Radon determination in groundwater under controlled conditions

A modified experimental method for the determination of radon in water including all steps of sampling, sample transportation and analysis has been tested successfully. The method is characterized by a new onsite technique for sampling water by pumping with minimized aeration and losses of radon during transportation. Submersible pumps as well as other sampling systems like membrane pumps or bailer are equally useful. The waiting time between sampling and measurement can be up to five days. The radon is extracted from the water sample by extraction using toluene scintillator cocktail. The radon activity is measured by liquid scintillation spectrometry. The described method is useful for measurement of radon concentration in groundwater samples as well as in other water samples like drinking water, surface water or spring water. (author)