COMPARISON OF THE RADIO-ISOTOPIC COMPOSITION BETWEEN HOT SPRING WATER OF HAMMAM DEBAGH AND ITS ASSOCIATED DEPOSITS

Abstract

Abstract A radiological analysis of hot spring water of Hammam Debagh (also called Hammam Meskhoutine) and its associated deposits was realized. Hammam Debagh is considered to be the second hottest springs in the world with a temperature of 98°C and this lead to the creation of travertine. This later was formed because of limestone deposited by mineral springs in a rapid sedimentation of calcium, magnesium bicarbonates, and sulphides. The analysis showed that two-thirds of radioactivity was left by spring water in their deposits. The presence of uranium in the spring deposits was due to the property of the uranyl ion to form stable complexes with carbonates and precipitates. The radiation hazards indexes were estimated and compared with those given in literature.