Naskar
- Diamond Harbour Women's University, South 24 Parganas, Sarisha, 743368, India
| | - Joydeep Mukherjee
- Department of Physics, Sidho-Kanho-Birsha University, Purulia, 723104, India
| | - Sushanta Sutradhar
- Department of Physics, Sidho-Kanho-Birsha University, Purulia, 723104, India
| | - Susanta Lahiri
- Department of Physics, Sidho-Kanho-Birsha University, Purulia, 723104, India
- Diamond Harbour Women's University, South 24 Parganas, Sarisha, 743368, India
| | - Sonjoy Mondal
- Department of Physics, Sidho-Kanho-Birsha University, Purulia, 723104, India
| | - Chiranjib Barman
- Department of Physics, Sidho-Kanho-Birsha University, Purulia, 723104, India.
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3
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Giménez I, Bagán H, Tarancón A. Fast analysis of gross alpha with a new plastic scintillation resin. Anal Chim Acta 2023; 1248:340905. [PMID: 36813463 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2023.340905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Radionuclides analysis is a complex task, with high time and economic costs. In decommissioning activities and environmental monitoring, it is very evident, in which, to obtain an appropriate information, it is necessary to perform as many analyses as possible. The number of these analyses can be reduced using screening gross alpha or gross beta parameters. However, the currently used methods cannot give an answer as fast as it would be desired and, moreover, more than 50% of the results reported in the interlaboratory exercises fall outside the acceptance range. This work presents the development of a new material and method to gross alpha activity determination using a plastic scintillation resin (PSresin) in drinking and river water samples. A specific procedure was developed involving a new PSresin (using bis-(3-trimethylsilyl-1-propyl)-methanediphosphonic acid as an extractant) that is selective for all actinides, radium and polonium. Quantitative retention and 100% detection efficiencies were obtained at pH 2 with nitric acid. PSA value of 135 was used for α/β discrimination. Eu was used to determine or estimate retention in sample analyses. The method developed can measure, in less than 5 h from the reception of the sample, the gross alpha parameter with quantification errors comparable or even lower to those obtained with conventional methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Giménez
- Department d'Enginyeria Química i Química Analíitca, Universitat de Barcelona, Marti i Franqués, 1-11, ES-08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - H Bagán
- Department d'Enginyeria Química i Química Analíitca, Universitat de Barcelona, Marti i Franqués, 1-11, ES-08028, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - A Tarancón
- Department d'Enginyeria Química i Química Analíitca, Universitat de Barcelona, Marti i Franqués, 1-11, ES-08028, Barcelona, Spain; Serra-Húnter Programme, Generalitat de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain; Institut de Recerca de l'Aigua, Universitat de Barcelona, Montalegre, 6, ES-08001, Barcelona, Spain
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4
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Tarancón A, Novella O, Pujadas M, Batlle M, Cros J, García J. Development of an equipment for real-time continuous monitoring of alpha and beta radioactivity in river water. Appl Radiat Isot 2022; 187:110322. [DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2022.110322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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5
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Jobbágy V. Rapid radionuclide specific screening procedures in drinking water: alternative options to replace inaccurate gross activity measurements. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-022-08409-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
AbstractIt was concluded from two European wide proficiency tests that the gross alpha/beta methods used for drinking water analysis have fundamental pitfalls regardless of the specific gross-counting methods. The majority of gross-counting methods suffer from serious trueness and repeatability issues. To replace inaccurate gross activity measurements an alternative rapid radionuclide specific screening procedure for water analysis is proposed. This procedure considers liquid scintillation counting, alpha-particle- and gamma-ray spectrometry. The proposed procedure is more robust and can achieve lower uncertainties than gross-counting methods. Furthermore, qualitative and quantitative analytical data can be obtained with turnaround times comparable to the gross-counting methods.
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Jobbágy V, Dupuis E, Emteborg H, Hult M. Performance evaluation of a European wide proficiency test on gross alpha/beta activity determination in drinking water. Appl Radiat Isot 2022; 186:110304. [DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2022.110304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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7
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Hu S, Lin X, Yang Q, Du H, Zhao X, Chen R, Li G. Application of grading evaluation method of water radioactivity level in Chongqing section of Yangtze River. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2022; 246:106843. [PMID: 35182960 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2022.106843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The major rivers in a region are usually vital sources of drinking water for local populations, and the concentration of radionuclides in the water is intimately tied to people's health. The varying concentration limits set by the World Health Organization are appropriate as screening values for determining the pollution of water sources, but their capacities as regulatory or early warning limits are restricted. In daily management, the regulatory authority needs to manage water bodies by level based on the concentration of radionuclide to indicate the potential pollution risks. From 2017 to 2019, a statistical analysis and dosage evaluation were conducted on the water radioactivity level in the Chongqing section of the Yangtze River in this study. The Modified Nemerow Index method based on the dose conversion coefficients was applied for the grading evaluation of the water radioactivity level, allowing the grading effect discussed. The results showed that the concentration of radionuclides in the Chongqing section of the Yangtze River and its contribution to the annual effective dose of the human body were lower than the limits stated in the Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality (Fourth Edition). And the samples in the section were 52.94% in Grade Ⅰand 47.06% in Grade Ⅱ, meaning few potential radioactive pollution risks exist there. Compared with other methods. The Modified Nemerow Index method combines the Traditional Nemerow Index method with the dose conversion coefficient of nuclides making it more realistic for the early warning and control of radioactive pollution in water bodies, which is worth popularizing and implementing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shijie Hu
- Applied Nuclear Technology in Geosciences Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, 610059, China
| | - Xuefeng Lin
- Chongqing Radiation Environment Supervision and Management Station, Chongqing, 400015, China
| | - Qiang Yang
- Applied Nuclear Technology in Geosciences Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, 610059, China; Affiliated Cancer Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 611731, China.
| | - Hengyan Du
- Chongqing Radiation Environment Supervision and Management Station, Chongqing, 400015, China
| | - Xue Zhao
- Chongqing Radiation Environment Supervision and Management Station, Chongqing, 400015, China
| | - Rui Chen
- Applied Nuclear Technology in Geosciences Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, 610059, China
| | - Guang Li
- Chongqing Radiation Environment Supervision and Management Station, Chongqing, 400015, China
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Radulescu I, Calin MR, Stochioiu A. Proficiency Testing on Gross Alpha/Beta Measurements in Drinking Water: Lessons Learnt. FOOD ANAL METHOD 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s12161-021-02007-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Abstract
AbstractThere is little available information on the radioactivity concentrations in the thermal and drinking water sources in North Vietnam. In the current study, the gross alpha and gross beta activity concentrations were determined in 8 water sources in the area. The average activities of gross alpha and beta in the 8 sources are 38.7 mBq L− 1 and 88.0 mBq L− 1. These activity concentrations are lower than WHO recommendations for drinking water. In this study, the gross alpha and gross beta show a weak correlation.
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10
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Naskar N, Lahiri S, Mitra S, Chaudhuri P. Radiogenic quality assessment of ground and riverine water samples collected from Indian Sundarbans. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 185:109407. [PMID: 32208205 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2019] [Revised: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The present study attempts to generate the first baseline data on gross α and β activities in groundwater and riverine water samples collected from different regions of Indian Sundarbans, a part of the world's largest mangrove ecosystem. Until the present, no information is available related to radioactivity measurement in water samples from this vast area. Gross alpha-beta activities were measured by liquid scintillation counting-triple to double coincidence ratio (LSC-TDCR) technique. The minimum detectable activities in present experimental condition were found to be 21 mBq L-1 and 55 mBq L-1 for gross α and β respectively. Gross alpha activities in all groundwater and riverine samples were found to be below the detection limit (BDL), whereas gross beta activities in groundwater and riverine samples varied from BDL to 0.46 ± 0.24 Bq L-1 and BDL to 0.90 ± 0.26 Bq L-1 respectively, which are below WHO recommended value 1 Bq L-1. Annual effective doses were below 0.1 mSv. U and Th concentrations in the water samples were determined by ultrasonic-nebulizer assisted Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and found to be BDL. For assessing 3H activity, double-distilled water samples were measured by LSC-TDCR technique, which provided BDL result.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nabanita Naskar
- Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, 1/AF, Bidhannagar, Kolkata, 700064, India; Department of Environmental Science, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, 700019, India
| | - Susanta Lahiri
- Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, 1/AF, Bidhannagar, Kolkata, 700064, India; Homi Bhabha National Institute, India.
| | - Sayantani Mitra
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, 700019, India
| | - Punarbasu Chaudhuri
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, 700019, India
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11
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Annual effective dose associated with radon, gross alpha and gross beta radioactivity in drinking water from gold mining areas of Shanono and Bagwai, Kano state, Nigeria. Microchem J 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2019.104551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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12
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Screening Level of Gross Alpha and Beta Activities in Building Materials. J CHEM-NY 2020. [DOI: 10.1155/2020/1741430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of the present study is the screening of the gross alpha and gross beta activity of some building materials commercialized in Saudi Arabia. The measurements were carried out using a gas flow proportional counter. The study has shown that the gross alpha activity ranged between 0.21 and 8.27 Bq/kg with an average activity of about 1.96 Bq/kg, whereas the gross beta activity ranged between 6.47 and 276.47 Bq/kg with an average activity of about 65.27 Bq/kg. The obtained values of gross alpha and beta activities are in the worldwide range and no significant activity was observed that accentuate the attention, which show that no radiation risks come from these building materials and, therefore, from their origin areas.
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13
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Fan F, Liu H, Liang J, Sun H, Zhang J, Pan D, Zou Y. Rapid separation of Po-210 from Pb-210 based on the usage of a commercial Sr-Specific chromatographic resin. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2020; 211:106083. [PMID: 31707256 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2019.106083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Revised: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 10/27/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The efficient extraction of small quantities of 210Po is necessary for preparing 210Po standard reference materials. Herein, a commercially available strontrium-specific chromatographic resin (Sr spec resin) was used to rapidly and selectively extract 210Po from a 210Pb-210Bi-210Po mixture, and the distribution ratios of Pb, Bi, and 210Po on Sr spec resin were probed using batch experiments. In contrast to 210Pb and 210Bi, 210Po was retained on the Sr spec cartridge in 8 M HCl and was then effectively eluted by 0.1 M HNO3. The contents of 210Pb and 210Bi in the thus obtained 210Po solution were checked using a high purity germanium gamma-ray detector and the corresponding decay curve, respectively, and were found not to exceed 2%. Moreover, the 210Pb and 210Bi eluates could be used to regenerate 210Po by the same method after a certain time period. Therefore, the extracted 210Po solution was suitable for the preparation of the 210Po standard area source and 210Po standard reference materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuyou Fan
- Division of Ionizing Radiation, National Institute of Metrology, Beijing, 100029, China.
| | - Haoran Liu
- Division of Ionizing Radiation, National Institute of Metrology, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Juncheng Liang
- Division of Ionizing Radiation, National Institute of Metrology, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Haowen Sun
- Radiochemistry Laboratory, School of Nuclear Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Division of Ionizing Radiation, National Institute of Metrology, Beijing, 100029, China.
| | - Duoqiang Pan
- Radiochemistry Laboratory, School of Nuclear Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, China.
| | - Yu Zou
- Division of Ionizing Radiation, National Institute of Metrology, Beijing, 100029, China
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Lee U, Lee C, Kim M, Kim HR. Analysis of the influence of nuclear facilities on environmental radiation by monitoring the highest nuclear power plant density region. NUCLEAR ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.net.2019.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Alharbi T, Adel A, Baloch MA, Alsagabi SF, Alssalim YA, Alslamah AS, Alkhomashi N. Natural radioactivity measurements and age-dependent dose assessment in groundwater from Al-Zulfi, Al-Qassim and Al-Majmaah regions, Saudi Arabia. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-018-6053-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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16
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Hou X. Liquid scintillation counting for determination of radionuclides in environmental and nuclear application. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-018-6258-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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17
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Fast screening of operational aqueous samples by gross alpha and beta counting with LSC systems. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-018-6007-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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18
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Casagrande M, Bonotto D. The use of γ-rays analysis by HPGe detector to assess the gross alpha and beta activities in waters. Appl Radiat Isot 2018; 137:1-11. [DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2018.02.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2017] [Revised: 01/08/2018] [Accepted: 02/22/2018] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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19
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Alharbi T. Simulation of α and β gross activity measurement of soil samples with proportional counters. Appl Radiat Isot 2018; 136:65-67. [DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2018.02.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2017] [Revised: 01/24/2018] [Accepted: 02/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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20
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Tarancón A, Bagán H, García JF. Plastic scintillators and related analytical procedures for radionuclide analysis. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-017-5494-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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21
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Radioactivity monitoring in foodstuff and drinking water - An overview of performance of EU laboratories based on interlaboratory comparisons. Food Control 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2016.04.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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22
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El-Naser HK, Smith B, Kilani S, Abdeldin I, Howarth B, Saleh B. Blending as the best compliance option for the management of radioactivity in drinking water supplied from the deep sandstone aquifer in Southern Jordan. JOURNAL OF WATER AND HEALTH 2016; 14:528-548. [PMID: 27280616 DOI: 10.2166/wh.2016.265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
This paper describes management options and interventions taken by the Government of Jordan to ensure that the quality of drinking water supplied to consumers via the Disi Water Conveyance Project (DWCP) meets Jordanian drinking water standards and WHO guidelines for drinking water quality in respect of their radiological composition. Results from an initial survey of radioactivity present in water abstracted from each of the 55 wells (which comprise the operational well field) indicated an average radiological dose of 0.8 milliSieverts per year (mSv/y) would be accrued by members of the population if consuming water directly from the well head. During full scale operation, the estimated accrued dose from the well field as a whole decreased to an average of 0.7 mSv/y which was still approximately 1.4 times the Jordanian reference radiological limit for drinking water (0.5 mSv/y). Following assessment of treatment options by relevant health and water authorities, blending prior to distribution into the consumer network was identified as the most practicable remedial option. Results from monthly sampling undertaken after inline blending support the adoption of this approach, and indicate a reduction in the committed effective dose to 0.4 mSv/y, which is compliant with Jordanian standards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hazim K El-Naser
- Ministry of Water and Irrigation, Shmisani, Jaber Bin Hayan Str, PO Box 2412 Amman, 11183 Jordan
| | - Barry Smith
- Intelliscience Ltd, 38A Station Rd, Carlton, Nottingham NG4 3DB, UK E-mail:
| | - Susan Kilani
- Ministry of Water and Irrigation, Shmisani, Jaber Bin Hayan Str, PO Box 2412 Amman, 11183 Jordan
| | - Ismail Abdeldin
- Ministry of Water and Irrigation, Shmisani, Jaber Bin Hayan Str, PO Box 2412 Amman, 11183 Jordan
| | - Barry Howarth
- SWECO, Gjörwellsgatan 22, PO Box 34044, Stockholm SE-100 26, Sweden
| | - Bassam Saleh
- Ministry of Water and Irrigation, Shmisani, Jaber Bin Hayan Str, PO Box 2412 Amman, 11183 Jordan
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Jobbágy V, Merešová J, Dupuis E, Kwakman P, Altzitzoglou T, Rožkov A, Hult M, Emteborg H, Wätjen U. Results of a European interlaboratory comparison on gross alpha/beta activity determination in drinking water. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2015; 306:325-331. [PMID: 26366031 PMCID: PMC4561063 DOI: 10.1007/s10967-015-3955-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2014] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
An interlaboratory comparison was organised by JRC-IRMM among environmental radioactivity monitoring laboratories for the determination of gross alpha/beta activity concentration in drinking water. Independent standard methods were used for the reference value determination. The performance of participating laboratories was evaluated with respect to the reference values using relative deviations. Sample preparation and measurement methods used by the participating laboratories are detailed, in particular in the view of method-dependency of the results. Many of the participants’ results deviate by more than two orders of magnitude from the reference values regardless of the techniques used. This suggests that gross methods need revision.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktor Jobbágy
- Joint Research Centre, Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (JRC-IRMM), European Commission, Retieseweg 111, 2440 Geel, Belgium ; Waste and Disposal Expert Group, Institute for Environment, Health and Safety, SCK•CEN, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - Jana Merešová
- Joint Research Centre, Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (JRC-IRMM), European Commission, Retieseweg 111, 2440 Geel, Belgium
| | - Edmond Dupuis
- Low Level Radioactivity Measurements Expert Group, Institute for Environment, Health and Safety, SCK•CEN, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - Pieter Kwakman
- Laboratory for Radiation Research, RIVM, PO Box 1, 3720 BA Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Timotheos Altzitzoglou
- Joint Research Centre, Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (JRC-IRMM), European Commission, Retieseweg 111, 2440 Geel, Belgium
| | - Andrej Rožkov
- Joint Research Centre, Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (JRC-IRMM), European Commission, Retieseweg 111, 2440 Geel, Belgium
| | - Mikael Hult
- Joint Research Centre, Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (JRC-IRMM), European Commission, Retieseweg 111, 2440 Geel, Belgium
| | - Håkan Emteborg
- Joint Research Centre, Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (JRC-IRMM), European Commission, Retieseweg 111, 2440 Geel, Belgium
| | - Uwe Wätjen
- Joint Research Centre, Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (JRC-IRMM), European Commission, Retieseweg 111, 2440 Geel, Belgium ; Kievermondeveld 74, 2440 Geel, Belgium
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Suarez-Navarro J, Pujol L, Suarez-Navarro M. Sample pretreatment in the determination of specific alpha emitters in drinking water using [Ba+Fe]-coprecipitation method. Appl Radiat Isot 2015; 96:36-44. [DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2014.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2014] [Revised: 10/02/2014] [Accepted: 11/05/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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26
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A comparative study for the determination of uranium and uranium isotopes in granitic groundwater. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-014-3699-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Fernández Timón A, Jurado Vargas M, Ziegler JF. Application of alpha particle transport to the modelization of efficiency curves in proportional counters. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-014-3205-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Cfarku F, Xhixha G, Bylyku E, Zdruli P, Mantovani F, Përpunja F, Callegari I, Guastaldi E, Xhixha Kaçeli M, Thoma H. A preliminary study of gross alpha/beta activity concentrations in drinking waters from Albania. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-014-3142-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Alpha/beta indices determination in drinking water using plastic scintillation and evaporation to dryness. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-013-2806-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Jobbágy V, Merešová J, Wätjen U. Critical remarks on gross alpha/beta activity analysis in drinking waters: conclusions from a European interlaboratory comparison. Appl Radiat Isot 2013; 87:429-34. [PMID: 24355306 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2013.11.073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2013] [Accepted: 11/17/2013] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The most common gross alpha/beta standard methods used for drinking water analysis are discussed, and sources of interferences are reviewed from a metrological point of view. Our study reveals serious drawbacks of gross methods on the basis of an interlaboratory comparison analyzing commercial mineral water samples with the participation of 71 laboratories. A proposal is made to obtain comparable measurement results using true standardized methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Jobbágy
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements, Retieseweg 111, B-2440 Geel, Belgium.
| | - J Merešová
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements, Retieseweg 111, B-2440 Geel, Belgium
| | - U Wätjen
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements, Retieseweg 111, B-2440 Geel, Belgium
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Ruano Sánchez A, Martín Sánchez A, de la Torre Pérez J. Gross alpha and beta indices in water samples revisited. Appl Radiat Isot 2013; 81:136-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2013.03.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2012] [Accepted: 03/08/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Warwick PE, Croudace IW. Identification and Quantification of Radionuclides in Contaminated Drinking Waters and Pipeline Deposits. Anal Chem 2013; 85:8166-72. [DOI: 10.1021/ac401131t] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Phil E. Warwick
- GAU-Radioanalytical, Ocean and Earth
Science, University of Southampton, National
Oceanography Centre,
Southampton, SO14 3ZH, United Kingdom
| | - Ian W. Croudace
- GAU-Radioanalytical, Ocean and Earth
Science, University of Southampton, National
Oceanography Centre,
Southampton, SO14 3ZH, United Kingdom
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Montaña M, Fons J, Corbacho JA, Camacho A, Zapata-García D, Guillén J, Serrano I, Tent J, Baeza A, Llauradó M, Vallés I. A comparative experimental study of gross alpha methods in natural waters. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2013; 118:1-8. [PMID: 23220539 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2012.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2012] [Revised: 10/30/2012] [Accepted: 10/31/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The aim of the present work was to compare the results obtained with gross alpha methods such as evaporation, co-precipitation and total evaporation by liquid scintillation counting and to check whether these results are representative of the real total alpha activity concentration on the sample. The study was carried out on eight natural waters with very different radioactive characteristics. For all the samples uranium ((238)U, (235)U, and (234)U), radium ((226)Ra and (224)Ra), (210)Po, and (232)Th isotopes were also assayed by using radiochemical separation and alpha spectrometry in order to determine the sum of the activities of these alpha emitters. Precision (expressed as relative standard deviation) was below 28% for evaporation and below 18% for co-precipitation. In the case of total by liquid scintillation counting it was below 10% for samples with Total Alpha activity above 0.1 Bq/L (this value is about three times the MDA). Furthermore, for most of the studied waters, the Total Alpha activity and the gross alpha activity determined by the three methods were comparable. The obtained bias by the evaporation, co-precipitation, and total evaporation by liquid scintillation counting methods was lower than 40%, 25% and 20%, respectively. The ANOVA test was applied to find out if there was significant variability among the methods. For the samples with the most common radiochemical characteristics there were no significant differences among the three studied methods. However differences were detected for samples with a high saline content or with a very low activity level.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Montaña
- Institut de Tècniques Energètiques, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain.
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Montaña M, Camacho A, Vallés I, Serrano I. Experimental analysis of the mass efficiency curve for gross alpha activity and morphological study of the residue obtained by the co-precipitation method. Appl Radiat Isot 2012; 70:1541-8. [PMID: 22732388 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2012.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2012] [Revised: 05/19/2012] [Accepted: 05/22/2012] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Gross alpha activity determination in drinking water is one of the radiological parameters that must be determined in order to decide whether further specific analyses of radionuclides in samples is required. This parameter can be determined by the co-precipitation method using a ZnS(Ag) scintillation detector or a proportional counter. The method consists of collecting all alpha emitters of interest using barium and iron as carriers as they provide more uniform and homogeneous residues than the evaporation method, especially for highly saline waters. In the course of our work, the efficiencies of the gas proportional and ZnS(Ag) detectors for alpha particle detection in water residues were studied in function of sample mass (precipitate) with residues ranging between 16.0 and 35.0mg. In addition, the structure and morphological composition of a residue collected by the co-precipitation method was studied with the aim of verifying whether the residue is a homogeneous mixture. The effect of alpha energy on the efficiency and stability of the calibration samples (mass and efficiency) was studied using (230)Th, natural uranium ((nat)U) and (241)Am radionuclides.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Montaña
- Institut de Tècniques Energètiques, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya ETSEI, Diagonal 647, 08028 Barcelona, Spain.
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Bonotto DM. Natural radionuclides in major aquifer systems of the Paraná sedimentary basin, Brazil. Appl Radiat Isot 2011; 69:1572-84. [PMID: 21684169 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2011.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2011] [Revised: 06/04/2011] [Accepted: 06/05/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
This paper describes the natural radioactivity of groundwater occurring in sedimentary (Bauru and Guarani) and fractured rock (Serra Geral) aquifer systems in the Paraná sedimentary basin, South America that is extensively used for drinking purposes, among others. The measurements of gross alpha and gross beta radioactivity as well the activity concentration of the natural dissolved radionuclides ⁴⁰K, ²³⁸U, ²³⁴U, ²²⁶Ra, ²²²Rn, ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb were held in 80 tubular wells drilled in 21 municipalities located at São Paulo State and its border with Mato Grosso do Sul State in Brazil. Most of the gross alpha radioactivity data were below 1 mBq/L, whereas values exceeding the gross beta radioactivity detection limit of 30 mBq/L were found. The radioelement solubility in the studied systems varied according to the sequence radon>radium>other radionuclides and the higher porosity of sandstones relatively to basalts and diabases could justify the enhanced presence of dissolved radon in the porous aquifer. The implications of the data obtained in terms of standards established for defining the drinking water quality have also been discussed. The population-weighted average activity concentration for these radionuclides was compared to the guideline value of 0.1 mSv/yr for the total effective dose and discussed in terms of the choice of the dose conversion factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Marcos Bonotto
- Departamento de Petrologia e Metalogenia, IGCE-Instituto de Geociências e Ciências Exatas, UNESP-Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho, CEP 13506-900-Rio Claro, SP, Brazil.
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Efstathiou M, Kiliari T, Pashalidis I. Uranium analysis in Cypriot groundwaters by total alpha-radiometry and alpha-spectroscopy. RADIAT MEAS 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.radmeas.2011.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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