Analysis of the Energy Deposit in the Air by Radiation of Alpha Particles Emitted by the Water of a Spring Through the Geant4 Software

A.  Lima Flores; R.  Palomino-Merino; E.  Moreno-Barbosa; J. N.  Dominguez-Kondo; V. M.  Castano; A. C.  Chavarria Sanchez; J. I.  Golzarri; G.  Espinosa

doi:10.15415/jnp.2018.61010

Authors

A. Lima Flores Faculty of Physical Mathematical Sciences, Meritorious Autonomous University of Puebla (BUAP), San Claudio Avenue and 18th south street, Puebla 72570, Mexico
R. Palomino-Merino Faculty of Physical Mathematical Sciences, Meritorious Autonomous University of Puebla (BUAP), San Claudio Avenue and 18th south street, Puebla 72570, Mexico
E. Moreno-Barbosa Faculty of Physical Mathematical Sciences, Meritorious Autonomous University of Puebla (BUAP), San Claudio Avenue and 18th south street, Puebla 72570, Mexico
J. N. Dominguez-Kondo Faculty of Physical Mathematical Sciences, Meritorious Autonomous University of Puebla (BUAP), San Claudio Avenue and 18th south street, Puebla 72570, Mexico
V. M. Castano Center for Applied Physics and Advanced Technology, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Juriquilla Boulevard number 3001, 76230 Santiago De Querétaro, Querétaro, Mexico
A. C. Chavarria Sanchez Institute of Physics, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), 04520 Mexico City, Mexico
J. I. Golzarri Institute of Physics, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), 04520 Mexico City, Mexico
G. Espinosa Institute of Physics, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), 04520 Mexico City, Mexico

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15415/jnp.2018.61010

Keywords:

Radon 222 in spring water, radiological risk assessment, geant4 energy deposition

Abstract

This work presents the development of an analysis of the potential radiological risk generated by alpha particles emitted by radon-222, content in a spring water, for the population that usually swims in the place and for the people who live near this spring. This spring is located in the state of Puebla. Several measurements in the water of this place by researchers from IF-UNAM showed that it contains an average radon concentration level of 70 Bq/m3. To evaluate this radiological risk, it has been developed a computational simulation to know the area and the height where the alpha particles deposit their energy to the medium, as well as the amount of energy that they transfer. This simulation was developed in the Geant4 scientific software and the calculations were executed in the supercomputer of the Laboratorio Nacional de Supercomputo del Sureste de Mexico of the BUAP. The results show that the energy deposit occurs within the superficial limits of the spring, between 7 and 8 meters high. This deposited is not only by the alpha particles, but also by the secondary particles that are generated by the interaction of alpha particles with the environment. Based on these results, it is confirmed that there is no radiological risk by energy deposit by alpha particles for the people.

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