SAMPLING AND MEASUREMENT OF RN-222 IN WATER

The radon-222 content of water especially is of interest considering a spects of radiation protection or techniques to investigate hydrologic characteristics of aquifers using radon-222 as a natural tracer. Samp ling and measurement of radon in groundwater are complicated by the hi gh volatility of the gas. A method including sampling techniques (pump ing, flushing time, filling arrangement and sample transportation) and rapid analysis of radon with high reproducibility was investigated an d tested. The measurement is based on extraction concentration of rado n-222 and liquid scintillation spectrometry. The defection limit of th is method is about 0.05 Bq l(-1) By means of alpha/beta discrimination it can be confirmed that radon-222 is the origin of the measured radi oactivity. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.