Elaboración de una metodología para la medición del fondo gamma en las fuentes termales del Ecuador

Abstract

The aim of this curricular integration work is the elaboration of a methodology for monitoring the gamma background in the thermal springs of Ecuador. For this purpose, 56 hot springs in the country were identified with the help of geographic information systems, the level of gamma background radiation of two hot springs was known, starting with the monitoring of the Licamancha hot spring, which is located at 2349 meters above sea level with an average water and environmental temperature of 22.5 °C and 15 °C, an average environmental humidity of 75%. The levels of gamma background radiation were estimated at two different heights of 20 cm and 100 cm, obtaining a dose rate of 1,207 and 1,074 mSv/year respectively. The Cunuyacu hot spring, located on the slopes of the southern Iliniza at an altitude of 4132 m above sea level, was then studied, obtaining an average water and ambient temperature of 31.3 and 13°C, an average ambient humidity of 78%, and the levels of gamma background radiation were identified as 1.792 and 1.6102 mSv/year at a height of 20 cm and 100 cm, these background gamma radiation values being below the limits established by international organisations. Likewise, the exposure rate of gamma background radiation was analysed in both hot springs at different heights, which are below the maximum limit established, which is 7.065E-05 C/Kg/year. It should be noted that the analysis time should be extended to 45 days in different seasons of the year, in addition to using equipment that allows measuring soil humidity, wind or snow.