Uranium and radium activities measurements and calculation of effective doses in some drinking water samples in Morocco

Oum Keltoum Hakam, Abdelmajid Choukri, Aicha Abbad, Ahmed Elharfi

Abstract


Purpose: As a way of prevention, we have measured the activities of uranium and radium isotopes (234U, 238U, 226Ra, 228Ra) for 30 drinking water samples collected from 11 wells, 9 springs (6 hot and 3 cold), 3 commercialised mineral water, and 7 tap water samples.

Methods: Activities of the Ra isotopes were measured by ultra-gamma spectrometry using a low background and high efficiency well type germanium detector. The U isotopes were counted in an alpha spectrometer.

Results: The measured Uranium and radium activities are similar to those published for other non-polluting regions of the world. Except in one commercialised gaseous water sample, and in two hot spring water samples, the calculated effective doses during one year are inferior to the reference level of 0.1 mSv/year recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection.

Conclusion: These activities don't present any risk for public health in Morocco. The sparkling water of Oulmes is occasionally consumed as table water and waters of warm springs are not used as main sources of drinking water.  


Keywords


Uranium; Radium; Public Health; Radioprotection; Effective Doses

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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.14319/ijcto.33.2

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