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Gross alpha and beta radiation in waters at a Wyoming mountain bog
Author(s) -
Sturges David L.,
Sundin Robert E.
Publication year - 1968
Publication title -
water resources research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.863
H-Index - 217
eISSN - 1944-7973
pISSN - 0043-1397
DOI - 10.1029/wr004i001p00159
Subject(s) - bog , hydrology (agriculture) , radionuclide , environmental science , snowmelt , vegetation (pathology) , litter , surface runoff , peat , ecology , geology , biology , medicine , physics , geotechnical engineering , pathology , quantum mechanics
Waters collected between July and October 1965 from four locations at a mountain bog were analyzed for radiologic content. The gross alpha and beta content of waters was less than 5 and 10 pc/liter, respectively. Gross beta activity of filterable solids in ground water collected above the bog reached 400 pc/gram when the water table was at a seasonal minimum, but on other dates and at bog and stream locations, the gross beta activity of filterable solids was less than 100 pc/gram. Radiation levels in waters from snow, overland flow, and stream sources were measured in May, June, or October 1965. Snow water activity was less than 25 pc/liter, but filterable solids had a maximum gross alpha and beta activity of 243 and 1348 pc/gram, respectively. Standing vegetation, litter, and moss on the bog surface screened radionuclides from snowmelt water. Radionuclide filtration on watersheds is significant from a public health standpoint.