234U/238U and 235U/238U ratios in domestic water from the environs of Obuasi mine in Ghana

Activity concentrations of 238U, 235U and 234U were determined in different sources of drinking water at the Obuasi gold mines and its surrounding areas in Ghana. Water samples collected from the mines and its surrounding areas were analyzed using direct gamma-ray spectrometry and neutron activation analysis. The 234U/238U and 235U/238U ratios were calculated and the mean values range from 1.27 to 1.38 and from 0.044 to 0.045 respectively. The average 234U/238U ratio was from 1.27 for groundwater to 1.38 for treated water, demonstrating the lack of equilibrium. The average 235U/238U activity ratio is 0.045, indicating that only natural uranium was detected in the samples investigated. (author)