Radon Estimation in Some Lakes and Fraser River Water of British Columbia, Canada using LR-115 Type II Alpha Track Detector

Hardev Singh Virk; Jasmine Virk

Abstract

Radon activity levels were measured in the five Lakes and Fraser River water samples collected from different locations of British Columbia in Canada. The purpose of this study was to compare Radon activity levels in all six sources of water. Water was collected in air tight bottles and stored for two weeks before investigation. LR-115 Type II nuclear track detectors of 1.2 cm2 were used for recording radon alpha tracks. Tracks were counted after etching with 2.5 N NaOH at 60°C for 2 hours, using an optical microscope to determine track density. Radon concentration was estimated using standard calibration factor of 0.0344 track cm-2 d-1 /Bq m-3. Highest value of radon concentration of 161.5 Bq/m3 has been found in Como Lake water of Coquitlam and lowest value of 36.34 Bq/m3 in Wood Lake. The Fraser River recorded a Radon activity level of 48.45 Bq/m3 near its delta in the Richmond area. The values of radon concentration in all sources under investigation are within the safe limits as recommended by US EPA. A brief description of Lakes under investigation is given in the Appendix.

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