Gamma spectrometric measurements of radon daughter 214Bi in surface waters

Abstract

Gamma spectrometric measurements of 214Bi and 208Tl have been performed in water and bottom sediments of the Odra river, Poland, and some of its tributaries. Obtained results indicate that radon flux from the bottom sediment is significantly greater than radon produced by 226Ra present in water. Presence of water saturated sediments and influx of ground waters promote both radon and thoron migration. Effects of antropogenic coal mining 226Ra and Chernobyl 137Cs anomalies are insignificant.

Keywords

• Radon
• river
• water
• gamma
• spectrometry