Radionuclides in hot mineral spring waters in Jordan

Hot mineral springs in Jordan are very attractive to people who seek physic al healing but they are unaware of natural radioactive elements that may be contained in the hot mineral water. The activities of the natural radioact ive isotopes were measured and the concentrations of the parents of their n atural radioactive series were calculated. The measured radionuclides were Th-234, Ra-226, Pb-214, Bi-214, Ac-228, Th-228, Pb-212, Bi-212 and Tl-208. In addition the activities of U-235 and K-40 were measured. The activities ranged from 0.14 to 34.8 Bq/l, while the concentrations of parent uranium a nd thorium isotopes ranged from 3.0 x 10(-3) to 0.59 mg/l. The results were compared with those for drinking water. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.