Analysis of the Radon-222 Concentration and Physical-chemical Quality, in Drinking Water of Taxco, Guerrero

 

• A. H. Ramírez
  Postgraduate in Natural Resources and Ecology. Autonomous University of Guerrero, Mexico; Faculty of Earth Sciences. Autonomous University of Guerrero A. P. 197, Taxco Guerrero-40200, Mexico
• O. Talavera
  Postgraduate in Natural Resources and Ecology. Autonomous University of Guerrero, Mexico; Faculty of Earth Sciences. Autonomous University of Guerrero A. P. 197, Taxco Guerrero-40200, Mexico
• S. Souto
  Postgraduate in Natural Resources and Ecology. Autonomous University of Guerrero, Mexico; Faculty of Earth Sciences. Autonomous University of Guerrero A. P. 197, Taxco Guerrero-40200, Mexico
• J. I. Golzarri
  Institute of Physics National Autonomous University of Mexico. Scientific Research Circuit s/n, University City. Mexico City-04520, Mexico
• G. Espinosa
  Institute of Physics National Autonomous University of Mexico. Scientific Research Circuit s/n, University City. Mexico City-04520, Mexico

DOI: https://doi.org/10.15415/jnp.2020.72026

Keywords: Drinking water, Spring water, Radon, Chemical composition

Abstract

In this work the determination of radon gas (²²²Rn) and the characterization of chemical elements in drinking water of the city Taxco was carried out. Ingesting or inhaling a small number of radionuclides, as well as water of poor chemical quality, can become a potential public health problem. We are collecting 8 samples of water from a spring, physicochemical parameters were measured in field on different days of the dry season. Measurements of ²²²Rn were performed in the laboratory with an AlphaGUARD equipment. The chemical quality was analyzed in laboratory too by means of mayor and minor ions, by volumetry and colorimetry. The sodium was determined by Flama Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (FAAS). Trace elements were analyzed by were determined by Atomic Emission Spectroscopy with Plasma Coupled by Induction (ICP-AES). The concentrations of ²²²Rn present an average of 22.06 ± 2.52 BqL^-1. The results obtained from the main ions and field parameters show a type of diluted sodium-calcium-bicarbonate water. The trace elements present are very small and not exceed the limit of quantification. Radon gas is produced by the igneous rock that is the top of the stratigraphic column, of the hydric recharge. Rainwater when descending through the fractures is impregnated with ²²²Rn gas and accumulated in the underlying rock that has sufficient porosity to accumulate water and gas in the Chacualco´s spring.

 

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Measurement of Content of 226Ra in Drinking Water From Some States of Mexican Republic by Liquid Scintillation Method

 

• A. Ángeles
  National Institute of Nuclear Research, Mexico-Toluca Highway, La Marquesa, Ocoyoacac-52750, State of Mexico, Mexico
• E. Quintero
  National Institute of Nuclear Research, Mexico-Toluca Highway, La Marquesa, Ocoyoacac-52750, State of Mexico, Mexico
• I. Gaso
  National Institute of Nuclear Research, Mexico-Toluca Highway, La Marquesa, Ocoyoacac-52750, State of Mexico, Mexico
• C. P. Zepeda
  National Institute of Nuclear Research, Mexico-Toluca Highway, La Marquesa, Ocoyoacac-52750, State of Mexico, Mexico
• T. Palma
  National Institute of Nuclear Research, Mexico-Toluca Highway, La Marquesa, Ocoyoacac-52750, State of Mexico, Mexico
• P. V. Rojas
  National Institute of Nuclear Research, Mexico-Toluca Highway, La Marquesa, Ocoyoacac-52750, State of Mexico, Mexico

DOI: https://doi.org/10.15415/jnp.2020.72025

Keywords: NORM, Radium, Drinking water, Screening, Radiotoxicity

Abstract

To assess the quality of drinking water in respect to the content of radioactivity, usually is carried out an screening program in the locations of interest, that program consist in pick representative samples of drinking water from the wells in that locations, water samples are analyzed to measuring the gross alpha/beta radioactivity by a low background proportional counter or a liquid scintillation system. When some sample exceeds the normative limit then it must be known which radionuclides are in that sample. Expected radionuclides in water are the NORM (normal occurring radioactive material) from the natural radioactive chains. ²²⁶Ra is frequently present in drinking water and is one of most important radionuclide because its “radiotoxicity”, the WHO [World Health Organization, Guidelines for drinking-water Quality, (2016)] recommends a reference level for ²²⁶Ra of 1 Bq/L (the dose coefficient for ²²⁶Ra is 2.8 x 10^-7 Sv/Bq). From a national program of drinking water screening in the Mexican Republic, the samples that exceeded the national normative limits were picked again in the same well and analyzed by LS (liquid Scintillation), using the method of two phases with a not water miscible scintillator cocktail. Results of concentrations of 226Ra from drinking water are presented. In general the content of ²²⁶Ra in drinking water samples was lower that the guide values recommended for the WHO.

 

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Issue

Vol 7 No 2 (2020): Special Issue

 

How to Cite

A. Ángeles; E. Quintero; I. Gaso; C. P. Zepeda; T. Palma; P. V. Rojas. Measurement of Content of 226Ra in Drinking Water From Some States of Mexican Republic by Liquid Scintillation Method. J. Nucl. Phy. Mat. Sci. Rad. A. 2020, 7, 195-201.