The uranium isotopes in the characterisation of groundwater in the Thermi-Vasilika region, northern Greece^†

† Originally presented at the IAEA International Symposium on Isotope Hydrology: Revisiting Foundations and Exploring Frontiers, 11–15 May 2015, Vienna, Austria.

ABSTRACT

The activity concentrations of ²³⁸U and ²³⁴U have been determined in groundwater samples in the Thermi-Vasilika region, northern Greece. The analysis was performed by alpha spectrometry after pre-concentration and separation of uranium by cation exchange and finally its electrodeposition on stainless steel discs. The obtained isotopic ratio ²³⁴U/²³⁸U varies between 0.95 and 3.50 and is correlated with the different aquifer types and water flow paths in the study area. Lower values (up to 1.10) are located in the shallow porous aquifer indicating younger waters. Moderate values of the activity ratio characterise the deeper porous aquifer as well as the fissured rock aquifer (1.5–2.05). The geothermal spring illustrates the highest activity ratio (3.5) due to older water.

KEYWORDS:

• Age dating
• alpha spectrometry
• groundwater resources
• natural radioactivity
• ²³⁴U/²³⁸U activity ratio
• uranium-234
• uranium-238

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

ORCID

Nerantzis Kazakis http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0406-9561

Notes

† Originally presented at the IAEA International Symposium on Isotope Hydrology: Revisiting Foundations and Exploring Frontiers, 11–15 May 2015, Vienna, Austria.