Shallow circulation groundwater – the main type of water containing hazardous radon concentration

The main factors affecting the value of <sup>222</sup>Rn activity concentration in groundwater are the emanation coefficient of reservoir rocks (<i>K</i><sub>em</sub>), the content of parent <sup>226&am...

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Main Author: T. A. Przylibski
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Copernicus Publications 2011-06-01
Series:Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences
Online Access:http://www.nat-hazards-earth-syst-sci.net/11/1695/2011/nhess-11-1695-2011.pdf
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author T. A. Przylibski
author_facet T. A. Przylibski
author_sort T. A. Przylibski
collection DOAJ
description The main factors affecting the value of <sup>222</sup>Rn activity concentration in groundwater are the emanation coefficient of reservoir rocks (<i>K</i><sub>em</sub>), the content of parent <sup>226</sup>Ra in these rocks (<i>q</i>), changes in the volume and flow velocity as well as the mixing of various groundwater components in the circulation system. The highest values of <sup>222</sup>Rn activity concentration are recorded in groundwaters flowing towards an intake through strongly cracked reservoir rocks undergoing weathering processes. Because of these facts, waters with hazardous radon concentration levels, i.e. containing more than 100 Bq dm<sup>−3</sup> <sup>222</sup>Rn, could be characterised in the way that follows. They are classified as radon waters, high-radon waters and extreme-radon waters. They belong to shallow circulation systems (at less than a few dozen metres below ground level) and are contemporary infiltration waters, i.e. their underground flow time ranges from several fortnights to a few decades. Because of this, these are usually poorly mineralised waters (often below 0.2–0.5 g dm<sup>−3</sup>). Their resources are renewable, but also vulnerable to contamination. <br><br> Waters of this type are usually drawn from private intakes, supplying water to one or at most a few households. Due to an increased risk of developing lung tumours, radon should be removed from such waters when still in the intake. To achieve this aim, appropriate legislation should be introduced in many countries.
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spelling doaj.art-673096ba520240d7aa16e78a3658d7fe2022-12-22T03:16:45ZengCopernicus PublicationsNatural Hazards and Earth System Sciences1561-86331684-99812011-06-011161695170310.5194/nhess-11-1695-2011Shallow circulation groundwater – the main type of water containing hazardous radon concentrationT. A. PrzylibskiThe main factors affecting the value of <sup>222</sup>Rn activity concentration in groundwater are the emanation coefficient of reservoir rocks (<i>K</i><sub>em</sub>), the content of parent <sup>226</sup>Ra in these rocks (<i>q</i>), changes in the volume and flow velocity as well as the mixing of various groundwater components in the circulation system. The highest values of <sup>222</sup>Rn activity concentration are recorded in groundwaters flowing towards an intake through strongly cracked reservoir rocks undergoing weathering processes. Because of these facts, waters with hazardous radon concentration levels, i.e. containing more than 100 Bq dm<sup>−3</sup> <sup>222</sup>Rn, could be characterised in the way that follows. They are classified as radon waters, high-radon waters and extreme-radon waters. They belong to shallow circulation systems (at less than a few dozen metres below ground level) and are contemporary infiltration waters, i.e. their underground flow time ranges from several fortnights to a few decades. Because of this, these are usually poorly mineralised waters (often below 0.2–0.5 g dm<sup>−3</sup>). Their resources are renewable, but also vulnerable to contamination. <br><br> Waters of this type are usually drawn from private intakes, supplying water to one or at most a few households. Due to an increased risk of developing lung tumours, radon should be removed from such waters when still in the intake. To achieve this aim, appropriate legislation should be introduced in many countries.http://www.nat-hazards-earth-syst-sci.net/11/1695/2011/nhess-11-1695-2011.pdf
spellingShingle T. A. Przylibski
Shallow circulation groundwater – the main type of water containing hazardous radon concentration
Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences
title Shallow circulation groundwater – the main type of water containing hazardous radon concentration
title_full Shallow circulation groundwater – the main type of water containing hazardous radon concentration
title_fullStr Shallow circulation groundwater – the main type of water containing hazardous radon concentration
title_full_unstemmed Shallow circulation groundwater – the main type of water containing hazardous radon concentration
title_short Shallow circulation groundwater – the main type of water containing hazardous radon concentration
title_sort shallow circulation groundwater the main type of water containing hazardous radon concentration
url http://www.nat-hazards-earth-syst-sci.net/11/1695/2011/nhess-11-1695-2011.pdf
work_keys_str_mv AT taprzylibski shallowcirculationgroundwaterthemaintypeofwatercontaininghazardousradonconcentration