Determination of 238U and 232Th Levels in Well Water and Associated Radiological Hazards in the Municipality of Ivato Airport, Madagascar
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Groundwater always contains uranium and thorium but with varying concentrations depending on the area geological formation. Long-term ingestion of water containing high natural radioactivity levels could cause diverse effects to human health. This is the reason why the study of two radionuclides 238U and 232Th was conducted in the well water in the Municipality of Ivato airport, Madagascar. Measurements have been performed by high-resolution gamma spectrometry system with coaxial HPGe detector to determine the specific activities of two radionuclides in ten samples. The samples were put into 1 litre Marinelli beakers, sealed hermetically and stored for three weeks to reach secular equilibrium between 226Ra and its daughters before analyses. Results obtained showed that the specific activities vary from (4.08 ± 0.52) Bq.kg-1 to (4.48 ± 0.70) Bq.kg-1 with an average value of (4.36 ± 0.12) Bq.kg-1 and from (4.40 ± 0.42) Bq.kg-1 to (4.80 ± 0.73) Bq.kg-1 with an average value of (4.61 ± 0.12) Bq.kg-1 respectively. The effective annual dose rate due to ingestion were also determined, and compared to the worldwide average values, the WHO reference value and the permissible limit value of public. Statistical studies of the data were carried out to understand the behavior of uranium and thorium elements in these waters. Generally, radionuclides present in well water have normal levels of radioactivity. This means that these levels do not present any radiological risks to the local population.
Language: English
Subfield: Radiological and Ultrasound Technology
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4410188271