Rapid Measurements of 222Rn Concentrations in Water With a Commercial Liquid Scintillation Counter

Prichard, Howard M.; Gesell, T.F.

doi:10.1097/00004032-197712000-00008

Cited by 126 publications

(40 citation statements)

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“…A second possibility is interaction of the gas phase 222 Rn and daughters with the liquid scintillation cocktail. Prichard and Gesell (1977) assumed 25% of the gas phase radionuclides contributed to the observed count rate by interacting at the cocktail-air meniscus. Murase et al (1989) reported a counting efficiency of 42% for radon and its daughters in an empty LS vial as a result of air luminescence.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The magnitude of the aqueous-organic radon partition coefficient K is dependent on the base solvent used in the scintillation cocktail. Reported values range from 45 for toluene based scintillation cocktails (Prichard and Gesell 1977) to 23 for a high efficiency mineral oil (long chained aliphatic hydrocarbons and psuedocumene) cocktail (Lowery 1991). A value of 32 at approximately 20 ºC was measured in our laboratory for an 'environmentally friendly' scintillation cocktail based on diisoproplynaphthalene (Cantaloub et al 1997).…”

Section: Background and Theorymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Horrocks and Studier (1964) determined a radon Ostwald solubility coefficient of 32 for a toluene based liquid scintillator at -15 °C. As mentioned above, Prichard and Gesell (1977) cited, but did not measure, a radon Ostwald solubility value of 12.7 for radon in toluene and 0.255 for radon in water at 20 °C. Parks and Tsuboi (1978) determined a radon distribution coefficient for radon partitioning between a p-xylene based emulsion scintillator and air of 10.88 at 8 °C, and estimated a value of 18.87 for a toluene scintillator at 8 °C based on Horrock's and Studier's data.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…In their landmark article describing radon measurement by liquid scintillation methods (LSC), Prichard and Gesell (1977) refer to the ratio of the Ostwald coefficients for radon in toluene and radon in water as ranging from 50 to 52, and fairly constant. Parks (1979) also sites the ratio of Ostwald distribution coefficients for radon in various organic scintillators and radon in water as ranging between 30-50.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Development of Radon-222 as Natural Tracer for Monitoring the Remediation of NAPL in the Subsurface

Davis¹,

Semprini²,

Istok³

2003

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARYNaturally occurring 222-radon in ground water can potentially be used as an in situ partitioning tracer to characterize dense nonaqueous phase liquid (DNAPL) saturations. The static method involves comparing radon concentrations in water samples from DNAPL-contaminated and non-contaminated portions of an aquifer. During a push-pull test, a known volume of test solution (radon-free water containing a conservative tracer) is first injected ("pushed") into a well; flow is then reversed and the test solution/groundwater mixture is extracted ("pulled") from the same well. In the presence of NAPL radon transport is retarded relative to the conservative tracer. Assuming linear equilibrium partitioning, retardation factors for radon can be used to estimate NAPL saturations. The utility of this methodology was evaluated in laboratory and field settings. Laboratory push-pull tests were conducted in both non-contaminated and trichloroethene NAPL (TCE)-contaminated sediment packs before-and after alcohol cosolvent flushing and pump-and-treat remediation; field push-pull tests were conducted in wells located in non-contaminated and light non-aqueous phase liquid (LNAPL)-contaminated portions of an aquifer at a former petroleum refinery. The laboratory and field push-pull tests demonstrated that radon retardation does occur in the presence of TCE and LNAPL and that radon retardation can be used to calculate TCE saturations. However, nonequilibrium radon partitioning and heterogeneous TCE distributions may affect the retardation factors and TCE saturation estimates. Numerical simulations were used to further investigate the influence of 1) initial radon concentration, which varies as a function of NAPL saturation and 2) heterogeneity in NAPL saturation distribution within the radius of influence of the push-pull test.A method is described for determining the partition coefficient for radon in the presence of NAPL. The method uses sequential extractions of radon into equal volume aliquots of organic solvent. The radon-laden organic liquid is then counted on a liquid scintillation analyzer with alpha-beta separation. The high quench resistance and counting efficiency of alpha particles by liquid scintillation methods are ideal for counting a variety of aromatic, aliphatic, and cyclic organic solvent and scintillation cocktail mixtures. Accurate knowledge of the instrument counting efficiency, quench, and standard solution activity are not required. Replicate measurements of the aqueous-organic radon partition coefficient on benzene, toluene, o-xylene, n-hexane, cyclohexane, trichloroethene, and perchloroethene showed excellent agreement with theoretical radon partition coefficients derived from Ostwald solubility coefficients. The method was also used to determine the aqueous-organic radon partition coefficient for several commercial liquid scintillation solutions. 4 LITERATURE REVIEW CHLORINATED ALIPHATICS AND DNAPLsChlorinated solvents have seen prolific use in the industrialized world throughout the twentieth...

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Background and Theorymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Development of Radon-222 as Natural Tracer for Monitoring the Remediation of NAPL in the Subsurface

Davis¹,

Semprini²,

Istok³

2003

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“…(2b). The water samples and a Revigator water sample were analyzed using a liquid scintillation counter (LSC) (Packard Tri-Carb 2750TR, Ramsey, Mn, USA) for 222 Rn measurements [13]. The LSC also measured 222 Rn concentrations with a PM tube.…”

Section: Water Samplesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Groundwater Radon-222 Concentrations in Antelope Creek, Idaho:Measurement and Interpolation

Gokhale¹

2010

TOEBMJ

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Groundwater samples were collected from eight wells in remote Antelope Creek valley, Idaho. Seven out of eight locations showed that groundwater 222 Rn concentrations were much greater than 11 Bq/L (300 pCi/L), a maximum contaminant level (MCL) proposed by United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA).Rock and soil samples collected near the sampling wells revealed that 238 U contents were between 0.55 to 6.41 ppm. Minerals collected from different regions of the country with similar 238 U contents also showed high concentrations of 222 Rn in the groundwater. An interpretation technique using a Geographic Information System (GIS) software with available information also indicated a clear correlation between the rock types and 222 Rn concentrations in the groundwater.Several cancer rates near the study area reported to be higher than national average. Many factors can be affecting 222 Rn in the groundwater, what may these factors be in the study area and if the 222 Rn concentration is a contributing factor to certain high cancer rates in the area remain to be subjects of interest.

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Radon remediation studies in northern Virginia and southern Maryland

Mose

Mushrush

1992

Enviro Toxic and Chemistry

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A three year study of indoor radon in more than 1,000 homes in northern Virginia and southern Maryland was conducted by using three month‐exposure alpha‐track monitors In a study set of approximately 200 homes, first floor indoor radon concentrations, which most closely ap proximate home exposure levels, averaged slightly more than 3 pC1/L In a study set of approximately 100 homes, radon concentrations in the water supplies were < 10,000 pC1/L, and no evidence was found to indicate that the waterborne radon concentration was related to the airborne radon concentration In a study set of approximately 100 homes, subslab ventilation was used to reduce indoor radon concentrations Interest in remediation was related to public perception of radon hazard, in that people with indoor radon measurements of >4 pC1/L were more likely to participate in the reme diation phase of the project Subslab ventilation was successful in >90% of the homes in reducing indoor radon from concentrations as high as 30 pC1/L to <4 pC1/L, at least for the entire year of postremediation radon measurements

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Rapid Measurements of 222Rn Concentrations in Water With a Commercial Liquid Scintillation Counter

Abstract: A technique is described by which concentrations of 222Rn in water as low as 10 pCi/l can be determined by a 40-min count of a 10-ml sample. Preparation time is about 1 min/sample, and no special equipment is required other than access to a commercial liquid scintillation system.

Cited by 126 publications

References 0 publications

Development of Radon-222 as Natural Tracer for Monitoring the Remediation of NAPL in the Subsurface

Development of Radon-222 as Natural Tracer for Monitoring the Remediation of NAPL in the Subsurface

Groundwater Radon-222 Concentrations in Antelope Creek, Idaho:Measurement and Interpolation

Radon remediation studies in northern Virginia and southern Maryland

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