Natural radioactivity levels of geothermal waters and their influence on soil and agricultural activities

Abstract

All over the world geothermal sources are used for different purposes. The contents of these waters are important to understand positive/negative effects on human life. In this study, natural radioactivity concentrations of geothermal waters were investigated to evaluate the effect on soils and agricultural activities. Geothermal water samples were collected from the Seferihisar Geothermal Region, and the radon and radium concentrations of these waters were analysed using a collector chamber method. Also soil samples, which are irrigated with geothermal waters, were collected from the surroundings of geothermal areas, and natural radioactivity concentrations of collected samples (U, Th and K) were determined using an NaI(Tl) detector system. The activity concentrations of radon and radium were found to be 0.6-6.0 and 0.1-1.0 Bq l(-1), respectively. Generally, the obtained results are not higher compared with the geothermal waters of the world. The activity concentrations in soils were found to be in the range of 3.3-120.3 Bq kg(-1) for (226)Ra (eU), 0.3-108.5 Bq kg(-1) for (232)Th (eTh), 116.0-850.0 Bq kg(-1) for (40)K (% K).

Measurement of 226-Ra, 232-Th, 40-K and 137-Cs concentrations in sediment samples and determination of annual effective dose due to these radionuclides in vicinity of hot springs in Kerman Province

“…As shown in table 2, in a study done by Pourimani et al, on radioactivity of hot springs in Mahallat (Iran) (6) as well as in a study performed by T. Bhongsuwan et al, on the Khao-Than hot spring in south Thailand (16) , showed that among measured values, 226 Ra had the highest value in comparison with other radionuclides, while in the present study, the highest concentration value was related to 40 K. Muslim Murat et al, investigated the effects of radioactivity on soil of the Seferihisar Geothermal Region (SGR) in southwestern Turkey (14) , as well as Pradeep et al, in a study on the Kemessie hot spring in Ethiopia (10) and Alnassar et al, in a study on the Seberang Perai region of Malaysia (5) , which were similar with the present study in terms of high concentration of 40 K.…”

“…Investigating radioactivity condition in hot springs is of great importance, because of the absorption possibility of radioactive and mineral materials available in deep layers of earth's crust by waters of these hot springs during passing through these layers, especially under high pressure (14) , thus can make them as carriers of radioactive materials into hot springs. Therefore, people who use these hot springs are at risk of radiation exposure, depending on radioactivity level of hot springs.…”

222Ra and 226Ra in geothermal waters of Bayındır-Izmir (Turkey)

“…3). This method is based on transferring the radon ( 222 Rn) and its decay products from water to a collector chamber and then collecting the alpha particles on a copper plate in the chamber (Kumru 1992;Kumru and Oznur 1994;Erees et al 2006;Saç et al 2012Saç et al , 2014Sahin et al 2013;Tabar et al 2013).…”

<b>Influence of natural radon and metal contamination on surface water quality from a Brazilian Semiarid Region

“…Especially in warm regions such as the case of the Brazilian northeast, this action is naturally performed helping to reduce and/or prevent the exposure. Unlike, water from Uranium-rich regions can become a constant source to radon exposure (Geras'kin et al, 2007;Al Zabadi, Musmar, Issa, Dwaikat, & Saffarini, 2012;Murat Saç et al, 2014) especially where the accessibility to water supply is restricted as the case of Lajes Pintadas city. In this context, the importance to understand water as source of exposure is enhanced.…”