MEASUREMENTS OF RADIOACTIVITY IN AUSTRIAN WATERS

Abstract

Details are given of the method used for the determination and ; calculation of radioactivity in surface waters of Austria, and results are given ; of determinations in 1960 at 15 places that were chosen as being of importance ; for water supply. Determinations were made monthly, except in the Danube where ; they were fortnightly. With one exception the measured radioactivities were not ; much above the limit of sensitivity of the apparatus used and were similar to ; those found in surface waters of Germany and Switzerland. The exception was Lake ; Neusiedler, which has a relatively high content of potassium and showed ; considerably increased potassium and total activity, exceeding the permissible ; limit for water supply of 10 c/l for an unknown mixture of activities. ; Lake Neusiedler is not used for water supply, and further examination showed that ; alpha activity and the dangerous Sr⁹° and Cs¹³⁷ were present in ; amounts well below the permissible limits. Tests of plankton, water plants, ; small organisms, flesh and bones of fish, and sludge gave results similar to ; those in other Austrian waters, and no accumulation of radioisotopes could be ; found. (Public Health Eng. Abstr. 43: No. 4, April 1963);