Distribution of .sup.210Pb and .sup.210Po in ground water around uranium mineralized area of Jaduguda, Jharkhand, India

In present study, distribution of .sup.210Po and .sup.210Pb in ground water in uranium mineralized zone of Jaduguda in East Singhbhum region of Jharkhand state, India is evaluated. Activity concentration of .sup.210Po ranges from < 0.08 to 7.41 ± 0.90 mBq L.sup.-1 and activity concentration of .sup.210Pb was ranging from 0.76 ± 1.27 to 34.43 ± 3.89 mBq L.sup.-1. Comparable results were observed for the samples from upstream and downstream direction with respect to uranium mining and ore processing facilities at Jaduguda reflecting restriction of migration of radionuclides from facilities. Activity concentrations of .sup.210Pb and .sup.210Po observed were below the guidance value of WHO. Average ingestion doses from .sup.210Pb and .sup.210Po in groundwater were calculated to 1.91 ± 1.60 [micro]Sv year.sup.-1 and 5.75 ± 4.45 [micro]Sv year.sup.-1respectevely. .sup.210Po was observed to be decreasing with SO.sub.4.sup.2- in ground water indicating possible fixation of .sup.210Po with process involving formation of sulfates.