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http://dx.doi.org/10.9720/kseg.2013.4.477

Characteristics of Occurrence and Distribution of Natural Radioactive Materials, Uranium and Radon in Groundwater of the Danyang Area  

Cho, Byong Wook (Groundwater Department, Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources)
Kim, Moon Su (Soil and Groundwater Research Division, National Institute of Environmental Research)
Kim, Tae Seung (Soil and Groundwater Research Division, National Institute of Environmental Research)
Yun, Uk (Groundwater Department, Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources)
Lee, Byeong Dae (Groundwater Department, Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources)
Hwang, Jae Hong (Geological Mapping Department, Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources)
Choo, Chang Oh (Dept. of Geology, Kyungpook National University)
Publication Information
The Journal of Engineering Geology / v.23, no.4, 2013 , pp. 477-491 More about this Journal
Abstract
Natural radionuclides in groundwater in the Danyang area were investigated to characterize the behaviors of uranium and radon with respect to lithology and physico-chemical components, which can aid our understanding of their occurrence, properties, and origins. To this end, a total of 100 groundwater samples were collected and analyzed, and radionuclide levels were used to construct detailed concentration maps. The water type of the groundwater, assessed using a Piper diagram, is mainly Ca-Na-$HCO_3$. The concentrations of uranium range from 0.02 to $251.0{\mu}g/L$ (average, $3.85{\mu}g/L$) and only 1% exceed USEPA's MCL (Maximum Contaminant Level). Uranium is enriched in groundwaters of Cretaceous granites and Precambrian metamorphic rocks, whereas it is depleted in groundwaters of sedimentary rocks. The concentrations of radon range from 13 to 28,470 pCi/L (average, 2397 pCi/L). Only 15% of the samples exceed AMCL (Alternative Maximum Contaminant Level) of 4000 pCi/L. The radon concentration is highest in groundwater of Cretaceous granites and lowest in groundwater of sedimentary rocks. In conclusion, the distribution and occurrence of radionuclides are intimately related to the basic geological characteristics of the rocks in which the radiogenic minerals are primarily contained. The behavior of uranium is only weakly related to that of radon (correlation coefficient = 0.15). There are also weak correlations between radionuclides and the main chemical components, pH, EC, Eh, and well depth. Of note, the correlation coefficient between radon and $SiO_2$ is 0.68, and that between radon and $HCO_3$ is -0.48. Factor analysis shows that radionuclides behave somewhat independently of each other because there are no significant factors that control the behavior of chemical components as well as radionuclides. The detailed concentration maps during this study will be used to establish useful database of radionuclide distribution and geological properties throughout Korea.
Keywords
Danyang area; groundwater; uranium; radon; factor analysis; detailed concentration maps;
Citations & Related Records
Times Cited By KSCI : 3  (Citation Analysis)
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