Radionuclides as inorganic contaminants of the aquatic environment
Radioactive isotopes are an inherent component of the natural environment. They can occur naturally or result from human activities, including nuclear energy production and industrial processes. A significant issue in the use of groundwater for public supply is the presence of natural radioactive is...
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| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Desalination and Water Treatment |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1944398624204562 |
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| Summary: | Radioactive isotopes are an inherent component of the natural environment. They can occur naturally or result from human activities, including nuclear energy production and industrial processes. A significant issue in the use of groundwater for public supply is the presence of natural radioactive isotopes, with the highest concentrations typically found in Rn-222, Ra-226, Ra-228, U-234, and U-238. The isotope contributing the most to the dose received by the general population is Rn-222, along with its decay products (Po-218, Pb-214, Bi-214, and Pb-214). Radon-222 is produced from the decay of Ra-226 and is an alpha particle emitter. Radon generated in the ground has the ability to migrate into the upper layers of soil, the atmosphere, and natural water reservoirs. Radon is easily soluble in water and is thus absorbed by groundwater and transported with it. The presence of radon in groundwater is caused by the direct migration of Rn-222 from rocks and soil into the water and the radium content in the water. The aim of the study was to compare the concentrations of Rn-222 in tap water, well water, and thermal water, and to evaluate both the effective doses resulting from the ingestion of Rn-222 through water consumed and the committed doses for employees and guests of spas and recreational complexes. It was hypothesised that radon exhalation from water could cause elevated concentrations of this radionuclide in the air of indoor swimming pool halls, implying that employees of thermal complexes could receive an annual dose exceeding the general public limit of 1 mSv/year above background radiation. |
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| ISSN: | 1944-3986 |