Radioactive levels in Taihu and water bodies of Suzhou

The radioactive levels in Taihu and water bidies of Suzhou, southern China, were investigated in 1983. The results of the investigation were compared with that of 1973. In addition, the authors investigated a suspectable radioactive pollutant-ash of coal powder from Wongting coal-fired power plant and its affect on the water in Taihu and Suzhou section of the Grand Canal. These results show: the average radioactive levels in Taihu are 41.4 mBq/L for total α, 91.9 mBq/L for total β, 3.4 x 10-7 g/L for uranium, 3.5 x 10-7 g/L for thorium; in Suzhou section of the Grand Canal 37.6 mBq/L for total α, 101.9 mBq/L for total β, 3.6 x 10-7 g/L for uranium, 4.9 x 10-7 g/L for thorium; in shallow well of Suzhou 61.4 mBq/L for total α, 857.7 mBq/L for total β, 1.6 x 10-7 g/L for uranium, 3.9 x 10-7 g/L for thorium. The radioactive levels in dry season are higher than that in rainy season, and each of them is lower than that in 1973. The average radioactive levels in Taihu and in Suzhou section of the Grand Canal caused by ash of coal powder from Wongting coal-fired power plant are: 87.3 and 140.6 mBq/L for total α respectively; 146.3 and 162.8 mBq/L for total β; 162.0 and 130.2 mBq/L for 40K; 6.7 x 10-7 and 5.3 x 10-7 g/L for uranium and 4.1 x 10-7 and 4.6 x 10-7 g/L for thorium