Alternative methodology for characterization of gross alpha and beta radioactivity in waters

Abstract

Radionuclides generated in the stratosphere and troposphere have been used in hydrological studies, specially for dating underground water, and also contributing as a natural source of radioactivity due to those elements present on Earth since its formation, such as Uranium, Thorium, and Potassium. The growing presence of radionuclides in water sources due to technological processes (i.e.: mining activities/ radioelements-rich minerals processing/phosphate based fertilizers), nuclear tests, effluent dumping related to nuclear installations, nuclear weapons utilized in armed conflicts, or even the manipulation of manufactured radioactive sources, led the World Health Organization (WHO) to establish a wide reference list of ranges for the ingestion of radionuclides present in the drinking water. WHO has recommended initial gross alpha and beta analysis due to the time consuming, coast and peculiarities of the analytical techniques applied to the detection of specific radionuclides. If the reference range of values is exceeded, the samples must undergo specific radionuclides analysis. This project aims to upgrade the alternative methodology which has been applied to the characterization of gross alpha and beta in water systems.