Dergiler / Turkish Journal of Engineering and Environmental Sciences / 2004 / Cilt: 28 - Sayı: 6

Natural Radioactivity of Ground and Drinking Water in Some Areas of Upper Egypt

Sayfa
345–354
DOI
—

Özet

Concentrations of natural radionuclides (226Ra and 232Th) in ground and drinking waters of some areas in Upper Egypt were determined by gamma ray spectrometry with a HPGe detector setup, coaxial type and 8192 channels MCA. The investigated waters differed in radioactivity content depending on their origin and place. In drinking water in Qena, Upper Egypt, the mean 226Ra concentration was 1.32 \pm 0.7 pCi/l. In ground water in Safaga and Quseir, the Red Sea region, where there are phosphate mines, 226Ra and 232Th mean values were 3.05 \pm 0.9 and 1.39 \pm 0.6 pCi/l. A mean annual effective dose taken into the body by the population drinking this tap water may account for 0.008 mSv, which is lower than the limit recommended by the WHO.

Abstract

Concentrations of natural radionuclides (226Ra and 232Th) in ground and drinking waters of some areas in Upper Egypt were determined by gamma ray spectrometry with a HPGe detector setup, coaxial type and 8192 channels MCA. The investigated waters differed in radioactivity content depending on their origin and place. In drinking water in Qena, Upper Egypt, the mean 226Ra concentration was 1.32 \pm 0.7 pCi/l. In ground water in Safaga and Quseir, the Red Sea region, where there are phosphate mines, 226Ra and 232Th mean values were 3.05 \pm 0.9 and 1.39 \pm 0.6 pCi/l. A mean annual effective dose taken into the body by the population drinking this tap water may account for 0.008 mSv, which is lower than the limit recommended by the WHO.

Anahtar kelimeler: Natural radioactivity, Upper Egypt, Ground water, Drinking water