Title of article :
Measurement of naturally occurring radioactive materials concentration in Tehran’s water using Gamma spectrometry
Author/Authors :
Zehtabvar, Mehrnaz Department of Nuclear Engineering - Faculty of Engineering - Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch Tehran, Iran , Sardari, Dariush Department of Medical Radiation Engineering - Faculty of Engineering - Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch Tehran, Iran , Jahanfarnia, Gholamreza Department of Nuclear Engineering - Faculty of Engineering - Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch Tehran, Iran
Abstract :
The concentration of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) in surface water and irrigation wells is measured using gamma ray spectrometry by HPGe detector. Measurement was carried out for samples that were collected over seventeen points in Tehran city and its suburbs. The samples were prepared in compliance with the principles from irrigation wells of city. The specific radioactivity of Ra-226, Th-232 and K-40 were measured and the results from different locations covered a range with the minimum being below "minimum detectable activity" up to maximum of 4.04, and 6.85 and 4.7 Bq per liter of water, respectively. The accumulation of radioactive materials in the samples from southern areas of Tehran was more than that of central areas. Also, concentration of Ra-226 in all the samples was less than the Derived Release Limit of Canada and Environmental Protection Agency standard threshold.
Keywords :
Naturally radioactive materials , Gamma ray spectrometry , HPGe detector , Tehran's water
Journal title :
Radiation Physics and Engineering
