Natural radioactive nuclides in some Tunisian thermo-mineral springs

Radioactivity in some Tunisian thermo-mineral springs (11 hot mineral springs and one cold spring) has been determined for the first time in Tunisia using radiochemical separation procedures. The obtained results show that 238U activity concentrations vary between 1.5 and about 43 mBq/l. The measured activities of 234U and 226Ra range from 1.1 to about 82.2 mBq/l and 34–3900 mBq/l, respectively. The radioactive disequilibria in these waters are in excess of concentration of 234U compared to that of 238U. The 226Ra/234U activity ratios are high and in the range of 9.0–691.0. U, Th and Ra activities are similar to those published for other non-polluted regions of the world. Radioactivity in the only cold mineral water from Aïn Oktor is very low, and thus health hazards due to the consumption of this water are not expected.