Sampling Interaquifer Connector Wells for Polonium-210: Implications for Gross-Alpha Analysis
TL;DRAbstract
Ground water in peninsular Florida commonly has gross-alpha radioactivity in excess of 15 pCi/L. This activity, which is unsupported by radium, results from 210Po. Comparison of polonium with gross-alpha activity in samples collected and preserved by present methods indicates that gross-alpha analyses are inconsistent and frequently underestimate total alpha activity. In interaquifer recharge wells, polonium decreases with depth owing to sorption and mixing with host water. Therefore, sampling depth affects polonium and gross-alpha activity determination. 210Po analysis is sensitive to sample collection, preservation, and preparation techniques. With few exceptions, sampler selection has little impact on polonium recovery. Bailers and air-lift samplers give unreliable polonium recovery. Sample preparation methods are critical to polonium recovery. Filtration and sample fixation must be in the field.
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Ground water in peninsular Florida commonly has gross-alpha radioactivity in excess of 15 pCi/L. This activity, which is unsupported by radium, results from 210Po. Comparison of polonium with gross-alpha activity in samples collected and preserved by present methods indicates that gross-alpha analyses are inconsistent and frequently underestimate total alpha activity. In interaquifer recharge wells, polonium decreases with depth owing to sorption and mixing with host water. Therefore, sampling depth affects polonium and gross-alpha activity determination. 210Po analysis is sensitive to sample collection, preservation, and preparation techniques. With few exceptions, sampler selection has little impact on polonium recovery. Bailers and air-lift samplers give unreliable polonium recovery. Sample preparation methods are critical to polonium recovery. Filtration and sample fixation must be in the field.
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