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Distribution of uranium isotopes, 210Pb and 210Po in groundwaters of Crete- Greece

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Abstract

A research on 238U, 234U, 210Pb, and 210Po of groundwaters in Crete island in southern Greece, was carried out. A wide range of activities was observed. The 234U/238U and 210Po/210Pb activity ratios demonstrated the disequilibrium between the specific radionuclides. Uranium isotopes were separated by anion exchange and electroplated on stainless steel plates. 210Po was spontaneously deposited on nickel plates. 210Pb was indirectly determined through the ingrowth of polonium after the first spontaneous deposition. The measurements were performed by alpha-particle spectrometry. The determined activities were much lower than the reference values established by the E.U. and the W.H.O. for drinking water.

Highlights

A radiological research on uranium isotopes, 210Pb and 210Po in Groundwaters in Crete, Greece was performed for the first time.

A disequilibrium in 234U/238U and 210Pb/210Po ratios was observed in the most cases.

All samples activities are below the regulations established by the E.U. and the W.H.O.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environmental Radioactivity Monitoring Department, Greek Atomic Energy Commission, 15341, Athens, Greece

    Dimitrios C. Xarchoulakos

  2. School of Mineral Resources Engineering, Geology Laboratory, Technical University of Crete, 73100, Chania, Greece

    Emmanouil Manoutsoglou

  3. School of Mineral Resources Engineering, Analytical and Environmental Chemistry Laboratory, Technical University of Crete, 73100, Chania, Greece

    Nikolaos G. Kallithrakas-Kontos

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  1. Dimitrios C. Xarchoulakos
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  2. Emmanouil Manoutsoglou
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  3. Nikolaos G. Kallithrakas-Kontos
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Correspondence to Dimitrios C. Xarchoulakos.

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Xarchoulakos, D.C., Manoutsoglou, E. & Kallithrakas-Kontos, N.G. Distribution of uranium isotopes, 210Pb and 210Po in groundwaters of Crete- Greece. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 331, 4685–4694 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-022-08578-6

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