Abstract
The article shows the results of radioactive elements (U, Th) research in drinking water salt formationson the territory of Northern and Southern Kazakhstan. The results were obtained by inductively coupled plasma mass-spectrometry (ICP-MS) and instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) using the TPU IRT-T research nuclear reactor. The research of radioactive elements on the scale of drinking water is currently relevant. Uranium is of particular interest to the public because of its complex behavior in the natural water system. Large uranium deposits are located in the studied territories, which are being actively developed today. As a result of the research, it has been found out that the accumulation of uranium and thorium in salt formations of drinking water on the territory of Northern and Southern Kazakhstan is being formed mainly due to the peculiarities of the geological structure of the studied region, the Th/U ratio also confirms this fact. The increased content of thorium in the village of Saryagash in the Turkestan region is of interest, since the territory is the center of sanatorium treatment, and requires further more detailed study