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An alternative method for Ra determinations in water.

D H Loyd1, E N Drake

  • 1Department of Physics, Angelo State University, San Angelo, TX 76909.

Health Physics
|July 1, 1989
PubMed
Summary

Radium (Ra) isotopes, specifically 226Ra and 224Ra, were measured in the Hickory Aquifer, Texas. A new method revealed discrepancies with EPA-approved techniques, particularly for 228Ra.

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Area of Science:

  • Environmental Science
  • Hydrogeology
  • Radiochemistry

Background:

  • The Hickory Aquifer in Texas's Llano Uplift Region is a vital water source.
  • Radium isotopes (226Ra, 224Ra, 228Ra) are naturally occurring and can impact water quality.
  • Existing EPA-approved methods for total radium measurement may be inaccurate in certain aquifer conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantify 226Ra and 224Ra concentrations in the Hickory Aquifer.
  • To develop and validate an alternative methodology for measuring radium isotopes.
  • To assess the accuracy of current EPA-approved methods for radium determination in this aquifer.

Main Methods:

  • Collected water samples from 13 wells across McCulloch and Mason counties.
  • Utilized alpha-particle activity measurements at specific time intervals post-isolation (12-300 h and >800 h).
  • Developed a new methodology to differentiate and quantify 226Ra, 224Ra, and 228Ra concentrations.

Main Results:

  • All sampled wells showed measurable alpha-particle activity.
  • Seven wells exceeded the 185 Bq m-3 (5 pCi L-1) threshold for 226Ra.
  • The proposed method provided self-consistent results for 226Ra and 224Ra, with negligible 228Ra contribution at shorter intervals.
  • 228Ra concentrations were calculable at longer post-isolation times (>800 h).
  • Significant disagreement was found between the new method's 228Ra results and previous Texas Department of Health data for one well.

Conclusions:

  • The standard EPA method for total radium is unreliable in aquifers with significant 224Ra.
  • The alternative methodology offers a more accurate approach for quantifying 226Ra, 224Ra, and 228Ra in the Hickory Aquifer.
  • Further investigation into radium isotope concentrations and their sources in this aquifer is warranted.

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