Determination of 210Po and 210Pb concentrations in atmospheric deposition in İzmir (Aegean sea-Turkey)

The natural radionuclide 210Pb was analysed in rainwater samples in İzmir by radiometric methods. The samples were collected continuously from January 2000 through December 2003 depending on the frequency of rain. The levels of 210Pb in the samples were found to vary between 9 ± 1 and 198 ± 6 mBq l−1 with an average value of 51 ± 0.5 mBq l−1. 210Po activity concentration in total (wet and dry) deposition has also been investigated in the study from November 2001 to April 2003 and the results were found to vary between 2 ± 0.4 and 35 ± 3 mBq l−1. The average value of 210Po activity concentration is found as 8 ± 0.5 mBq l−1. 210Po/210Pb activity ratios were derived as between 0.03 and 1.09. The annual 210Po and 210Pb fluxes were 12 and 48 Bq m−2 y−1, respectively.