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http://dx.doi.org/10.7857/JSGE.2013.18.3.082

Environmental Characteristics of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (238U, 222Rn) Concentration in Drinking Groundwaters of Metamorphic Rock Areas: Korea  

Ju, Byoung Kyu (Soil and Groundwater Division, National Institute of Environmental Research)
Kim, Moon Su (Soil and Groundwater Division, National Institute of Environmental Research)
Jeong, Do Hwan (Soil and Groundwater Division, National Institute of Environmental Research)
Hong, Jung Ki (Soil and Groundwater Division, National Institute of Environmental Research)
Kim, Dong Su (Soil and Groundwater Division, National Institute of Environmental Research)
Noh, Hoe Jung (Soil and Groundwater Division, National Institute of Environmental Research)
Yoon, Jeong Ki (Soil and Groundwater Division, National Institute of Environmental Research)
Kim, Tae Seung (Soil and Groundwater Division, National Institute of Environmental Research)
Publication Information
Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment / v.18, no.3, 2013 , pp. 82-92 More about this Journal
Abstract
This study has investigated naturally occurring radioactive materials (N.O.R.M; $^{238}U$, $^{222}Rn$) for 353 drinking groundwater wells in metamorphic rock areas in Korea. Uranium concentrations ranged from N.D (not detected) to 563.56 ${\mu}g/L$ (median value, 0.68 ${\mu}g/L$) and radon concentrations ranged from 108 to 11,612 pCi/L (median value, 1,400 pCi/L). Uranium and radon concentrations in the groundwater generally are similar to USA with similar geological setting. Uranium concentrations in 9 wells (2.6%) exceeded 30 ${\mu}g/L$, which is the maximum contaminant level (MCL) by the US environmental protection agency (EPA), radon concentrations in 46 wells (13%) exceeded 4,000 pCi/L, which is the Alternative MCL (AMCL) by the US.EPA. The log-log correlation coefficient between uranium and radon was 0.32. The correlation coefficient between uranium and pH was 0.12 and the correlation coefficient between radon and temperature was -0.01. The correlation coefficient between uranium and $HCO_3$ was 0.09 and the correlation coefficient between uranium and Ca was 0.11. The median value of uranium was high Chung-Buk (1.78 ${\mu}g/L$), Gyeong-Buk (1.37 ${\mu}g/L$), In-Cheon (1.06 ${\mu}g/L$) for each province. On the other hand, the median value of radon was high In-Cheon (2,962 pCi/L), Chung-Buk (2,339 pCi/L), Jeon-Buk (2,165 pCi/L) for each province. Jeon-Buk for log-log correlation coefficient is the highest (0.63) among provinces.
Keywords
NORM (Uranium, Radon); Metamorphic rock; Groundwater; Correlation coefficient; MCL and AMCL;
Citations & Related Records
Times Cited By KSCI : 4  (Citation Analysis)
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