The Origin of the Total Alpha and Beta Radiation Values of the Waters of Çanakkale Strait (Çanakkale/Turkey)

Abstract

This study is an evaluation of radioactivity the waters of the Çanakkale Strait. The gross alpha-and gross beta-radioactivity counts (Berthold, LB770-PC 10-Channel Low-Level Planchet Counter) were calculated for seawater samples taken from eight different regions of the Çanakkale Strait (Şevketiye, Seddülbahir, Lapseki, Kumkale, Burhanlı, Dereliman, Eceabat, and Gelibolu). In the samples, the gross alpha-radiation ranged between 0.064 and 0.046Bq/L and the gross beta-radiation ranged between 14.325 and 10.532 Bq/L. The highest gross alpharadiation concentration was measured at Gelibolu (0.064 Bq/L) while the lowest (0.046 Bq/L) was measured at Şevketiye. The highest value for gross beta-radiation concentration (14.325 Bq/L) was measured in Seddülbahir, and the lowest value (10.532 Bq/L) was measured in Dereliman. The gross alpha-radiation concentrations measured by the Turkish Atomic Energy Authority in Çanakkale's drinking and utility water ranged between 0.05 and 0.400 Bq/L, and the highest values (0.300 to 0.400Bq/L) were found in the Ezine county. Gross beta-radiation concentrations ranged from 0.05 to 0.500 Bq/L, and the highest values (from 0.400 to 0.500 Bq/L) were recorded in Lapseki province. The gross beta-radiation concentrations in both the sample results and TAEK data were determined to be high in Lapseki and its vicinity. Comparing the mean gross beta-and alpha-radiation concentration values of the Çanakkale Strait with the Bosphorus, the Sea of Marmara and the Black Sea, beta-radiation values in the study area were very high. Gross alpha-radiation results were low in the study area compared to other regions. Evaluating the results against the legal limit threshold, the results were above the legal limit for gross beta-radiation. This result indicates that the water is affected by the rocks through which it passes.