Analysis of the causes of the abnormal increases in gross α and gross β activity concentrations in Nanbei Lake water
10.13491/j.issn.1004-714X.2026.01.004
- VernacularTitle:南北湖水中总α放射性和总β放射性异常升高现象的原因分析
- Author:
Xiang ZHANG
1
;
Xiaoqiong WU
1
;
Miaohua GE
1
;
Yanqian WU
2
;
Daming WU
1
;
Yikang WU
1
Author Information
1. Jiaxing Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jiaxing 314050, China.
2. Nanhu Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jiaxing 314050, China.
- Publication Type:OriginalArticles
- Keywords:
Gross α activity concentration;
Gross β activity concentration;
Nanbei Lake;
Sediment
- From:
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health
2026;35(1):18-22
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To investigate the causes of the abnormally elevated gross α and gross β activity concentrations in the water of Nanbei Lake located near the Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant. Methods Water and sediment samples were measured according to GB/T 5750.13-2023 Standard Examination Methods for Drinking Water. Results The gross α activity concentration in Nanbei Lake water was (0.135 ± 0.0108) Bq/L, and the gross β activity concentration was 0.345 ± 0.036 Bq/L, which were several times higher than those recorded during the same period in previous years. The spike recovery rates for Nanbei Lake water (gross α: 85.7% ± 4.7%; gross β: 101.8% ± 4.1%) showed no significant differences from those for tap water (gross α: 83.2% ± 3.6%; gross β: 105.1% ± 5.2%). Gross α activity concentration exhibited a positive correlation with sediment addition (r = 0.996), as did gross β activity concentration (r = 0.998). The gross α and gross β activity concentrations in sediments from Nanbei Lake were significantly higher than those in sediments from surrounding water bodies. The gross α (529 ± 41)Bq/L and gross β (927 ± 83)Bq/L activity concentrations in the residue retained on a 0.45 μm filter after filtering Nanbei Lake water were similar to those in the sediments of Nanbei Lake (gross α: (516 ± 35) Bq/L; gross β: (965 ± 68) Bq/L). Conclusion The elevated gross α and gross β activity concentrations in Nanbei Lake water could be attributed to dredging activities, which resuspended sediments into the water column, combined with the inherently high activity concentrations in the sediments.
