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winnie_t
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Hi,
does anyone know how I can find out the max. concentration of Cs-137 and Sr-90 in water?
does anyone know how I can find out the max. concentration of Cs-137 and Sr-90 in water?
One could use a gamma spectrometer to measure the activity of a sample, then compare to a prepared calibration standard. Or one could take a sample, remove the water, measure the mass of the precipitate and the activity, and perhaps used an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) emission test to determine the amount of Cs and/or Sr.winnie_t said:Hi,
does anyone know how I can find out the max. concentration of Cs-137 and Sr-90 in water?
Astronuc said:One could use a gamma spectrometer to measure the activity of a sample, then compare to a prepared calibration standard. Or one could take a sample, remove the water, measure the mass of the precipitate and the activity, and perhaps used an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) emission test to determine the amount of Cs and/or Sr.
winnie_t said:but wouldn't there be a standard max. concentration at which point no more Cs or Sr can dissolve in water?
nikkkom said:Depends on salt. Example
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CsCl
"Solubility in water 1865 g/L"
(you could find it yourself).
You asked "does anyone know how I can find out the max. concentration of Cs-137 and Sr-90 in water?" - IOW, you asked specifically about Cs-137, not caesium in general.
Long before a salt solution with Cs-137 (say CsCl) start approaching saturation, it will be radiating millions of rem/h of gamma.
Well is this about dissolved or particles. Assuming it's of elemental origin, one would probably use the solubility constant for CsOH or Sr(OH)2. But then is one referring to seawater or freshwater, and there could be other compounds that enhance or hinder solution. Also, Cs and Sr are likely deposited on dust or other solid material.winnie_t said:but wouldn't there be a standard max. concentration at which point no more Cs or Sr can dissolve in water? Is this not some data I can find rather to calculate if I don't have to opportunity for an experiment?
The maximum concentration of radioactive particles allowed in drinking water varies depending on the specific type of radioactive particle. However, the maximum acceptable concentration for all types of radioactive particles is set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at 4 millirems per year.
The maximum concentration of radioactive particles in water is typically measured in units of pCi/L (picocuries per liter) or Bq/L (becquerels per liter). This measurement is determined through laboratory testing using specialized equipment.
The maximum concentration of radioactive particles in water can be affected by various factors such as the type of radioactive particle, the source of contamination, the volume of water, and the type of water treatment used. Environmental factors such as rainfall, flooding, and erosion can also impact the concentration of radioactive particles in water.
Exposure to high levels of radioactive particles in drinking water can increase the risk of developing certain types of cancer, such as leukemia and bone cancer. It can also cause other health issues such as damage to the thyroid gland and genetic mutations.
The most effective way to reduce the maximum concentration of radioactive particles in water is through proper water treatment processes, such as filtration and ion exchange. Additionally, preventing contamination at the source, such as properly disposing of nuclear waste, can also help reduce the concentration of radioactive particles in water.