Effect of geochemical properties (pH, conductivity, TDS) on natural radioactivity and dose estimation in water samples in Kulim, Malaysia. Issue 7 (3rd October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ahmad, Nisar; ur Rehman, Jalil; Rehman, Javed; Nasar, Gulfam
• Is Part Of: Human & ecological risk assessment. Volume 25:Issue 7(2019)
• Page Start: 1688
• Page End: 1696
• Publication Date: 2019-10-03
• Subjects: water -- radioactivity -- geochemical properties -- HPGe; Health risk assessment -- Periodicals; Ecological risk assessment -- Periodicals; Ecology -- Periodicals; Risk Assessment -- Periodicals; 363.102
• DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2018.1526633
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1080-7039

Abstract

Abstract: Natural radioactivity ( 226 Ra, 232 Th, and 40 K) concentrations and geochemical properties (pH, conductivity, TDS) were determined in water samples in Kulim, Malaysia using gamma spectrometry and potentiometry, respectively. The activity concentration of 226 Ra, 232 Th and 40 K were ranged from 0.74 ± 0.04 to 7.40 ± 2.16 mBq l −1, 0.55 ± 0.03 to 6.45 ± 2.16 mBq l −1 and 40.3 ± 3.3 to 243.3 ± 9.3 mBq l −1, respectively. A negative correlation was obtained between 226 Ra, 232 Th concentrations versus pH, however, no such relation was found with conductivity and total dissolved solids. Annual cumulative effective doses due to intake of 226 Ra, 232 Th and 40 K for age group 1–5 y, 5–10 y, 10–15 y, and ≥18 y were calculated to be 1.77 µSv y −1, 1.55 µSv y −1, 1.4 µSv y −1, and 1.82 µSv y −1, respectively. The results for annual effective dose due to intake of 226 Ra show that children at the age of 1–5 y are at risk as compared to the other age groups. The annual effective doses due to intake of all three radionuclides in water for all age groups were found below the permissible limit of 0.1 mSv y −1 recommended by WHO.