238U and total radioactivity in drinking waters in Van province, Turkey

As part of the national survey to evaluate natural radioactivity in the environment, concentration levels of total radioactivity and natural uranium have been analysed in drinking water samples. A survey to study natural radioactivity in drinking waters was carried out in the Van province, East Turkey. Twenty-three samples of drinking water were collected in the Van province and analysed for total alpha, total beta and U-238 activity. The total alpha and total beta activities were counted by using the alpha/beta counter of the multi-detector low background system (PIC MPC-9604), and the U-238 concentrations were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (Thermo Scientific Element 2). The samples were categorised according to origin: tap, spring or mineral supply. The activity concentrations for total alpha were found to range from 0.002 to 0.030BqL(-1) and for total beta from 0.023 to 1.351BqL(-1). Uranium concentrations ranging from 0.562 to 14.710 mu gL(-1) were observed in drinking waters. Following the World Health Organisation rules, all investigated waters can be used as drinking water.