Analysis of ²¹⁰Po in water samples from some NORM industries along Yangtze River

The radiation exposure received by mankind mainly comes from natural radiation. This study investigated the levels of ²¹⁰Po in water samples from some NORM industries along the Yangtze River. The activities of ²¹⁰Po in the effluent from coal-fired power plants, a cement plant, an iron and steel making plant and an iron ore were (0.93-4.76) × 10^-3 Bq/L, (1.12 ± 0.07) × 10^-2 Bq/L, (9.89 ± 0.78) × 10^-3 Bq/L and (2.17 ± 0.21) Bq/L, which were all in fluctuation range of ²¹⁰Po concentrations in the Yangtze River. The activities of ²¹⁰Po in the effluent and rainwater from rare earth plants were as high as (1.03-1.40) × 10^-1 Bq/L and (3.05 ± 0.04) × 10^-1 Bq/L, which were two orders of magnitude higher than the background level. This should be paid special attention and needs further research. (authors)