Measurement of some water quality parameters related to natural radionuclides in aqueous environmental samples from former tin mining lake
Abstract
Abstract
The issue of water quality is a never ended issue and becoming more critical when considering the presence of natural radionuclides. Physical parameters and the levels of radionuclides may have some correlation and need further attention. In this study, the former tin mine lake in Kampong Gajah was chosen as a study area for its past historical background which might contribute to attenuation of the levels of natural radionuclides in water. The water samples were collected from different lakes using water sampler and some in-situ measurement were conducted to measure physical parameters as well as surface dose level. The water samples were analyzed for its gross alpha and gross beta activity concentrations using liquid scintillation counting and in-house cocktail method. Gross alpha and beta analyzed using in-house cocktail are in the range of 3.17 to 8.20 Bq/L and 9.89 to 22.20 Bq/L; 1.64 to 8.78 Bq/L and 0.22 to 28.22 Bq/L, respectively for preserved and un-preserved sample. The surface dose rate measured using survey meter is in the range of 0.07 to 0.21 µSv/h and 0.07 to 0.2 µSv/h for surface and 1 meter above the surface of the water, respectively.
ABSTRAK
Isu kualiti air adalah merupakan isu yang tak pernah selesai dan menjadi lebih kritikal bila mengambil kira kehadiran radionuklid tabii. Parameter fisikal dan tahap radionuklid mempunyai korelasi tertentu dan memerlukan perhatian seterusnya. Di dalam kajian ini, tasik bekas lombong bijih timah di Kampong Gajah, telah dipilih sebagai tapak kajian kerana mempunyai latarbelakang sejarah tersendiri yang menyumbang kepada kandungan radionuklid tabii di dalam air. Sampel air yang diambil dari lombong yang berbeza menggunakan penyampel air dan pengukuran kualiti air dan kadar tahap serapan radionuklid telah dilakukan ditempat persampelan. Semua sampel telah dianalisis bagi menentukan kepekatan aktiviti kasar alfa dan beta menggunakan koktil yang dibangunkan sendiri. Kepekatan aktiviti kasar alfa dan beta adalah di dalam julat 3.17 ke 8.20 Bq/L, 9.89 ke 22.20 Bq/L; 1.64 ke 8.78 Bq/L dan 0.22 ke 28.22 Bq/L, masing-masing . Kadar dos permukaan yang diukur menggunakan alat pengukur radiasi berada dalam julat 0.07 ke 0.21 µSv/j dan 0.07 ke 0.2 µSv/j bagi permukaan dan 1 meter di atas permukaan.
