Radiochemistry Unit - Research Projects

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Determination of Isotopes Contributing to Total Gross Alpha Activity

Project is scheduled to begin July 1999

Factors Effecting the Determination of Radon in Groundwater

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of several factors, especially the effect of the chemical composition of the water sample, on the analysis of radon in water by EPA method 913.0. Various types of water samples (with different chemical compositions) were spiked with known concentrations of radon. These samples were analyzed using EPA method 913.0 and the recovery determined . Variations from expected recoveries were evaluated with respect to the chemical composition of the water. An attempt was made to identify which factors affected the results and how the method could be modified to overcome these effects.

1. Introduction
   1. Purpose and Scope
   2. Status of Radon RegulationsHealth EffectsOccurrence of Radon in Wisconsin Water Supplies
   3. Chemical and Radiochemical Properties of Radon
2. Materials and Methods
   1. Procurement of Natural Waters
      1. Sample Collection for Studies
      2. Inorganic Analysis of Natural Waters
   2. Materials
   3. Instruments
      1. Radon-222 Determination
      2. Radium-226 Determination
   4. Methods
      1. General Methods of Analysis
      2. Radon GeneratorsSample Loading CapacityDetermination of Counting EfficiencyBackground Samples
      3. Effect of Water Quality Parameters
3. Results
   1. Retainment of Radium-226 on Ion Exchange Resin
   2. Liquid Scintillation Cocktails
   3. Samples
      1. Inorganic Analyses
      2. Water Quality Versus Radon Recovery
4. Discussion
   1. Scintillation Theory
      1. General Theory
      2. Quenching
      3. Types of Cocktails
   2. Radon Generators
   3. Problem Caps and Vials
   4. Variations Between Different LS Cocktails
   5. Natural Waters Spiked with Radon
5. Conclusion
6. Bibliography