Dataset: Radium in natural waters of Alaska

Sampling and Analytical Methodology:
Discrete seawater, groundwater, lake, and river water samples were collected from Kasitsna Bay and Toolik Lake in August 2011 and July 2012 and the Beaufort Sea August 2012. Groundwater samples were collected in all locations from freshly dug pits or temporary PVC well points of variable depth depending on the depth of the water table. All water samples were collected by submersible pump. Sample water was passed through a plastic column containing manganese dioxide impregnated acrylic fiber at a rate of <2 L/min for collection of Ra isotopes (Moore 2008). Samples were shipped to the University of California Santa Cruz for Analysis on a Radium Delayed Coincidence Counter (RaDeCC) for measurement of Ra-223 and Ra-224 activities within less than 5 days (Moore and Arnold 1996). The fibers were analyzed on the RadeCC again 3-5 weeks after collection to correct for Th-228 supported Ra-224, and one year after collection for Ra-228 (Moore 2008; Young et al. 2008). Standards were run on a monthly basis as part of the quality control for maintenance of the instrument and analytical errors calculated using established methods and were less than 10% (Garcia-Solsona et al. 2008).

Parameter names, definitions and units:
Latitude and longitude are in decimal degrees. Site refers to whether samples were collected on the Pacific Coast (Kastisna), Arctic Coast (Barrow), or tundra lake (Toolik). Activity of Ra-224, Ra-223, Th-228, and Ra-228 are in disintegrations per minute per 100L of water (dpm/100L).