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Natural radium isotopes in waters determined with gamma-ray spectrometry using a HPGe detector

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Abstract

This paper describes a methodology developed to measure the activity concentration of the four natural radium isotopes 226Ra, 228Ra, 224Ra and 223Ra in water samples, using γ-ray analysis performed with a hyperpure germanium detector (HPGe). The detector efficiency was properly determined using a set of thorium standards exhibiting concentrations between 10 and 10,000 μg/g. The developed analytical protocol was applied for evaluating the radium activity concentration in groundwater samples providing from different aquifer systems in three Brazilian states. The results were compared with the guideline reference values for 226Ra and 228Ra as proposed by the Brazilian and WHO legislations.

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Acknowledgements

MLVP thanks CAPES (Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel) in Brazil for the MS scholarship. UNESPetro (Geosciences Center Applied to Petroleum) is thanked for allowing access to the γ-ray spectrometer with HPGe detector. One anonymous reviewer is greatly thanked for helpful comments and suggestions that improved the readability of the manuscript.

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  1. Departamento de Geologia, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Câmpus de Rio Claro, Av. 24-A No.1515, C.P. 178, CEP, Rio Claro, São Paulo, 13506-900, Brazil

    Marta L. V. Patricio & Daniel M. Bonotto

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  1. Marta L. V. Patricio
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Correspondence to Daniel M. Bonotto.

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Patricio, M.L.V., Bonotto, D.M. Natural radium isotopes in waters determined with gamma-ray spectrometry using a HPGe detector. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 327, 403–416 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-020-07517-7

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