Radiological risk assessment and characteristics of 210Po in selected water sources in Quang Nam and Da Nang, Vietnam

Van- Hao Duong; Tien Chu Trung; Hung Danh Tran; Oanh Nguyen Thi; Duc Do Xuan; Hoang Ha Nguyen Thi; Hung Dinh Viet

doi:10.15625/2615-9783/19080

Author affiliations

Authors

Van-Hao Duong VNU School of Interdisciplinary Studies, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Vietnam
Tien Chu Trung VNU School of Interdisciplinary Studies, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Vietnam
Hung Danh Tran Hanoi University of Mining and Geology (HUMG), Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
Oanh Nguyen Thi VNU School of Interdisciplinary Studies, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Vietnam
Duc Do Xuan VNU School of Interdisciplinary Studies, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Vietnam
Hoang Ha Nguyen Thi Vietnam Japan University, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Vietnam
Hung Dinh Viet VNU School of Interdisciplinary Studies, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Vietnam

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15625/2615-9783/19080

Keywords:

210Po, Radiological risk assessment, drinking water, Quang Nam, Da Nang

Abstract

²¹⁰Po, one of the harmful natural isotopes with a long enough half-life, plays a significant role in environmental processes. 48 samples, including groundwater (dug wells, thermal water, and drill wells) and surface water (lakes, rivers, and streams) in the Da Nang - Quang Nam region of Vietnam were analyzed by an alpha spectrometer. Relatively low activities of ²¹⁰Po have been observed, whose mean values ranged from 0.15 to 4.58 and 1.34 mBq.L^-1. There is no significant variation in ²¹⁰Po activities between groundwater and surface water groups. The average ²¹⁰Po activity of those groups is 1.28 and 1.40 mBq.L^-1, respectively. The geological conditions of the study area, neutral pH values, and predominant oxidizing conditions supported the low ²¹⁰Po activities in the selected water sources. Average annual effective doses for adults, children, and infants due to the consumption of water containing ²¹⁰Po were found to be 1.15, 1.21, and 2.94 µSv.y^-1, respectively.

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