Determination of the Radon Concentration in Underground Water in Selected Areas in and Around Kumasi
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Date
2012-06-21
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Abstract
Radon (222Rn) is a radioactive noble gas of natural origin that may be found anywhere in
soil, air and di erent types of water: surface, borehole, well and spring. It is worth to
carry out surveys for the radon in water for radiation protection as well as for geological
considerations. The research presentes here was carried out in selected towns in and around
Kumasi for the determination of radon concentration in groundwater. The major towns from
which samples were taken are , Mowire, Kronum, Aburaso, Medoma, Kenyase, Buokrom,
Bomfa, Ayeduase, Kotei, Tikrom. All the samples are used for domestic purposes such
as cooking,drinking,bathing and washing. Waters from boreholes and wells in the selected
towns were sampled and the radon concentration level measured. The Roll’s method was
used for the radon concentration analysis on all the 100 samples. The results shows that,
the minimum radon concentration in groundwater was 13015.934 Bq/m3 and it was found
at Bomfa, and the highest was found to be 964628.480 Bq/m3 , recorded at Mowire. It is
believed that this variation of levels is mainly due to the di erence in rock type,soil type and
geology of the area as well as the depth of the water samples. This information can be used
to estimate the possible health hazards from radon in the selected towns in the future from
environmental point of view. The data would promote public awareness related to risk of
radon exposure.
Description
A Thesis Submitted to the Department of Physics,Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science (Nuclear Physics), June-2012