Uranium and radium in groundwater and surface water samples in Morocco

• Published in: Radiation physics and chemistry (Oxford, England : 1993) Vol. 61; no. 3; pp. 653 - 654
• Main Authors: Hakam, O.K., Choukri, A., Moutia, Z., Chouak, A., Cherkaoui, R., Reyss, J.-L., Lferde, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2001; Elsevier
• Subjects: Continental interfaces, environment; Freshwater; Morocco; Natural waters; Ocean, Atmosphere; Radium; Sciences of the Universe; Uranium; Uranium; Natural waters; Radium
• ISSN: 0969-806X; 1879-0895
• DOI: 10.1016/S0969-806X(01)00362-0

Activities and activity ratios of uranium and radium isotopes ( 234U, 238U, 226Ra, 228Ra, 234U/ 238U, 226Ra/ 238U, 228Ra/ 226Ra) have been determined for 15 wells, 14 hot springs, 7 cold springs and 11 rivers. Activities of the radium isotopes were measured by ultra gamma spectrometry using a low background and high efficiency well type germanium detector whereas those of uranium were counted in an alpha spectrometer. The minimal, maximal and average values are reported here for each water source. The obtained results show that, unlike well waters, the thermal spring waters present relatively low 238U activities and elevated 226Ra activities and 234U/ 238U activity ratios. Uranium and radium activities are similar to those published for other non polluting regions of the world.