Field Method for Gross Detection of Alpha and Beta Radionuclides in Water Samples

A new field technique for detecting alpha and beta radionuclides in water samples has been developed. The technique entails concentrating a 0.5 L water sample with Actinide Resin (Eichrom Technologies, Inc.), then co-precipitating MnO2 and detecting the results with a GQ GMC-600+. Geiger Muller's counter. A standard method was also used to detect the gross alpha and beta activity in the same samples of water. A total of 10 samples were collected from wells and boreholes in different locations within the Pankshin metropolis. The result of the analysis shows that the field method has alpha activity that ranges from 0.021 ± 0.002 to 0.698 ± 0.014 Bq/L while the beta activity ranges from 0.713 ± 0.107 to 6.034 ± 0.131Bq/L respectively, the result for the standard methods also has alpha activity ranging from 0.004 ± 0.002 to 0.073 ± 0.003 and beta from 0.252 ± 0.012 to 12.520 ± 0.201 Bq/L. From the result of the analysis, it is evident that this approach produces a useful tool for quick field analysis, risk assessment, and initial decision-making capability