Determination of the radioactivity levels in Hazar lake (Elazığ) water

IV SUMMARY Master Thesis DETERMINATION OF THE RADIOACTIVITY LEVELS IN HAZAR LAKE (ELAZI?) WATER* Fatih KÜLAHÇI Fırat University Graduate School of Natural and Applied Science Department of Physics 2000, Page: XIH + 86 In this study, the gross alpha and beta radioactivity levels versus depth of the Hazar Lake (Elazığ) were determined. The relationship between the determined gross alpha and beta radioactivity levels, the water pH, conductivity and the total hardness have also been studied. The collected water samples are firstly evaporated at low temperature and then the gross alpha and beta radioactivity counts from the sediments were made by using ZnS(Ag) solid and 2059 plastic scintillator detectors, respectively. These gross activity results have been evaluated according to the geologic evolution of the area, the depth of the lake, the seasonal changes and the water pH, hardness, the electrical conductivity effects on the living creatures in the lake and the radioactivity standards determined by international organisations. Using the radioactivity inputs, the iso-radioactivity curves of the lake have been identified. Keywords: Elazığ, Hazar Lake, Water, Radioactivity, Radiation. *This thesis is supported by TÜBİTAK (The contract number is YDABÇAG-569) and TÜBİTAK-BAYG.