THE USE OF CHARCOAL FROM AGRICULTURE WASTE IN THE SPECIATION OF IODINE FROM WELL AND RIVER WATERS

The concentrations of iodine in fresh waters are known to be within th e range of 0.5 to 35 ng.ml(-1), much lower than in oceanic waters. The iodine concentrations, particularly that of I-129 which is significan t from the radiation safety aspect, in public drinking waters have to be specified in order to verify the required level before distribution for domestic use. A modified version of an established method was use d in the adsorption of iodine, iodate, total inorganic iodine and char coal-adsorbable iodine using activated carbon prepared from oil palm k ernel wastes. A thorough investigation of the physical properties of t he activated carbon was carried out to determine its viability as an a dsorbent for volatile species such as iodine. The iodine species were preconcentrated from water samples collected from wells in villages an d from water intake points along rivers. The quantitative analysis of the species adsorbed was done by irradiating the activated charcoal lo aded with the respective species in a neutron flux of 5.1.10(12) n.cm( -2).s(-1) from a TRIGA Mk.II nuclear reactor. Recovery experiments usi ng spiked samples was done to provide quality assurance controls.