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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 14, 2026

Automated 90Sr Separation and Preconcentration in a Lab-on-Valve System at Ppq Level

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Published on: June 6, 2018

Understanding the Relationship between Gross Alpha/Beta and Radionuclide-Specific Testing in Drinking Water.

Raymond Ko¹, Marc Desrosiers¹, Elliott Skierszkan²

¹Radiation Protection Bureau, Health Canada, 775 Brookfield Rd, AL6302D, Ottawa, Canada, K1A 1C1.

|March 13, 2026

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

High uranium levels in Whitehorse groundwater can exceed gross alpha screening criteria. A high uranium-234 to uranium-238 ratio complicates universal correction factors for radioactivity testing.

Keywords:

Canada groundwater

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Area of Science:

Environmental Science
Radiochemistry
Public Health

Background:

Public screening of water supplies for radioactivity often yields questions regarding elevated gross alpha/beta results without specific radionuclide identification.
Groundwater testing is crucial for assessing drinking water safety and informing public health guidelines.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the cause of gross alpha exceedances in Whitehorse, Yukon groundwater.
To inform revisions of Canada's drinking water guidelines for radiological parameters.

Main Methods:

Analysis of groundwater samples from Whitehorse, Yukon.
Measurement of uranium concentrations and gross alpha activity.
Determination of the 234U/238U activity ratio.

Main Results:

Uranium concentrations at guidance levels (20-30 μg L-1) caused exceedances of gross alpha screening criteria (0.5 Bq L-1).
Ninety-five percent of samples exhibited a 234U/238U activity ratio greater than 1.
The observed isotopic ratios suggest caution in applying universal correction factors for gross alpha activity.

Conclusions:

Uranium is a significant contributor to gross alpha activity in Whitehorse groundwater.
The variable 234U/238U ratio necessitates specific considerations for radiological water testing and guideline development.
Findings will aid in updating Canada's drinking water guidelines for radiological parameters.