Determination of radionuclides in water and sediments

This thesis has been prepared for DIAMO, Branch GEAM Dolní Rožínka. Literature research includes a description of the ionizing radiation, natural radionuclides, mining of uranium ore and mineral deposits; Běstvina and Licoměřice. The experimental part includes sampling, analysis and evaluation of the content of selected radionuclides in the two selected locations. The content of uranium and radium in sludge from mine water treatment plant is determined annually by an external laboratory, using of semiconductor gamma-spectrometric analysis (GSA). Determination of both radionuclides in waters in these areas is carried out in the Centre of testing laboratories (SZLAB) in Dolní Rožínka. Uranium and radium activity is below the detection limit. Sludges from Běstvina, according to the results of external laboratories, routinely show activity of both radionuclides. But activity in the waters from this locality is below the detection limit. The goal of this diploma thesis is to verify the radionuclide content in sludge from CDV Běstvina by another method. As a comparative method was chosen determination of uranium using the UV-VIS spectrophotometry with separation on silicagel. Location Licoměřice was chosen as a reference. Like a supplementary method for determining the concentration of uranium was chosen ICP-MS. For the determination of the radium was chosen radiochemical method scintillator ZnS (Ag)