Survey and assessment of levels of natural uranium in Yangtze River water

The uranium content in water and fish in Yangtze River is determined in 1979, 1980. The results of U content are given, it shows a change trend from high to low in U content from upper to lower. The average in the dry water period is higher than the rich water period, the range is (0.15 ∼ 4.21) x 10-2 Bq/L and (0.13 ∼ 3.06) x 10-2 Bq/L respectively. Total average is 2.04 x 10-2 Bq/L, lower than standard limit in China. The average of U content is 4.18 x 10-2Bq/kg in fish meat. There is great difference of U content among various fishes, the highest value is 9.44 x 10-2Bq/kg, the lowest is 1.60 x 10-2Bq/kg in fish meat. The U cumulative coefficient for various species of fish, the highest value is 4.5, the lowest is 0.53, but the U content in all fishes determined is below standard limit of foodstuffs radiation in China. The results of dose estimation and annual intake by inhabitant show that is below UNSCEAR report 1986