Determination of 226Ra in produced water by liquid scintillation counting

Publication date: August 2016
Source:Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Volume 160
Author(s): José Marcus Godoy, Lucas M. Vianna, Maria Luiza D.P. Godoy, Ana Cristina Almeida
It is proposed a method for the determination of ²²⁶Ra in offshore platform liquid effluent samples (produced water). The method is based on a two-phase liquid scintillation counting system and allows for the direct and simple determination of ²²⁶Ra content. Samples with high barium content may also have high ²²⁶Ra concentration. Therefore, the sample volume is based on the barium concentration and ranges from 10 mL to 100 mL. Our new method was tested using multiple real samples and was compared with the BaSO4 precipitation method. The results based on the LSC were 30% higher than the precipitation method, which is attributed to the self-absorption of alpha particles in the BaSO4 precipitate. The determination of both ²²⁶Ra and ²²⁸Ra in the liquid effluent of offshore oil platforms is mandatory in Brazil. Thus, a second method of accurately assessing ²²⁸Ra content remains necessary.

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