Implementación de un método de detección del gas 222rn en agua proveniente de las vertientes naturales del volcán Carihuairazo.

Abstract

A radon detection method has been established in water from the natural slopes of the Carihuairazo volcano, in order to estimate the concentration of radon activity (222Rn). The transfer rate of 222Rn at the water air interface was experimentally determined and the effective dose of life rate at ingestion and inhalation of 222Rn present in the water is calculated. The method used consisted monitoring the growth of activity concentration of the radon inside the closed chamber, by means of a radon detector in air. The experimental configuration used was characterized by determining the leak rate of the chamber, the bottom of the chamber and the determination of the radon bottom of the laboratory, as well as the temperature monitoring, since the concentration and diffusion of radon depends on the temperature gradient of water and air. The water is placed inside the chambers for about 42 hours, a time necessary for the radon to escape from de water by diffusing it into the air. Through a balance of the concentration in water and air and the concentration of the activity in time, it was possible to determine the concentration of the activity of 222Rn of the water at the initial time, that is, when the samples were taken from the springs. The transfer speed found was (1,07 ± 0,003) x 10-6 m/s. The springs present a concentration of activity of 222Rn between 570 and 1500 Bq/m3 (20%), which does not exceed the limits recommended by international regulatory organizations in the area of radioprotection. The methodology used is reliable to estimate the concentration of radon in water. It is recommended to continue with the analyzes of 222Rn in water coming from other places, where the population consumes water without any type of treatment.