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Determination and differentiation of 226Ra and 222Rn by gamma-ray spectrometry in drinking water

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Abstract

The analysis of 226Ra in natural waters can be tedious and time-consuming. For the determination and differentiation of activities of 226Ra and 222Rn in drinking water by γ-ray spectrometry a simple and fast method is presented. Activities of 226Ra > 0.5 Bq L−1 can be determined according to stabilization of the sample without further procedures. For a more sensitive detection sample volumes of up to 5 litres are applicable by a rapid precipitation procedure without large expenditure. Further laborious enrichment methods are not necessary. Thus, detection limits of 0.1 Bq L−1 can be obtained when using sample volumes of 5 litres. Therefore the method is suitable for the monitoring of radioactivity in drinking water samples in accordance with the legal guidance of the European Union.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Food and Environmental Chemistry, Central Institute of Medical Service of the German Federal Armed Forces Laboratory, 56070, Koblenz, Germany

    M. Küsters & W. Schraven

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  1. M. Küsters
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  2. W. Schraven
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Correspondence to M. Küsters.

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Küsters, M., Schraven, W. Determination and differentiation of 226Ra and 222Rn by gamma-ray spectrometry in drinking water. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 280, 475–480 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-009-7460-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-009-7460-3

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