Measurement of low levels of dissolved radon and radium in water
- Rad Elec Inc., Frederick, MD (United States)
- Florida State Univ., Tallhassee, FL (United States)
Standard method of measuring dissolved radon in water consists of sealing a known volume of water sample in a jar, measuring airborne radon concentration using an E-PERM radon monitor, and calculating the radon concentration in water. The method is also usable for measuring dissolved radium in water. A new method described in this paper improves the sensitivity by two orders of magnitude. This method consists of immersing an E-PERM radon monitor encased in a water barrier (thin plastic or tyvek) which permits exchange of radon between water and the detector air volume, and measuring radon gas concentration over the desired time interval. Radon in water is then calculated using appropriate partition constants and other parameters. Results of such measurements agreed well with other standard methods. The method is usable for measuring extremely low levels such as 0.25 to 1.0 PCi/L of dissolved radon. For measuring radium in water, water is filled in a 4 liter glass jar and sparged to remove any radon already present in water. An E-PERM radon monitor encased in a suitable water barrier is immersed in water and the jar sealed. Using appropriate theoretical equation relating the average radon concentration as measured by E-PERM radon monitor and the exposure time, the radium concentration in water can be calculated. Levels as low as 1 to 5 pCi/L is measurable by this method in about 10 days. Ability to measure such low level extends this method to several basic research areas in oceangraphy and geophysical research.
- OSTI ID:
- 269808
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-950999--
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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