Natural radioactivity of hot and mineral waters in Syria

A study of water chemistry and radioactivity of hot and mineral waters was conducted in Syria in order to determine the natural radioactivity levels as well as the mobility process of major radionuclides in the studied systems. The water samples were collected generally from carbonate and basaltic aquifer systems. The chemistry of ground waters was a reflection of the rock type, while no relationship was found between the radionuclides and water temperatures. The increase of 222 Rn concentration in hot and mineral waters was accompanied by a similar increase of the concentration of its parent radionuclides (Utot and 226 Ra). In parallel, the relative increase of 222 Rn concentration was correlated significantly with the presence of the large faults systems prevailing in the studied areas (Palmyrides and Great Arab-African Faults Systems). In all the cases the radionuclide activity levels were below the maximum contaminant levels given for drinking water and health effects. (author) 7 refs. 1 figs