A novel method for measuring radon in water is proposed. This method involves sampling radon from water into sunflower oil and subsequently measuring the radon in the oil using either Cherenkov counting or Liquid Scintillation (LS) counting. The high partition coefficient of radon between oil and water enables radon preconcentration in the oil, significantly improving the Minimum Detectable Activity Concentration (MDAC) compared to direct Cherenkov or LS measurements in water. The estimated MDACs for the method are 0.20 Bq/l using Cherenkov counting and 0.04 Bq/l using gross alpha/beta LS counting. The MDAC achieved with Cherenkov counting allows for radon-in-water measurements for the purposes of radiation protection, ecology, hydrology, and earth sciences without requiring LS cocktails. The MDAC for LS counting facilitates radium-in-water measurements (via radon measurement) for radiation protection without chemical pretreatment of the water sample. Additionally, the method enables direct estimation of the radon partition coefficient between water and oils. The partition coefficient of radon between sunflower oil and water at 20 °C is estimated at K = 23.2(16).
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apradiso.2025.111752 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Fukushima's Tap and Groundwater a Decade after the Nuclear Accident with Radiocesium, Tritium, and Radon.
Environ Sci Technol
March 2025
Institute of Radiation Emergency and Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8564, Japan.
More than 13 years after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident, concerns remain about drinking water contamination from artificial radionuclides and the ongoing discharge of tritiated water into the Pacific Ocean. However, natural radionuclides unrelated to FDNPP releases can also contribute to human radiation exposure. Here, we measured radionuclides in Fukushima tap and groundwater to assess exposure from Rn (natural); Cs (artificial); and H (both artificial and natural).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRadon in water measurements by sampling with sunflower oil.
Appl Radiat Isot
February 2025
Faculty of Physics, Sofia University "St Kliment Ohridski", 5 James Bourchier Blvd, 1164, Sofia, Bulgaria.
A novel method for measuring radon in water is proposed. This method involves sampling radon from water into sunflower oil and subsequently measuring the radon in the oil using either Cherenkov counting or Liquid Scintillation (LS) counting. The high partition coefficient of radon between oil and water enables radon preconcentration in the oil, significantly improving the Minimum Detectable Activity Concentration (MDAC) compared to direct Cherenkov or LS measurements in water.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNumerical simulations of radon diffusion-seepage in single fracture of rock.
J Environ Radioact
February 2025
University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China; National & Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Airborne Pollutants Control and Radioactivity Protection in Buildings, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China; Hunan Engineering Laboratory of Building Environment Control Technology, Hengyang, 421001, China. Electronic address:
The joint roughness coefficient (JRC) of rock fractures significantly effects their seepage characteristics, which is critical in radon diffusion-seepage studies. It is worthwhile to investigate how to accurately characterize the rock fracture roughness and its effect on radon diffusion-seepage patterns within fractured porous media. In this study, the roughness of single-fracture rock is thoroughly considered and described by the Barton curve.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCancer risk due to ingestion of naturally occurring radionuclides through drinking water: A systematic review.
Sci Total Environ
March 2025
Health Sciences Unit, Faculty of Social Sciences, Tampere University, FI-33014 Tampere, Finland; STUK - Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority of Finland, Surveillance and Environmental Monitoring, 01370 Vantaa, Finland.
Naturally occurring radionuclides can, in rare cases, reach high levels in drinking water of specific areas, leading to meaningful radiation exposures upon ingestion. Increased cancer risk is the only well-established health impact of exposure to low-dose radiation. Multiple ecological studies have shown conflicting results about cancer risk in areas of high levels of radionuclides in water.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAnnual effective dose assessment of radon concentration in spring and ground water for the population of Devprayag region in Uttarakhand Garhwal Himalayas.
Appl Radiat Isot
February 2025
Department of Physics, FET Champs Gurukula Kangri (Deemed to be University), Haridwar, 249404, India. Electronic address:
Radon measurement in the Himalayan region is crucial due to the unique geological composition that may lead to elevated radon levels in water sources, posing potential health risks to the local population. This study focuses on radon concentration in drinking water collected from 13 spring water samples and 13 groundwater samples (via hand pumps) across various locations in the Devprayag region. Radon levels were assessed using the SMART RnDuo continuous radon monitor.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!