title: Radioactivity in the groundwater of a high background radiation area.
abstract: Natural radioactivity was measured in groundwater samples collected from 37 wells scattered in an inhabited area of high natural background radiation, in a purpose of radiation protection. The study area is adjacent to Aja heights of granitic composition in Hail province, Saudi Arabia. Initial screening for gross α and gross β activities showed levels exceeded the national regulation limits set out for gross α and gross β activities in drinking water. The gross α activity ranged from 0.17 to 5.41 Bq L(-)(1) with an average value of 2.15 Bq L(-)(1), whereas gross β activity ranged from 0.48 to 5.16 Bq L(-)(1), with an average value of 2.60 Bq L(-)(1). The detail analyses indicated that the groundwater of this province is contaminated with uranium and radium ((226)Ra and (228)Ra). The average activity concentrations of (238)U, (234)U, (226)Ra and (228)Ra were 0.40, 0.77, 0.29 and 0.46 Bq L(-)(1), respectively. The higher uranium content was found in the samples of granitic aquifers, whereas the higher radium content was found in the samples of sandstone aquifers. Based on the obtained results, mechanism of leaching of the predominant radionuclides has been discussed in detail.
authors.affiliation: King Abdulaziz University, Faculty of Engineering, Nuclear Engineering Department, P.O. Box 80204, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia. Electronic address: eishabana@kau.edu.sa.
authors.forename: E I
authors.initials: EI
authors.lastname: Shabana
authors.affiliation: King Abdulaziz University, Faculty of Engineering, Nuclear Engineering Department, P.O. Box 80204, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Kinsara
mesh_terms: D001417:Background Radiation; D060766:Drinking Water / Q000032:analysis*; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D060587:Groundwater / Q000032:analysis*; D011834:Radiation Monitoring; D011851:Radioactivity; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D014875:Water Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis*; D060986:Water Wells / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D060766:Drinking Water; D014875:Water Pollutants, Radioactive
keywords: Environmental radioactivity; Radium; Uranium; Water pollution; Water quality