Measurement of radon concentration in groundwater using RAD7 in Roorkee area of Uttarakhand, India

Abstract

Among natural radiations, radon (222Rn) has a significant contribution to affect the mankind. Radon is generated in rock and soil and it easily dissolves in water and becomes common radiological constituent of groundwater. Groundwater may contain high concentrations of radon. In the present study, radon activity concentrations were measured in 12 representative groundwater samples collected from tube-wells/handpumps surrounding the Roorkee area of Uttarakhand, India. The measurements were performed by RAD7, an electron radon detector manufactured by Durridge Company Inc. Radon concentration values in groundwater show a wide variation. The radon concentrations in more than 50% of samples collected from Rampur, Bhagwanpur, Sisona, NIH, Kishanpur, Sherpur, Ibrahimpur and Khajarpur are above the safe limit of 11 Bq L-1 recommended by the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). The area needs further detailed investigation and continuous monitoring for determination of radon concentration of groundwater.