Application of a scintillation gamma spectrometer for determination of radon content in water
Experimental studies have been carried out to determine the sensitivity of a mobile scintillation gamma-spectrometer to radon-222 in mineral water samples for the selected measurement geometry and the minimum measurable activity of radon-222 in such samples. The measurement results of radon content...
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| Cite this: | Application of a scintillation gamma spectrometer for determination of radon content in water / D.А. Hakimov, I.V. Zhuk, M.K. Kievets // Problems of Atomic Science and Technology. — 2021. — № 6. — С. 187-190. — Бібліогр.: 7 назв. — англ. |
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Hakimov, D.А. Zhuk, I.V. Kievets, M.K. 2023-12-07T10:37:40Z 2023-12-07T10:37:40Z 2021 Application of a scintillation gamma spectrometer for determination of radon content in water / D.А. Hakimov, I.V. Zhuk, M.K. Kievets // Problems of Atomic Science and Technology. — 2021. — № 6. — С. 187-190. — Бібліогр.: 7 назв. — англ. 1562-6016 PACS: 87.55. N−, 29.30.Kv DOI: https://doi.org/10.46813/2021-136-187 https://nasplib.isofts.kiev.ua/handle/123456789/195807 Experimental studies have been carried out to determine the sensitivity of a mobile scintillation gamma-spectrometer to radon-222 in mineral water samples for the selected measurement geometry and the minimum measurable activity of radon-222 in such samples. The measurement results of radon content in mineral water samples obtained using such gamma-spectrometer are presented too. Проведено експериментальні дослідження з визначення чутливості мобільного сцинтиляційного гамма-спектрометра до радону-222 у пробах мінеральної води для обраної геометрії вимірювань і мінімальної вимірюваної активності радону-222 у таких пробах. Наведено результати вимірювання змісту радону в пробах мінеральної води, які отримані за допомогою такого гамма-спектрометра. Проведены экспериментальные исследования по определению чувствительности мобильного сцинтилляционного гамма-спектрометра к радону-222 в пробах минеральной воды для выбранной геометрии измерений и минимальной измеряемой активности радона-222 в таких пробах. Приведены результаты измерения содержания радона в пробах минеральной воды, полученные с помощью такого гамма-спектрометра. en Національний науковий центр «Харківський фізико-технічний інститут» НАН України Вопросы атомной науки и техники Application of nuclear methods Application of a scintillation gamma spectrometer for determination of radon content in water Застосування сцинтиляційного гамма-спектрометра для визначення змісту радону у воді Применение сцинтилляционного гамма-спектрометра для определения содержания радона в воде Article published earlier |
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| title |
Application of a scintillation gamma spectrometer for determination of radon content in water |
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Application of a scintillation gamma spectrometer for determination of radon content in water Hakimov, D.А. Zhuk, I.V. Kievets, M.K. Application of nuclear methods |
| title_short |
Application of a scintillation gamma spectrometer for determination of radon content in water |
| title_full |
Application of a scintillation gamma spectrometer for determination of radon content in water |
| title_fullStr |
Application of a scintillation gamma spectrometer for determination of radon content in water |
| title_full_unstemmed |
Application of a scintillation gamma spectrometer for determination of radon content in water |
| title_sort |
application of a scintillation gamma spectrometer for determination of radon content in water |
| author |
Hakimov, D.А. Zhuk, I.V. Kievets, M.K. |
| author_facet |
Hakimov, D.А. Zhuk, I.V. Kievets, M.K. |
| topic |
Application of nuclear methods |
| topic_facet |
Application of nuclear methods |
| publishDate |
2021 |
| language |
English |
| container_title |
Вопросы атомной науки и техники |
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Національний науковий центр «Харківський фізико-технічний інститут» НАН України |
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Article |
| title_alt |
Застосування сцинтиляційного гамма-спектрометра для визначення змісту радону у воді Применение сцинтилляционного гамма-спектрометра для определения содержания радона в воде |
| description |
Experimental studies have been carried out to determine the sensitivity of a mobile scintillation gamma-spectrometer to radon-222 in mineral water samples for the selected measurement geometry and the minimum measurable activity of radon-222 in such samples. The measurement results of radon content in mineral water samples obtained using such gamma-spectrometer are presented too.
Проведено експериментальні дослідження з визначення чутливості мобільного сцинтиляційного гамма-спектрометра до радону-222 у пробах мінеральної води для обраної геометрії вимірювань і мінімальної вимірюваної активності радону-222 у таких пробах. Наведено результати вимірювання змісту радону в пробах мінеральної води, які отримані за допомогою такого гамма-спектрометра.
Проведены экспериментальные исследования по определению чувствительности мобильного сцинтилляционного гамма-спектрометра к радону-222 в пробах минеральной воды для выбранной геометрии измерений и минимальной измеряемой активности радона-222 в таких пробах. Приведены результаты измерения содержания радона в пробах минеральной воды, полученные с помощью такого гамма-спектрометра.
|
| issn |
1562-6016 |
| url |
https://nasplib.isofts.kiev.ua/handle/123456789/195807 |
| citation_txt |
Application of a scintillation gamma spectrometer for determination of radon content in water / D.А. Hakimov, I.V. Zhuk, M.K. Kievets // Problems of Atomic Science and Technology. — 2021. — № 6. — С. 187-190. — Бібліогр.: 7 назв. — англ. |
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2025-11-24T05:09:03Z |
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2025-11-24T05:09:03Z |
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| fulltext |
ISSN 1562-6016. ВАНТ. 2021. № 6(136) 187
https://doi.org/10.46813/2021-136-187
APPLICATION OF A SCINTILLATION GAMMA-SPECTROMETER
FOR DETERMINATION OF RADON CONTENT IN WATER
D.А. Hakimov, I.V. Zhuk, M.K. Kievets
State Scientific Institution “The Joint Institute for Power and Nuclear Research – Sosny”
NAS of Belarus, Minsk, Belarus
E-mail: hakimov.d@sosny.bas-net.by
Experimental studies have been carried out to determine the sensitivity of a mobile scintillation gamma-
spectrometer to radon-222 in mineral water samples for the selected measurement geometry and the minimum
measurable activity of radon-222 in such samples. The measurement results of radon content in mineral water sam-
ples obtained using such gamma-spectrometer are presented too.
PACS: 87.55. N−, 29.30.Kv
INTRODUCTION
Natural concentrations of uranium and, consequent-
ly, radium-226 in soils and rocks are sources of radon-
222. Radon can also be present in water as a result of its
transfer from soils and rocks. In many countries, drink-
ing water comes from underground sources such as
springs, wells, and artesian wells. As a rule, the concen-
tration of radon in water that comes from such sources
is higher than in water from surface sources, like water
reservoirs, lakes, rivers. Groundwater, the main thera-
peutic factor of which is radon, is very popular all over
the world [1].
Radon is a radioactive monoatomic inert gas, the
heaviest of the noble gases: its density at 0°C is
9.81 kg/m
3
, which is almost 7.6 times more than the
density of air. The solubility of radon in water is
460 ml/l. All radon isotopes are radioactive and have
short half-lives: the half-life of
222
Rn is 3.82 days,
220
Rn
(thoron) is 55.6 s, and
219
Rn is 3.96 s. Due to very short
half-lives of radon isotopes
219
Rn and
220
Rn, the mineral
water supplied for the procedures in sanatoriums con-
tains only the 222nd isotope of radon
222
Rn [2].
Radon baths can be prepared both artificially from
radium-226, which is available in the form of dissolved
salts, or by using natural mineral radon water extracted
from drilled wells. The radioactive radon gas is not de-
tected by standard methods. If suspicions of radon pres-
ence are not unfounded, measurements can only be car-
ried out using special equipment [3].
The purpose of the work was to determine the sensi-
tivity of a scintillation gamma-spectrometer MKS-
AT6101C manufactured by SPE “ATOMTEX”, Minsk
[4] to Rn-222 radionuclide for the selected measurement
geometry, to assess the need for usage of shielding in
order to reduce background radiation when measuring
specific activity of this radionuclide in water samples,
as well as to determine the lowest threshold of the min-
imum measurable activity. Determination of the sensi-
tivity parameter will form the basis for activity calibra-
tion of this gamma-spectrometer for measuring radon-
222 content in water.
1. MATERIALS AND METHODS
As a measuring container for water samples, a glass
jar of 0.5 l volume with a metal lid, which is closed us-
ing a seaming machine, was used. The choice of opti-
mal containers and methods of their sealing is described
in [1]. Collected water samples with various radon-222
content were placed in these measuring containers. As a
gamma-ray detector, a scintillation detector with a
NaI(Tl)-crystal, having 63×63 mm in size, which is part
of a MKS-AT6101C gamma-spectrometer, was used.
The processing of gamma-spectra was carried out using
applied software “ATAS” (SPE “ATOMTEX”) [5]. In
order to reduce the external background noise, lead
shielding was additionally manufactured, and a special
tripod was used to fix the detector in a vertical position.
During measurements, lead shieldings with different
thicknesses (50 and 15 mm) were used. Water samples
were measured vertically with a metal lid facing down
directly on the end surface of the detector.
Measurement of radon-222 in water samples was
carried out using its daughter decay product – Bi-214,
which is in equilibrium with the parent radionuclide,
with the registration of its photopeak with gamma-ray
energy of 609.3 keV and a quantum yield of
0.461 photons/decay.
The sensitivity S, (imp•kg)/(s•Bq) of the MKS-
AT6101C gamma-spectrometer to water samples con-
taining radon-222 was calculated according to [6] using
the formula (1):
УА
ф
NN
S
, (1)
where N – the integral count rate in the energy range
from 510 to 720 keV when measuring a water sample
containing radon-222, counts/s; Nф – the integral count
rate in the energy range from 510 to 720 keV when
measuring a background water sample, counts/s; УА –
the specific activity of radon-222 in a water sample at
the time of measurement, Bq/kg.
Calculation of the specific activity of radon-222 in a
sample was carried out for a MKS-AT6101C
gamma-spectrometer according to the formula:
t
sample
Cs
Rn
st
sample
е
m
n
A
n
RnУА
137
222
222 , (2)
where nsample – the count rate in the photopeak at energy
of 609.3 keV for a given sample, counts/s; msample – the
weight of a given sample, kg;
st
A
n
– the coefficient
ISSN 1562-6016. ВАНТ. 2021. № 6(136) 188
obtained using a reference radioactive solution contain-
ing Cs-137 radionuclide; λ – the decay constant of ra-
don-222, equal to 0.181 days-1; t – the sample aging
time, days;
tе
– the correction coefficient due to the
decay of radon-222; 222
137
Rn
Cs
– the ratio of gamma-ray
yields for energies 609.3 and 661.6 keV (46.1 and
85.1 %, respectively).
Fig. 1,a,b show gamma-spectra for mineral radon
water samples measured using a gamma-spectrometer
based on a semiconductor Ge(Li)-detector DGDK-80B
and a gamma-spectrometer MKS-AT6101C, respective-
ly.
Fig. 1. Gamma-spectrum of a sample of mineral radon
water measured using a gamma-spectrometer based
on a semiconductor Ge(Li)-detector DGDK-80B.
The concentration of Rn-222 in the sample is
1.7 kBq/kg, measurement time – 1200 s (red arrow
points on the peak with the energy of 609.3 keV) (a);
gamma-spectrum of a sample of mineral radon water
measured using a MKS-AT6101C/gamma-spectrometer
with NaI(Tl)-scintillation detector. The concentration
of Rn-222 in the sample is 1.7 kBq/kg, the measurement
time is 1200 s (red arrow points on the peak
with the energy of 609.3 keV) (b)
The mean value of the sensitivity of a MKS-
AT6101C gamma-spectrometer to water samples con-
taining radon-222 for the selected geometry (0.5 l glass
jar), determined by the formula (1), was ((0.0047±
10)%) counts∙kg/s∙Bq.
Minimum measurable activity (MMA) is the small-
est activity of a radionuclide in a measured sample,
which with the help of a given measuring installation,
using given method of analysis of instrumental radiation
energy spectrum can be determined for a defined time
so that the uncertainty of type A due to the count rate in
the photopeak for the line with the energy of the region
of interest doesn’t exceed a specified value. Depending
on the conditions and parameters of the measurement,
the MMA is essentially the lower dynamic level of the
activity measurement range, for which the requirements
for the permissible uncertainty of type A must be met.
The MMA value for a given radionuclide under con-
stant background conditions with expanded measure-
ment uncertainty (k = 2) was calculated according to [7]
using the formula (3):
ii ItE
N
tA
0
'
0min
)(
200
)( , (3)
where N
– the number of counts registred in the
photopeak, counts/s; )( iE – the value of the effi-
ciency of gamma-rays registration in the photopeak of
the given energy Eγi for a given radionuclide and for the
selected measurement geometry, Bqs
-1
; Iγi – the yield of
gamma-rays ith energy Eγi for a given radionuclide, %;
t0 – the measurement time, s.
In order to determine the MMA value distilled wa-
ter, samples in 0.5 l glass jar were measured using a
MKS-AT6101C gamma-spectrometer during
600…7200 s in 3 measurement geometry options: 1st –
with 50 mm thick lead shielding, 2nd – with 15 mm
thick lead shielding, 3rd – without lead shielding. The
measuring scheme for the water samples is shown in
Fig. 2, and the MMA values are presented in Table 1.
Fig. 2. Measuring scheme for water samples for the
determination of the MMV value: a without lead
shielding and b with lead shielding (50 and 15 mm
of thick): 1 distilled water in a glass jar
with the volume of 0.5 l; 2 detector of the scintillation
gamma-spectrometer MKS-AT6101C; 3 lead
From Table 1 one can draw a conclusion that the us-
age of lead shielding leads to the decrease of MMA val-
ues of radon-222 for the MKS-AT6101С gamma-
spectrometer in water samples for the selected geometry
(0.5 l glass jar) by 1.8…2.0 times when the thickness of
the field shielding is equal to 50 mm and by 1.4…1.5
when it is equal to 15 mm.
a
b
b a
ISSN 1562-6016. ВАНТ. 2021. № 6(136) 189
Table 1
MMA values of radon-222 for the MKS-AT6101С gamma-spectrometer in water samples for the selected geometry
(0.5 l glass jar)
Measurement
geometry
MMA, Bq
Measurement time, s
600 900 1200 1800 2700 3600 7200
with lead shielding
(50 mm)
290 190 140 90 60 50 25
with lead shielding
(15 mm)
370 250 190 120 80 60 30
without lead shielding 530 350 260 180 120 90 50
2. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Radon water samples, when placed in every investi-
gated container, were measured repeatedly at the specif-
ic intervals of time in the term of 19 days, and the spe-
cific activity of radon-222 at the time of measurement
was determined. Logarithmic dependence of the meas-
ured activity to the time, elapsed since sampling, as well
as linear approximation of this dependence is shown in
Fig. 3.
Fig. 3. Logarithmic dependence of measured specific
activity of radon-222 of the sample on sample aging
time, as well as its linear approximation
As it can be seen from Fig. 3, the data of the specific
activity of radon-222 in the measured water sample is
well approximated by a straight line, and the slope of
this straight line (the first factor in the approximation
equation) is close to the constant decay of radon-222
(0.181 day-1), which indicates the absence of radon
leakage from a 0.5 l glass jar with a metal lid
In order to confirm the correctness of the results ob-
tained for the determination of radon-222 concentration
in mineral radon water samples using a MKS-AT6101C
gamma-spectrometer interlaboratory comparisons were
performed. Measurements of 2 samples of mineral ra-
don water for the selected geometry (0.5 l glass jar)
were carried out in 5 various laboratories of 4 organiza-
tions in Belarus.
The results of the measurements of the samples in
the laboratories of the following organizations in Bela-
rus are presented in Table 2:
1. Educational institution “International Sakharov
Environmental Institute of Belarusian State University”,
Laboratory of nuclear spectrometry of the Chair of Nu-
clear and Radiation Safety (Lab. № 1); type of measur-
ing instrument (MI): a gamma-spectrometer based on a
coaxial semiconductor detector GCD-100210 “BSI” and
a digital multichannel analyzer (MCA) “HEXAGON”.
2. Scientific institution “JIPNR-Sosny”, Laboratory
of experimental nuclear physics research and expert
analyses of radioactive materials (Lab. № 2a); MI: a
gamma-spectrometer based on a coaxial semiconductor
Ge(Li)-detector DGDK-80B.
3. Scientific institution “JIPNR-Sosny”, Laboratory
of experimental nuclear physics Research and expert
analyses of radioactive materials (Lab. № 2b); MI: a
scintillation gamma spectrometer MKS-AT6101C.
4. Scientific institution “JIPNR-Sosny”, Radiation
safety department. (Lab. № 3); MI: a gamma spectrome-
ter based on a coaxial semiconductor detector GEM-
30185 “ORTEC” and MCA “Davidson” 2056-4k,
№ 27-P49LA.
5. Joint Belarusian-Russian CJSC “Isotope Technol-
ogies” (Lab. № 4); MI: a gamma spectrometer based on
a coaxial semiconductor detector GMX40P4-76
“ORTEC”.
6. State institution “Republican center for hydrome-
teorology, control of radioactive contamination and en-
vironmental monitoring” (Lab № 5): MI: a gamma-
spectrometer based on a coaxial semiconductor detector
GEM-S8530 “ORTEC”.
Table 2
Measurement results of water samples containing radon-222 in various laboratories of Belarusian organizations
Sample
number
Specific activity of radon-222, Bq/kg
Lab. № 1 Lab. № 2a Lab. № 2b Lab. № 3 Lab. № 4 Lab. № 5 Mean value
7 770±230 705±140 715±140 790±160 730±150 720±140 738
24 1040±305 870±170 840±170 890±180 870±170 850±170 893
As a result of the carried out research, experimental
data was obtained, and the value of the sensitivity of a
mobile scintillation gamma-spectrometer MKS-
AT6101C to radon-222 in mineral water samples for the
ISSN 1562-6016. ВАНТ. 2021. № 6(136) 190
selected measurement geometry was determined. Values
of the minimum measurable activity of radon-222 in
such samples were determined depending on the meas-
urement time. The correctness of the results of radon-
222 concentration determination in mineral radon water
samples obtained using this gamma spectrometer was
confirmed during the interlaboratory comparison.
There are several sanatoriums in Belarus where ei-
ther natural mineral radon water extracted from wells or
artificially prepared radon water is used for therapeutic
purposes. The laboratory of experimental nuclear phys-
ics research and expert analyses of radioactive materials
of the scientific institution "JIPNR-Sosny" is accredited
to carry out analyzes for the determination of radon-222
concentration, including in water, and since 2010, such
analyzes have been regularly carried out using a gamma
spectrometer based on a coaxial semiconductor detector
[1, 2]. All collected water samples (there may be about
hundreds of them) must be delivered to the scientific
institution "JIPNR-Sosny" where they are measured at
laboratory conditions.
The measurement technique for the determination of
radon-222 concentration in water has been developed
using a mobile gamma-spectrometer MKS-AT6101C. It
makes it possible to determine the specific activity of
radon-222 in water samples in the range of
50…10000 Bq/kg with expanded uncertainty (k = 2) not
exceeding 20%.
The use of a mobile scintillation gamma spectrome-
ter MKS-AT6101C for the determination of radon-222
concentration in water samples will allow to control the
process of preparation of radon baths from radon waters
extracted both from wells, and, especially, from radon
waters obtained directly at sanatoriums’ locations by
using radon generators based on radium-226 salts prepa-
ration. It makes it possible to be more precise when de-
termining radiation doses received by patients when
taking radon baths, and consequently, it will improve
the quality of their treatment.
Mobility of the MKS-AT6101C scintillation gam-
ma-spectrometer makes it possible to measure radon
content in drinking water in wells directly at settlements
where they are located, without transporting samples to
specialized laboratories if such spectrometers are
equipped with portable shielding.
REFERENCES
1. I.V. Zhuk et al. Measurements of radon concentra-
tion in mineral radon water samples in the wells of
sanatorium “RADON” // Proceedings of XXVII In-
ternational Seminar Nonlinear Phenomena in Com-
plex Systems. Minsk, 19-22 May. 2020, p. 47-55.
2. M.K. Kievets et al. Research of radon content in
underground mineral water of Spas of Belarus //
Proceedings of XXVII International Workshop
“Nonlinear Phenomena in Complex Systems”.
Minsk, 25-27 Oct. 2016, p. 238-245.
3. Balneo-mud Clinic “Pyatigorsk”. Access mode:
http://bfo.kurortkmv. ru/radon_n.html.
4. SPE “ATOMTEX”: Spectrometers MKSAT6101C,
МКС-АТ6101CM. -Access mode: https://atomtex.
com/ru/spektrometry-spektrometricheskie-radiacionnye-
skanery/spektrometry-mks-at6101s-mks-at6101sm.
5. SPE “ATOMTEX”: Applied software “ATAS”/
“ATAS Lite”. Access mode: http://old.atomtex.com/
ru/software/prikladnoe-po-atas-atas-lite.
6. State Standard 17209-89. Tools for measuring the
volume activity of radionuclides in liquid. General
technical requirements and testing methods.
7. Standard of Belarus 8067-2017. System for ensuring
the uniformity of measurements of the Republic of
Belarus. Gamma-ray energy spectrometers. Verifica-
tion method.
Article received 05.10.2021
ПРИМЕНЕНИЕ СЦИНТИЛЛЯЦИОННОГО ГАММА-СПЕКТРОМЕТРА
ДЛЯ ОПРЕДЕЛЕНИЯ СОДЕРЖАНИЯ РАДОНА В ВОДЕ
Д.А. Хакимов, И.В. Жук, М.К. Киевец
Проведены экспериментальные исследования по определению чувствительности мобильного сцинтилля-
ционного гамма-спектрометра к радону-222 в пробах минеральной воды для выбранной геометрии измере-
ний и минимальной измеряемой активности радона-222 в таких пробах. Приведены результаты измерения
содержания радона в пробах минеральной воды, полученные с помощью такого гамма-спектрометра.
ЗАСТОСУВАННЯ СЦИНТИЛЯЦІЙНОГО ГАММА-СПЕКТРОМЕТРА
ДЛЯ ВИЗНАЧЕННЯ ЗМІСТУ РАДОНУ У ВОДІ
Д.А. Хакимов, І.В. Жук, М.К. Києвец
Проведено експериментальні дослідження з визначення чутливості мобільного сцинтиляційного гамма-
спектрометра до радону-222 у пробах мінеральної води для обраної геометрії вимірювань і мінімальної ви-
мірюваної активності радону-222 у таких пробах. Наведено результати вимірювання змісту радону в пробах
мінеральної води, які отримані за допомогою такого гамма-спектрометра.
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