Re: K-40 concentration in seawater

[EStill@golder.com (Erik Still)]

     According to Eisenbud's Environmental Radioactivity (3rd edition, pg. 
     149), "Seawater contains K-40 in a concentration of about 300 
     pCi/liter."  Also, "potassium-40 occurs to an extent of 0.01% in 
     natural potassium, thereby imparting a specific activity of 
     approximately 800 pCi/gram potassium."  According to my CRC Handbook, 
     seawater contains approximately 380 mg/L of potassium, which is 
     consistent with the Eisenbud text.
     
     Erik Still
     Senior Risk Analyst
     Golder Associates Inc.
     4104 148th Ave. NE
     Redmond, WA (USA) 98052
     estill@golder.com
     voice: (425) 883-0777
     fax:   (425) 882-5498
     http://www.golder.com
     
     
______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: K-40 concentration in seawater
Author:  radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu at internet 
Date:    11/18/97 10:08 AM
     
     
Does anybody have a quick value for the typical natural activity of K-40 in 
seawater?
     
thanks in advance
     
frazier bronson
fbronson@canberra.com