Radiation Hazards Investigation of Jooshan Hot Spring in Kerman Province

Hot spring water is used for health and medical treatment. Hot spring water, when passing underground rocks, is contaminated with radioactive materials and water soluble sinter. Therefore, using Hot springs is associated with radiation hazards. There are Thorium (Th), Potassium (K), Uranium (U) and Caesium (Cs) as radioactive elements in sinter, soil and water of hot springs.

First, the Th, K, U and Cs activity in the sinter, soil and water of Jooshan Hot Spring (30°09'38.7"N, 57°35'58.7"E) was measured by a CsI(Tl) detector. Then, using the radiation hazards equations, the amount of radiation hazards caused by radioactive elements in the sinter, soil, and Hot spring water was investigated.

The XRD results indicated that the sinter composite of Jooshan Hot Spring is a combination of CaCO3 and SiO2 materials. The activity of Th, U, K and Cs elements in the water, sinter, and soil of hot spring were 38.76 ,11.07 ,0 and 3.05; 45.8, 2.77 and 3.05 Bq/kg, and 26.42 ,34.0, 0 and 12.19 Bq/kg, respectively. The radiation hazards of Jooshan Hot Spring using the radiation hazards equations was calculated.

Due to the activity of Th, K, U, and Cs, the radiation injuries or hazards, including Daeq, Hin, and Hout for the sinter soil and water were calculated to be less than the reported limit. Therefore, using Jooshan Hot Spring has not any radiation hazards