Size-fractionated thorium isotopes (228Th, 230Th, 232Th) in surface waters in the Jiulong River estuary, China

Thorium isotopes (228Th, 230Th, 232Th and 234Th) are useful tracers for studying particle dynamics and trace element scavenging in marine environments. In this study, surface waters were collected along a salinity gradient from the Jiulong River estuary, China, for determination of activity concentrations of 228Th, 230Th and 232Th in different size fractions, namely, the >53 microm, 10-53 microm, 2-10 microm, 0.4-2 microm, 10 kDa-0.4 microm and the <10 kDa fractions. Our results indicated that the activity concentrations of 228Th, 230Th and 232Th in the Jiulong River estuarine waters were significantly higher than most of the previously reported values in coastal and oceanic seawaters, suggesting a higher lithogenic U and Th contribution from the Jiulong River Basin. When normalized to the particulate mass concentration, the activity concentrations of the three thorium isotopes decreased with increasing particle size, demonstrating the important role of surface areas of particles in controlling the scavenging of thorium from the water column. The partitioning of three thorium isotopes showed a common characteristic, i.e., the >53 microm fraction had the least share (0-1%), while the 10-53 microm fraction had the largest share of Th isotopes. The average value of the 230Th/232Th activity ratio (230Th/232Th)(A.R.) increased from 0.8 in the >53 microm fraction to 3.7 in the 10 kDa-0.4 microm fraction, indicating that the radiogenic Th isotopes are preferentially scavenged by the small size particles. (230Th/232Th)(A.R.) in the <10 kDa and 10 kDa-0.4 microm fractions were similar, however, suggesting a similar chemical composition and/or equilibrium partitioning between the low molecular weight and colloidal Th. It was very interesting to note that the geochemical behaviors of the three Th isotopes were different from each other. Dissolved 228Th had the highest concentration in the mid-salinity region, showing a non-conservative behavior with additional input. In contrast, dissolved 232Th showed a concave profile, indicating a net removal of 232Th during the mixing of fresh water with seawater. The behavior of Th isotopes in the <10 kDa fraction followed those in the dissolved phases. The difference in geochemical behaviors among three Th isotopes was ascribed to their different sources in the estuary.     

Biomagnification of 7Be, 234Th, and 228Ra in marine organisms near the northern Pacific coast of Japan

Enrichment of natural radionuclides of thorium, radium and beryllium in several kinds of marine organisms was investigated near the Pacific coast of Miyagi Pref., Japan. The radioactivity of 7Be, 210Pb, 234Th, 238U, 228Ra and 137Cs was measured using gamma spectrometry. High concentrations of 234Th were observed in ascidian livers (50-400 Bq/kg dry) and excrement (2000-2900 Bq/kg dry), although the parent 238U concentrations were less than 3 Bq/kg dry. Such extreme disequilibrium between 238U and 234Th activity was observed in other organisms (barnacles, mussels and brown algae). Relatively high concentrations of 228Ra were detected in ascidian livers and were observed to decrease according to its half-life (5.75 year), suggesting disequilibrium with its parent 232Th. High concentrations (about 1900-5000 Bq/kg dry) of 7Be were detected in ascidian liver. Possible mechanisms for the observed biomagnification and bioaccumulation of these radionuclides in the organisms analyzed were proposed.     

Distribution of long-lived radionuclides of the 238U series in the sediments of a small river in a uranium mineralized region of Spain

A study is presented on the distribution and mobilization of the natural U isotopes (238U and 234U), 230Th, and 226Ra in the sediments of a small river crossing an uranium mineralized zone where a disused uranium mine is located. Due to the preferential directions for surface run-off waters and to the mine's situation, one sampling point along the river bed was identified as a point of accumulation of radionuclides. The average values of the activity concentrations (Bq/kg) in this sediment sample were 5,025, 5,055, 5,915 and 1,694 for 238U, 234U, 230Th and 226Ra, respectively, while the respective average values of the activity concentrations (Bq/kg) for the sediment sample considered to give the background level were 125, 124, 131 and 370. Isotopic ratios between the descendants of 238U served to clarify some paths of distribution, involving the soils nearest to the sampling points and the location of these points with respect to the disused mine. The differences in behaviour found between the uranium, thorium and radium isotopes were associated to the mobility of these radionuclides in the fluvial system studied. Correlations between the radionuclide activity concentration ratios and stable element concentrations in the sediment samples were also investigated.     

Distribution and mobilization of U, Th and 226Ra in the plant-soil compartments of a mineralized uranium area in south-west Spain

The activity concentrations of natural uranium isotopes (238U and 234U), thorium isotopes (232Th, 230Th and 225Th) and 226Ra were studied in soil and vegetation samples from a disused uranium mine located in the Extremadura region in the south-west of Spain. The results allowed us to characterize radiologically the area close to the installation and one affected zone was clearly manifest as being dependent on the direction of the surface water flow from the mine. The activity concentration mean values (Bq/kg) in this zone were: 10,924, 10,900, 10,075 and 5,289 for 238U, 234U, 230Th and 226Ra, respectively, in soil samples and 1,050, 1,060, 768 and 1,141 for the same radionuclides in plant samples. In an unaffected zone, the activity concentration mean values (Bq/kg) were: 184, 190, 234 and 7251 for 235U, 234U, 230Th and 226Ra, respectively, in soil samples and 28. 29, 31 and 80 in plant samples. The activity concentrations obtained for 232Th and 228Th showed that the influence of the mine was only important for the uranium series radionuclides. The relative radionuclide mobilities were determined from the activity ratios. Correlations between radionuclide activity concentrations and stable element concentrations in the soil samples helped to understand the possible distribution paths for the natural radionuclides.     

Uranium series isotopes in the Avon Valley, Nova Scotia

An U-series isotopic study was carried out in the waters of the Avon Valley, Nova Scotia. The fresh and acidic recharge waters flow rapidly through the watershed composed of a granitic highland and a sedimentary, largely carbonate, lowland plain, before draining to the sea. There is no significant anthropogenic pollution; but, naturally elevated U levels can be encountered within the bedrock. Nonetheless, the U concentrations of the surface and groundwater are low (generally within the range of several hundredths to several tenths of a microg l(-1)), except in the proximity to weathering of U mineralization. The dissolved U in the surface waters appears to be stabilized by organic rather than inorganic complexes. Both the groundwaters and surface waters have similar (234)U/(238)U activity ratios that rarely deviate from secular equilibrium by more than 20% throughout the watershed. The magnitude of the (234)U/(238)U activity ratio is not determined by lithology but rather by the weathering mechanism, the high rate of flushing, and the leaching of local U mineralization. Dissolved Ra is consistently absent. The dissolved Rn concentrations, though variable, are measurable even in surface waters. This may be due to a continual degassing from the U-enriched bedrock or release from local sites of U mineralization underlying the surface water sources.     

238U series isotopes and 232Th in carbonates and black shales from the Lesser Himalaya: implications to dissolved uranium abundances in Ganga-Indus source waters

238U and (232)Th concentrations and the extent of (238)U-(234)U-(230)Th radioactive equilibrium have been measured in a suite of Precambrian carbonates and black shales from the Lesser Himalaya. These measurements were made to determine their abundances in these deposits, their contributions to dissolved uranium budget of the headwaters of the Ganga and the Indus in the Himalaya and to assess the impact of weathering on (238)U-(234)U-(230)Th radioactive equilibrium in them. (238)U concentrations in Precambrian carbonates range from 0.06 to 2.07 microg g(-1). The 'mean' U/Ca in these carbonates is 2.9 ng U mg(-1) Ca. This ratio, coupled with the assumption that all Ca in the Ganga-Indus headwaters is of carbonate origin and that U and Ca behave conservatively in rivers after their release from carbonates, provides an upper limit on the U contribution from these carbonates, to be a few percent of dissolved uranium in rivers. There are, however, a few streams with low uranium concentrations, for which the carbonate contribution could be much higher. These results suggest that Precambrian carbonates make only minor contributions to the uranium budget of the Ganga-Indus headwaters in the Himalaya on a basin wide scale, however, they could be important for particular streams. Similar estimates of silicate contribution to uranium budget of these rivers using U/Na in silicates and Na* (Na corrected for cyclic and halite contributions) in river waters show that silicates can contribute significantly (approximately 40% on average) to their U balance. If, however, much of the uranium in these silicates is associated with weathering resistant minerals, then the estimated silicate uranium component would be upper limits.Uranium concentration in black shales averages about 37 microg g(-1). Based on this concentration, supply of U from at least approximately 50 mg of black shales per liter of river water is needed to balance the average river water U concentration, 1.7 microg L(-1) in the Ganga-Indus headwaters. Data on the abundance and distribution of black shales in their drainage basin are needed to test if this requirement can be met. (234)U/(238)U activity ratios in both carbonates and black shales are at or near equilibrium, thus preferential mobilization of (234)U from these deposits, if any, is within analytical uncertainties. (230)Th is equivalent to or in excess of (238)U in most of the carbonates. (230)Th/(238)U>1 indicates that during weathering, uranium is lost preferentially over Th. (232)Th concentrations in carbonates are generally quite low, <0.5 microg g(-1), though with a wide range, 0.01-4.8 microg g(-1). The variation in its concentrations seem to be regulated by aluminosilicate content of the carbonates as evident from the strong positive correlation between (232)Th and Al.     

Scavenging of 234Th in the Eastern Irish Sea

Measurements of the disequilibria of ²³⁴Th/²³⁸U in seawater and in suspended particulate and seabed sediment in the eastern Irish Sea reveal that the residence time of dissolved ²³⁴Th (0·5–7·7 days) is controlled by the concentration of particles in suspension (0·4–6·9 mg litre⁻¹, which reflects the rate of sediment resuspension (0·5–5·9 kg m⁻²y⁻¹). The residence time of ²³⁴Th with respect to removal to the seabed is longer (7–50 d) and is less dependent on variations in the suspended load. Anthropogenic sources of ²³⁸U contribute up to 8–15% of the water column production of ²³⁴Th. Enhanced scavenging occurs near the coast and there appears to be a net horizontal flux of ²³⁴Th within this region.     

Concentrations and activity ratios of uranium isotopes in the groundwater of the Okchun Belt in Korea.

Groundwater samples obtained from the Okchun Belt in Korea were separated into particulate and filtered fraction using a 0.45 microm membrane filter and concentrations and activity ratios of uranium isotopes in the fractions were determined by chemical separation and alpha-spectrometric measurements. Most of the uranium isotopes in the groundwater were found in the filtered water. Only less than 1% of the total uranium was detected in the particulate fraction. The concentrations and activity ratios of uranium isotopes in the groundwater measured in this study were variable, depending upon sampling site. Owing to a rapid material exchange between the subterranean hot waters and the rock strata, the concentrations of 238U in the groundwater in the hot spring area were found to be about four times higher than those elsewhere. Because of the alpha-particle recoil effect, the activity ratios of 234U/238U in the groundwater taken at "cold" spring sites were variable within the range 1.20 to 3.58, depending on the residence time of the groundwater. In the hot spring area, the activity ratios of 234U/238U were close to the equilibrium value (1.10 +/- 0.07) due to rapid erosion of the rock strata by the hot spring water.     

Direct comparison of 210Po, 234Th and POC particle-size distributions and export fluxes at the Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Study (BATS) site

Particle-reactive, naturally occurring radionuclides are useful tracers of the sinking flux of organic matter from the surface to the deep ocean. Since the Joint Global Ocean Flux Study (JGOFS) began in 1987, the disequilibrium between ²³⁴Th and its parent ²³⁸U has become widely used as a technique to measure particle export fluxes from surface ocean waters. Another radionuclide pair, ²¹⁰Po and ²¹⁰Pb, can be used for the same purpose but has not been as widely adopted due to difficulty with accurately constraining the ²¹⁰Po/²¹⁰Pb radiochemical balance in the ocean and because of the more time-consuming radiochemical procedures. Direct comparison of particle flux estimated in different ocean regions using these short-lived radionuclides is important in evaluating their utility and accuracy as tracers of particle flux. In this paper, we present paired ²³⁴Th/²³⁸U and ²¹⁰Po/²¹⁰Pb data from oligotrophic surface waters of the subtropical Northwest Atlantic and discuss their advantages and limitations. Vertical profiles of total and particle size-fractionated ²¹⁰Po and ²³⁴Th activities, together with particulate organic carbon (POC) concentrations, were measured during three seasons at the Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Study (BATS) site. Both ²¹⁰Po and ²³⁴Th reasonably predict sinking POC flux caught in sediment traps, and each tracer provides unique information about the magnitude and efficiency of the ocean's biological pump.     

Use of HPGe gamma-ray spectrometry to assess the isotopic compositiion of uranium in soils

Gamma-ray spectrometry was used to determine uranium activity and investigate the presence of depleted uranium in soil samples collected from camping sites of the Greek expeditionary force in Kosovo. Assessment of 238U concentrations was based on measurements of the 63.3 keV and 92.38 keV emissions of its first daughter nuclide, 234Th. To determine the isotopic ratio of 238U/235U, secular equilibrium along the two radioactive series was first ensured and thereby the contribution of 235U under the 186 keV peak was deduced. The uranium activity in the samples varied from 48 to 112 Bq kg(-1), whereas the activity ratio of 238U/235U averaged 23.1+/-4.3.     

Concentration and characteristics of depleted uranium in biological and water samples collected in Bosnia and Herzegovina

During Balkan conflicts in 1994-1995, depleted uranium (DU) ordnance was employed and was left in the battlefield. Health concern is related to the risk arising from contamination of the environment with DU penetrators and dust. In order to evaluate the impact of DU on the environment and population in Bosnia and Herzegovina, radiological survey of DU in biological and water samples were carried out over the period 12-24 October 2002. The uranium isotopic concentrations in biological samples collected in Bosnia and Herzegovina, mainly lichens, mosses and barks, were found to be in the range of 0.27-35.7 Bq kg(-1) for (238)U, 0.24-16.8 Bq kg(-1) for (234)U, and 0.02-1.11 Bq kg(-1) for (235)U, showing uranium levels to be higher than in the samples collected at the control site. Moreover, the (236)U in some of the samples was detectable. The isotopic ratios of (234)U/(238)U showed DU to be detectable in many biological samples at most sites examined, but in very low levels. The presence of DU in the biological samples was as a result of DU contamination in air. The uranium concentrations in water samples collected in Bosnia and Herzegovina were found to be in the range of 0.27-16.2 m Bq l(-1) for (238)U, 0.41-15.6 m Bq l(-1) for (234)U and 0.012-0.695 m Bq l(-1) for (235)U, and two water samples were observed to be DU positive; these values are much lower than those in mineral water found in central Italy and below the WHO guideline for public drinking water. From radiotoxicological point of view, at this moment there is no significant radiological risk related to these investigated sites in terms of possible DU contamination of water and/or plants.     

Environmental characterization and radio-ecological impacts of non-nuclear industries on the Red Sea coast

The Red Sea is a deep semi-enclosed and narrow basin connected to the Indian Ocean by a narrow sill in the south and to the Suez Canal in the north. Oil industries in the Gulf of Suez, phosphate ore mining activities in Safaga-Quseir region and intensified navigation activities are non-nuclear pollution sources that could have serious radiological impacts on the marine environment and the coastal ecosystems of the Red Sea. It is essential to establish the radiological base-line data, which does not exist yet, and to investigate the present radio-ecological impact of the non-nuclear industries to preserve and protect the coastal environment of the Red Sea. Some natural and man-made radionuclides have been measured in shore sediment samples collected from the Egyptian coast of the Red Sea. The specific activities of 226Ra and 210Pb (238U) series, 232Th series, 40K and 137Cs (Bq/kg dry weight) were measured using gamma ray spectrometers based on hyper-pure germanium detectors. The specific activities of 210Po (210Pb) and uranium isotopes (238U, 235U and 234U) (Bq/kg dry weight) were measured using alpha spectrometers based on surface barrier (PIPS) detectors after radiochemical separation. The absorbed radiation dose rates in air (nGy/h) due to natural radionuclides in shore sediment and radium equivalent activity index (Bq/kg) were calculated. The specific activity ratios of 228Ra/226Ra, 210Pb/226Ra, 226Ra/238U and 234U/238U were calculated for evaluation of the geo-chemical behaviour of these radionuclides. The average specific activity of 226Ra (238U) series, 232Th series, 40K and 210Pb were 24.7, 31.4, 427.5 and 25.6 Bq/kg, respectively. The concentration of 137Cs in the sediment samples was less than the lower limit of detection. The Red Sea coast is an arid region with very low rainfall and the sediment is mainly composed of sand. The specific activity of 238U, 235U and 234U were 25.3, 2.9 and 25.0 Bq/kg. The average specific activity ratios of 226Ra/228Ra, 210Pb/226Ra and 234U/238U were 1.67, 1.22 and 1.0, respectively. The relationship between 226Ra/228Ra activity ratio and sample locations along the coastal shoreline indicates the increase of this ratio in the direction of the Shuqeir in the north and Safaga in the south where the oil exploration and phosphate mining activities are located. These activities may contribute a high flux of 226Ra. The concentration and distribution pattern of 226Ra in sediment can be used to trace the radiological impact of the non-nuclear industries on the Red Sea coast.     

Inverse dependency of particle residence times in ponds to the concentration of phosphate, the limiting nutrient

234Th, a commonly used short-lived particle-reactive tracer in marine systems, was measured in three different holding pond series at the Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site (RFETS), Colorado, along with its parent nuclide 238U, to determine steady-state residence times of particle-reactive actinides such as Pu, and of particles. Series B ponds, which received industrial effluent that includes ortho-phosphate (PO4) and actinides, differed from series A and C ponds, which did not. This difference was also evident in the calculated particle residence times, which were <1 day for the ponds B4 and B5, where PO4 concentrations were higher (1.4 and 1.8 mg/l), and 3 and 3.4 days for ponds A3 and C2, respectively, where ortho-phosphate concentrations were lower (<0.1 mg/l). Particle residence times thus showed an inverse relationship with the concentration of ortho-phosphate, the limiting nutrient in fresh water systems. The same relationship to the concentration of ortho-phosphate or any of the other nutrient elements was not evident for the residence times of dissolved 234Th, which ranged between 0.1 and 2 days. This can be attributed to higher concentrations of dissolved and particulate ligands with greater binding potential for actinides such as four-valent Th and Pu in ponds with higher ortho-phosphate concentrations. Regardless of actual ortho-phosphate concentration, however, at water residence (holding) times of 1 month in these ponds, particles and associated actinides would be expected to be completely removed from the pond water to sediments.     

Natural radioactive nuclides in some Tunisian thermo-mineral springs

Radioactivity in some Tunisian thermo-mineral springs (11 hot mineral springs and one cold spring) has been determined for the first time in Tunisia using radiochemical separation procedures. The obtained results show that 238U activity concentrations vary between 1.5 and about 43 mBq/l. The measured activities of 234U and 226Ra range from 1.1 to about 82.2 mBq/l and 34-3,900 mBq/l. respectively. The radioactive disequilibria in these waters are in excess of concentration of 234U compared to that of 238U. The 226Ra/234U activity ratios are high and in the range of 9.0-691.0). U, Th and Ra activities are similar to those published for other non-polluted regions of the world. Radioactivity in the only cold mineral water from A?n Oktor is very low, and thus health hazards due to the consumption of this water are not expected.     

Natural activities of 40K, 238U and 232Th in elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) in Ibadan metropolis, Nigeria

Samples of elephant grass collected at some pasturing farmlands across different locations in Ibadan metropolis were analyzed for their natural radioactivity concentrations due to 40K, 238U and 232Th radionuclides. Radioactivity measurements were carried out using gamma-ray spectroscopy. The average radioactivity concentration of 40K was found to be 25.7+/-5.5 Bq kg(-1) for 238U and 33.4+/-3.9 Bq kg(-1) for 232Th. The radiological health implication to the population that may result from these values is found to be very low and almost insignificant. No artificial radionuclide, however, was detected in any of the samples, hence, measurements have been taken as representing baseline values of these radionuclides in the grass in the metropolis.     

Natural radioactivity measurements in the city of Ptolemais (Northern Greece)

Specific activities of the natural radionuclides (238)U, (226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K were measured by means of gamma-ray spectrometry in surface soil samples collected from the city of Ptolemais, which is located near lignite-fired power plants. The mean activity values for (238)U, (226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K were found to be 42+/-11, 27+/-6, 36+/-5 and 496+/-56 Bq kg(-1), respectively. These values fall within the range of typical world and Greek values for soil. The indoor radon concentration levels, which were also measured in 66 dwellings by means of SSNTD, ranged from 12 to 129 Bq m(-3), with an average value of 36+/-2 Bq m(-3). This value is close to world and Greek average values for indoor radon concentrations. The total effective dose due to outdoor external irradiation of terrestrial origin and to indoor internal irradiation from the short-lived decay products of (222)Rn was estimated to be 1.2 mSv y(-1) for adults, which is lower than the global effective dose due to natural sources of 2.4 mSv y(-1).     

90Sr, 238U, 234U, 137Cs, 40K and 239/240Pu in Emmental type cheese produced in different regions of Western Europe

A method is presented for the determination of (90)Sr and uranium in Emmental type cheese collected in dairy plants from different European countries. Results display a significant correlation (r = 0.708 Student t-test = 6.02) between the (90)Sr content of the cheese and the altitude of grazing. The highest (90)Sr activity is 1.13 Bq kg(-1) of cheese and the lowest is 0.29 Bq kg(-1). Uranium activity is very low with a highest (238)U value of 27 mBq kg(-1). In addition, (234)U/(238)U ratio shows a large enrichment in (234)U for every location. Without any significant indication of the geographic origin of the cheese, this enrichment is believed to be due to the geological features of the pasture, soil and underground water. These results tend to prove that the contamination of milk by uranium originates principally from the water that the cows drink instead of the forage. This finding may have a great importance in models dealing with dairy food contamination by radionuclides following a nuclear accident. Also, the (90)Sr content and to a lesser extent the (234)U/(238)U ratio could be used to trace the authenticity of the origin of the cheese. (137)Cs activity is lower than the detection limit of 0.1 Bq kg(-1) in all the samples collected (n = 20). Based on natural (40)K activity in cheese (15-21 Bq kg(-1)), the decontamination factor for the alkaline cations from milk to cheese is about 20. Plutonium activity stays below the detection limit of 0.3 mBq kg(-1).     

Estimation of radon exhalation rate, natural radioactivity and radiation doses in fly ash samples from Durgapur thermal power plant, West Bengal, India

Coal and its by products often contain significant amounts of radionuclides, including uranium which is the ultimate source of the radioactive gas radon. Burning of coal and the subsequent emission to the atmosphere cause the re-distribution of toxic trace elements in the environment. Due to considerable economic and environmental importance and diverse uses, the collected fly ash has become a subject of worldwide interest in recent years. In the present study, radon exhalation rate and the activity concentration of (238)U, (232)Th and (40)K radionuclides in fly ash samples from Durgapur thermal power plant (WB) have been measured by "Sealed Can technique" using LR-115 type II detectors and a low level NaI (Tl) based gamma ray spectrometer, respectively. Radon exhalation rate varied from 360.0 to 470.0 mBq m(-2)h(-1) with an average value of 406.8 mBq m(-2)h(-1). Activity concentrations of (238)U ranged from 84.8 to 126.4 Bq kg(-1) with an average value of 99.3Bqkg(-1), (232)Th ranged from 98.1 to 140.5 Bq kg(-1) with an average value of 112.9 Bq kg(-1) and (40)K ranged from 267.1 to 364.9 Bq kg(-1) with an average value of 308.9 Bq kg(-1). Radium equivalent activity obtained from activity concentrations is found to vary from 256.5 to 352.8 Bq kg(-1) with an average value of 282.5 Bq kg(-1). Absorbed gamma dose rates due to the presence of (238)U, (232)Th and (40)K in fly ash samples vary in the range 115.3-158.5 nGy h(-1) with an average value of 126.4 nGy h(-1). While the external annual effective dose rate varies from 0.14 to 0.19 mSv y(-1) with an average value of 0.15 mSv y(-1), effective dose equivalent estimated from exhalation rate varies from 42.5 to 55.2 microSv y(-1) with an average value of 47.8 microSv y(-1). Values of external hazard index H(ex) for the fly ash samples studied in this work range from 0.69 to 0.96 with a mean value of 0.77.     

Distribution of uranium isotopes in surface water of the Llobregat river basin (Northeast Spain)

A study is presented on the distribution of ²³⁴U, ²³⁸U, ²³⁵U isotopes in surface water of the Llobregat river basin (Northeast Spain), from 2001 to 2006. Sixty-six superficial water samples were collected at 16 points distributed throughout the Llobregat river basin. Uranium isotopes were measured by alpha spectrometry (PIPS detectors). The test procedure was validated according to the quality requirements of the ISO17025 standard. The activity concentration for the total dissolved uranium ranges from 20 to 261 mBq L⁻¹. The highest concentrations of uranium were detected in an area with formations of sedimentary rock, limestone and lignite. A high degree of radioactive disequilibrium was noted among the uranium isotopes. The ²³⁴U/²³⁸U activity ratio varied between 1.1 and 1.9 and the waters with the lowest uranium activity registered the highest level of ²³⁴U/²³⁸U activity ratio. Correlations between uranium activity in the tested water and chemical and physical characteristics of the aquifer were found.     

234U and 238U isotopes in water and sediments of the southern Baltic

The aim of this work was to determine the concentration of 234U and 238U and calculate the values of the 234U/238U activity ratio in waters and sediments from the various regions of the southern Baltic Sea: Gdańsk Deep, S?upsk Narrow and Bornholm Deep. The concentration of uranium in analysed sediments from southern Baltic increase with core depth to what probably is connected with diffusion from sediments to water through interstitial water, where uranium concentration is much higher than in bottom water. The highest concentrations of uranium were observed in sediments of S?upsk Narrow (0.66-7.11 mg kg(-1) d.w.) and S?upsk Bank (0.61-6.93 mg kg(-1) d.w.), the lowest in sediments from Bornholm Deep (0.54-3.77 mg kg(-1) d.w.). The 234U/238U activity ratio results indicated that the sedimentation of terrigenic material and Vistula River transport are the general sources of uranium in the southern Baltic sediments. The value of 234U/238U activity ratio in sediments from reduction areas from southern Baltic (Gdańsk Deep and Bornholm Deep) indicated that reduction process of U(VI) to U(IV) and removing of anthropogenic uranium from seawater to sediments constitutes a small part only in Gdańsk Deep.