Determination of uranium isotopes in ground water by alpha spectrometry and associated age-dependent ingestion dose.

This article focuses on the determination of uranium isotopes in groundwater from Mysuru district, Karnataka, India, to assess geochemical conditions and estimate the ingestion dose to the public from uranium intake via drinking water. Analysis of 13 groundwater samples using alpha spectrometry revealed uranium isotope activity concentrations within safe limits, with uranium concentrations ranging from 0.47 to 6.20 μg/L, well below national and international guidelines. The activity ratio (AR) of uranium isotopes ²³⁵U/²³⁸U averaged 0.047, indicating a natural uranium origin, while the ²³⁴U/²³⁸U AR showed disequilibrium attributed to alpha recoil effects. Estimated annual ingestion doses for different age groups ranged from 0.60 to 19.50 μSv/year, with infants receiving higher doses due to greater radiation sensitivity, but overall doses were comparable to other regions in India and considered safe for drinking water consumption.