234U/238U and 235U/238U ratios in domestic water from the environs of Obuasi mine in Ghana

• Published in: Journal of radioanalytical and nuclear chemistry Vol. 287; no. 1; pp. 129 - 134
• Main Authors: Awudu, A. R., Darko, E. O.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 2011
• Subjects: Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Diagnostic Radiology; Domestic; Drinking water; Groundwater; Hadrons; Heavy Ions; Inorganic Chemistry; Mathematical analysis; Mines; Nuclear Chemistry; Nuclear Physics; Physical Chemistry; Spectrometry; Uranium; Ghana; Drinking water; γ-spectrometry; Activity concentrations; Uranium isotopes
• ISSN: 0236-5731; 1588-2780
• DOI: 10.1007/s10967-010-0662-x

Activity concentrations of 238 U, 235 U and 234 U were determined in different sources of drinking water at the Obuasi gold mines and its surrounding areas in Ghana. Water samples collected from the mines and its surrounding areas were analyzed using direct gamma-ray spectrometry and neutron activation analysis. The 234 U/ 238 U and 235 U/ 238 U ratios were calculated and the mean values range from 1.27 to 1.38 and from 0.044 to 0.045 respectively. The average 234 U/ 238 U ratio was from 1.27 for groundwater to 1.38 for treated water, demonstrating the lack of equilibrium. The average 235 U/ 238 U activity ratio is 0.045, indicating that only natural uranium was detected in the samples investigated.