Analysis of sup 228 Ra and sup 226 Ra in public water supplies by a gamma-ray spectrometer
- Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta (USA)
Methods for measuring {sup 228}Ra were reviewed to select a brief and simple screening procedure under NIPDW Regulations for public water supplies. A two-step method was considered to concentrate Ra by evaporation or co-precipitation and to count it with a gas ionization detector, a liquid-scintillation detector, or a Ge detector with multichannel analyzer. Gross beta particle counting appears to be feasible for screening to meet the 0.04 Bq L-1 detection limit. One can utilize the same sample volume as currently collected and measure radiation with commonly available equipment in reasonable time. The required sample volumes were estimated on the basis of known counting efficiencies and background count rates. Gamma-ray spectral analysis is the recommended option, however, because {sup 226}Ra and {sup 228}Ra can be determined directly and simultaneously. Several aspects of the method were examined to assure that the concentration procedure is nearly quantitative and that the detection limit can be reached with a 3.8-L sample in a 6000-s counting period. The method was tested with Ra tracer solutions and EPA intercomparison samples over the range of 0.04 to 1 Bq L-1. It was found appropriate for {sup 228}Ra and {sup 226}Ra analyses.
- OSTI ID:
- 6644539
- Journal Information:
- Health Physics; (USA), Journal Name: Health Physics; (USA) Vol. 59:1; ISSN 0017-9078; ISSN HLTPA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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540330* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
ALKALINE EARTH ISOTOPES
ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
CARBON 14 DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
CONTAMINATION
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
GAMMA SPECTROSCOPY
HEAVY ION DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
HEAVY NUCLEI
ISOTOPES
MASS TRANSFER
MONITORING
NUCLEI
POLLUTION
RADIATION MONITORING
RADIOECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
RADIOISOTOPES
RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION
RADIUM 226
RADIUM 228
RADIUM ISOTOPES
SPECTROSCOPY
WATER POLLUTION
WATER SUPPLY
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES