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Nam Y, Kim S, Shin J, Yi C, Jeong KS, Lee SK, Ko J, Lee J. Radon concentration and affecting environmental conditions in water-curtain heated cultivation facilities. Heliyon 2024; 10:e30563. [PMID: 38742076 PMCID: PMC11089361 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e30563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Farmers cultivate plants in the winter using water curtain cultivation (WCC) facilities by spraying groundwater to keep them warm. In this study, the WCC facilities exhibited high radon concentrations during winter. The risk varied significantly depending on the facility operation, peaking in the early morning and then decreasing upon ventilation. At all measurement sites, radon concentrations were low when groundwater was not used. Even during the period of facility groundwater use, if water vapor condensation does not occur, there is no significant difference from soil-only emissions. However, once water vapor condensation occurs, radon accumulates rapidly, depending on the degree of radon contamination in the groundwater. Because groundwater contamination varies according to dilution by regional rainfall or inflow from other regions due to groundwater movement, abnormal changes in radon content occur. We found that in the absence of water vapor condensation in the facility, all the radon emitted from the soil and groundwater quickly escaped to the atmosphere, resulting in significantly lower indoor radon concentrations. These findings pave the way for the development of new methods to mitigate radon in WCC facilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yelim Nam
- ARIM SCIENCE Inc., 918, 66, Daehwa-ro 106 Beon-gil, Daedeok-gu, Daejeon, 34365, Republic of Korea
| | - Sangin Kim
- ARIM SCIENCE Inc., 918, 66, Daehwa-ro 106 Beon-gil, Daedeok-gu, Daejeon, 34365, Republic of Korea
| | - Jihong Shin
- ARIM SCIENCE Inc., 918, 66, Daehwa-ro 106 Beon-gil, Daedeok-gu, Daejeon, 34365, Republic of Korea
| | - Chaewon Yi
- ARIM SCIENCE Inc., 918, 66, Daehwa-ro 106 Beon-gil, Daedeok-gu, Daejeon, 34365, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyoung Sook Jeong
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Wonju Severance Christian Hospital, Wonju College of Medicine, Yonsei University, 20, Ilsan-ro, Wonju, Gangwon-do, 26426, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Kyu Lee
- Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, 989-111, Daedeok-daero, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34057, Republic of Korea
| | - Jiyoung Ko
- Department of Physics and Research Institute of Natural Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, Republic of Korea
| | - Jongjin Lee
- Department of Physics and Research Institute of Natural Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52828, Republic of Korea
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Omirou M, Clouvas A, Leontaris F, Kaissas I. Risk assessment from radon in domestic water for the Greek population. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2024; 200:339-354. [PMID: 38148716 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncad309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
This study focused on assessing the risk from the exposure to radon contained in domestic water for a significant part (~20%) of the Greek population. Also, the variation of radon in domestic water was monitored from 2017 to 2023 in certain villages that showed relatively high radon levels and relied on boreholes for their water supply. The radon in domestic water activity concentrations measured in the investigated Greek places ranged from lower than the minimum detection limit (2 Bq L-1) levels up to 187 Bq L-1 with an average value of 9.1 Bq L-1. Overall, higher radon in domestic water activity concentrations were observed in places supplied from boreholes located inside granitic and metamorphic rock areas. Only one out of the 487 examined places, which accounts for 0.015% of the examined Greek population, showed an average radon-in-water activity concentration higher than the parametric value of 100 Bq L-1 adopted by Greece following the EURATOM Directive (2013/51/EURATOM). Therefore, radon-in-water does not pose a health concern (risk) for the investigated Greek population. The total (inhalation and ingestion) annual effective doses to adults, corresponding to the measured radon-in-water activity concentrations, ranged from nearly 0 to 1.20 mSv y-1 with an average value of 0.059 mSv y-1, while for children, they ranged from almost 0 to 1.26 mSv y-1 with an average value of 0.061 mSv y-1. Regarding the variation of radon in domestic water monitoring, places supplied with water from one borehole showed no significant fluctuations from their average radon-in-water activity concentration, with standard deviations of ~20% at a coverage factor of k = 1. Even though some places supplied from three to four boreholes showed no significant fluctuations (standard deviation <= 30% at k = 1) from their average radon level, special attention is needed for places supplied from many boreholes when one measurement over the year is to be performed for the annual effective dose assessment. This is because the prevailing during-year borehole combination may not exist on the measurement day, resulting in an underestimated or overestimated dose assessment. Radon removal from domestic water supplies in the Arnea village (due to elevated radon-in-water activity concentrations) did not affect the inhalation risk for the residents of an examined house in Arnea. However, radon removal from the water supply was essential to reduce the ingestion risk for the house occupants. There is a possibility of radiation overexposure (>20 mSv y-1) for the workers in a thermal spa on Ikaria Island, and further investigation needs to be conducted with extended measurement periods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michalakis Omirou
- Nuclear Technology Laboratory, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki GR-54124, Greece
| | - Alexandros Clouvas
- Nuclear Technology Laboratory, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki GR-54124, Greece
| | - Fokion Leontaris
- Nuclear Technology Laboratory, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki GR-54124, Greece
- German Aerospace Center (DLR), Institute for the Protection of Terrestrial Infrastructure, Sankt Augustin 53757, Germany
| | - Ioannis Kaissas
- Nuclear Technology Laboratory, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki GR-54124, Greece
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3
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Occurrence characteristics and influencing factors of uranium and radon in deep-buried thermal storage aquifers. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-021-08137-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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4
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Rezaie F, Panahi M, Lee J, Lee J, Kim S, Yoo J, Lee S. Radon potential mapping in Jangsu-gun, South Korea using probabilistic and deep learning algorithms. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 292:118385. [PMID: 34673157 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The adverse health effects associated with the inhalation and ingestion of naturally occurring radon gas produced during the uranium decay chain mean that there is a need to identify high-risk areas. This study detected radon-prone areas using a geographic information system (GIS)-based probabilistic and machine learning methods, including the frequency ratio (FR) model and a convolutional neural network (CNN). Ten influencing factors, namely elevation, slope, the topographic wetness index (TWI), valley depth, fault density, lithology, and the average soil copper (Cu), calcium oxide (Cao), ferric oxide (Fe2O3), and lead (Pb) concentrations, were analyzed. In total, 27 rock samples with high activity concentration index values were divided randomly into training and validation datasets (70:30 ratio) to train the models. Areas were categorized as very high, high, moderate, low, and very low radon areas. According to the models, approximately 40% of the study area was classified as very high or high risk. Finally, the radon potential maps were validated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) analysis. This showed that the CNN algorithm was superior to the FR method; for the former, AUC values of 0.844 and 0.840 were obtained using the training and validation datasets, respectively. However, both algorithms had high predictive power. Slope, lithology, and TWI were the best predictors of radon-affected areas. These results provide new information regarding the spatial distribution of radon, and could inform the development of new residential areas. Radon screening is important to reduce public exposure to high levels of naturally occurring radiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Rezaie
- Geoscience Platform Research Division, Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM), 124, Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34132, Republic of Korea; Department of Geophysical Exploration, Korea University of Science and Technology, 217, Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34113, Republic of Korea.
| | - Mahdi Panahi
- Division of Smart Regional Innovation, Kangwon National University, 1 Gangwondaehak-gil, Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do, 24341, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jongchun Lee
- Indoor Environment and Noise Research Division, Environmental Infrastructure Research Department, National Institute of Environmental Research, Seo-gu, Incheon, 22689, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jungsub Lee
- Indoor Environment and Noise Research Division, Environmental Infrastructure Research Department, National Institute of Environmental Research, Seo-gu, Incheon, 22689, Republic of Korea.
| | - Seonhong Kim
- Indoor Environment and Noise Research Division, Environmental Infrastructure Research Department, National Institute of Environmental Research, Seo-gu, Incheon, 22689, Republic of Korea.
| | - Juhee Yoo
- Indoor Environment and Noise Research Division, Environmental Infrastructure Research Department, National Institute of Environmental Research, Seo-gu, Incheon, 22689, Republic of Korea.
| | - Saro Lee
- Geoscience Platform Research Division, Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM), 124, Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34132, Republic of Korea; Department of Geophysical Exploration, Korea University of Science and Technology, 217, Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34113, Republic of Korea.
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5
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Ravikumar P, Naika K, Prakash KL, Somashekar RK. Quantification of radon concentration in groundwater around abandoned Gogi uranium mineralized zone, Yadagir district, Karnataka, India. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-021-07814-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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6
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Nazir S, Simnani S, Sahoo BK, Rashid I, Masood S. Dose estimation of radioactivity in groundwater of Srinagar City, Northwest Himalaya, employing fluorimetric and scintillation techniques. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2021; 43:837-854. [PMID: 32328895 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-020-00576-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The research is a maiden study aimed to assess the radioactivity in groundwater of Srinagar City using uranium and radon as proxies. In this study, 60 water samples were collected from various water sources that include bore wells, hand pumps and lakes of Srinagar City. Among them, 45 samples were taken from groundwater with depths ranging from 6 to - 126 m and the rest of the 15 samples were collected from surface sources like lakes, rivers and tap water. A gamma radiation survey of the area was carried out prior to collection of water samples, using a gamma radiation detector. A scintillation-based detector was utilized to measure radon, while as LED fluorimetry was employed to assess uranium in water samples. The average uranium concentration was found to be 2.63 μg L-1 with a maximum value of 15.28 μg L-1 which is less than the globally accepted permissible level of 30 µg L-1. 222Radon concentration varied from 0.2 to 38.5 Bq L-1 with an average value of 8.9 Bq L-1. The radon concentration in 19 groundwater samples (32% of total sites) exceeded the permissible limits of 11 Bq L-1 set by USEPA. This information could be of vital importance to health professionals in Kashmir who are researching on the incidence of lung cancers in the region given the fact that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancers after smoking worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salik Nazir
- Department of Physics, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, 190006, India
| | - Shakeel Simnani
- Department of Physics, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, 190006, India.
| | - B K Sahoo
- Radiation Safety Systems Division, Health Physics Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai, 400085, India
| | - Irfan Rashid
- Geoinformatics Program, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, 190006, India
| | - Sajad Masood
- Department of Physics, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, 190006, India
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7
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Adithya VSP, Chidambaram S, Prasanna MV, Venkatramanan S, Tirumalesh K, Thivya C, Thilagavathi R. Health Risk Implication and Spatial Distribution of Radon in Groundwater Along the Lithological Contact in South India. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2021; 80:308-318. [PMID: 33398396 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-020-00798-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The presence of radioactive elements in groundwater results in high health risks on surrounding populations. Hence, a study was conducted in central Tamil Nadu, South India, to measure the radon levels in groundwater and determine the associated health risk. The study was conducted along the lithological contact of hard rock and sedimentary formation. The concentrations of uranium (U) varied from 0.28 to 84.65 µg/L, and the radioactivity of radon (Rn) varied from 258 to 7072 Bq/m3 in the collected groundwater samples. The spatial distribution of Rn in the study area showed that higher values were identified along the central and northern regions of the study area. The data also indicate that granitic and gneissic rocks are the major contributors to Rn in groundwater through U-enriched lithological zones. The radon levels in all samples were below the maximum concentration level, prescribed by Environmental Protection Agency. The effective dose levels for ingestion and inhalation were calculated according to parameters introduced by UNSCEAR and were found to be lesser (0.235-6.453 μSvy-1) than the recommended limit. Hence, the regional groundwater in the study area does not pose any health risks to consumers. The spatial distribution of Rn's effective dose level indicates the higher values were mainly in the central and northern portion of the study area consist of gneissic, quarzitic, and granitic rocks. The present study showed that Rn concentrations in groundwater depend on the lithology, structural attributes, the existence of uranium minerals in rocks, and the redox conditions. The results of this study provide information on the spatial distribution of Rn in the groundwater and its potential health risk in central Tamil Nadu, India. It is anticipated that these data will help policymakers to develop plans for management of drinking water resources in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sabarathinam Chidambaram
- Department of Earth Sciences, Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu, Annamalai Nagar, India
- Water Research Centre, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - Mohan Viswanathan Prasanna
- Faculty of Engineering and Science, Department of Applied Geology, Curtin University Malaysia, CDT 250, 98009, Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | | | - Keesari Tirumalesh
- Isotope and Radiation Application Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, India
- Department of Chemistry, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, 400094, India
| | - Chandrasekar Thivya
- Department of Earth Sciences, Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu, Annamalai Nagar, India
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8
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Radon concentration and effective dose in drinking groundwater and its relationship with soil type. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-020-07424-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/07/2022]
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9
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Sharma DA, Keesari T, Rishi MS, Thakur N, Pant D, Sangwan P, Sahoo BK, Kishore N. Distribution and correlation of radon and uranium and associated hydrogeochemical processes in alluvial aquifers of northwest India. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 27:38901-38915. [PMID: 32638303 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-10015-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The spatial and vertical distributions of radon and uranium are evaluated in relation to the hydrogeology, geomorphology, and hydrochemistry of southwest Punjab. Radon activity of the groundwater ranges from 580 to 3633 Bq/m3 (shallow groundwater 580 to 2438 Bq/m3 and deep groundwater 964 to 3633 Bq/m3), and uranium concentration varies from 24.4 to 253 μg/L (shallow groundwater 24.4 to 253 μg/L and deep groundwater 27.6 to 76.3 μg/L). Shallow groundwater shows higher U concentration compared with deeper ones, which can be attributed to the presence of dissolved oxygen (DO) and NO3- as oxidants and HCO3- as stabilizing agent in shallow zone. Unlike uranium, the radon activities were found to be similar in both shallow and deep groundwater. Rnexcess over secular equilibrium was used to confirm the possibility of additional sources of radon, such as secondary minerals present in the subsurface. Surface manifestations show significant influence on radon and uranium distributions in the shallow zone but not in deep zone due to limited hydraulic connectivity. Depth profiles and correlations of radon and uranium with trace elements and hydrochemical parameters indicate that groundwater exhibits different redox characteristics in shallow (younger and oxidizing) and deep zones (older and reducing). The present study provides critical information that can be helpful for planning sustainable groundwater development in this region and other similar regions without contaminating the relatively safer deep aquifers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana A Sharma
- Department of Environment Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
- Isotope Hydrology Section, Isotope and Radiation Application Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai, 400085, India
| | - Tirumalesh Keesari
- Isotope Hydrology Section, Isotope and Radiation Application Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai, 400085, India.
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai, India.
| | - Madhuri S Rishi
- Department of Environment Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Nandini Thakur
- Department of Environment Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Diksha Pant
- Isotope Hydrology Section, Isotope and Radiation Application Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai, 400085, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai, India
| | - Priyanka Sangwan
- Department of Environment Studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Bijay K Sahoo
- Radiological Physics and Advisory Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai, India
| | - Naval Kishore
- Department of Geology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
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10
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Identifying indoor radon sources in Pa Miang, Chiang Mai, Thailand. Sci Rep 2020; 10:17723. [PMID: 33082391 PMCID: PMC7576592 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-74721-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Radon is the leading source of lung cancer mortality after smoking in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Finding a source of carcinogens is one of the important measures for preventing the cancer risk for this region. Specific sites at Pa Miang, Doi Saket have the highest incidences of lung cancer and have a combination of factors that influence indoor radon concentration. Our study identified the sources of indoor radon within several houses. The results indicate that geological and topographic characteristics, including active faults and mountain terraces, are the main sources of indoor radon, especially for wooden houses. Besides building materials, the design of the houses, ventilation conditions, and lifestyle choices are all factors influencing indoor radon concentrations and its associated risk. Although radon levels (29–101 Bq m−3) and total indoor annual effective doses (0.9–3.8 mSv year−1) received from all sources at these sites have shown no significant health risk due to radon exposure , this investigation will be useful as a starting point to guide strategies to respond and prevent the risk of lung cancer, especially in Chiang Mai.
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11
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Annual effective dose associated with radon, gross alpha and gross beta radioactivity in drinking water from gold mining areas of Shanono and Bagwai, Kano state, Nigeria. Microchem J 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2019.104551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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12
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Martins LMO, Pereira AJSC, Oliveira AS, Fernandes LFS, Pacheco FAL. A new radon prediction approach for an assessment of radiological potential in drinking water. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 712:136427. [PMID: 31935548 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.136427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 12/28/2019] [Accepted: 12/29/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Inhaled radon from groundwater used for domestic purposes is one of the sources of natural radioactivity into indoor air. Due to uranium-bearing minerals occurrences, hydrogeochemical conditions, tectonic structures, and hydraulic circuits, the radon pathway from rocks to groundwater is quite unpredictable. High radon potential from bedrocks is not always associated with high radon levels in groundwater. Besides, inhaled radon from domestic use may also increase the exposure toindoor radon levels. This innovative methodology using hydrogeochemical conditions and groundwater flow transport was used for radon predictions in the underground to ensure safe drinking water ingestion and inhalation. This innovative radon prediction methodology is based on classic hydrogeochemical analyses (Eh-pH, Piper, Schöeller and Gibb's diagrams) and multivariate statistical analyses (Principal Component Analysis and Pearson's correlation). High dissolution of major ions does not imply high radon mobilization from rocks to groundwater. The travel time was estimated to developed a flow transport of contaminated groundwater. Radiological results show that of the 25 sampled springs, five of them contained radon concentrations above the Portuguese imposed limit (222Rn = 500 Bq·L-1), and 16 of them with values above the WHO recommended limit (222Rn = 100 Bq·L-1). Overall, this new approach of radon prediction showed that uranium enrichment in rocks at ideal hydrochemical conditions and emanation coefficient, and shallow circuits, are responsible for radon increasing in drinking water. The proposed approach allow to predict the areas with high radon potential groundwaters, being a tool to be used by water planners and policy makers for corrective and preventive measures in shallow groundwater flows. To safeguard clean water within the predefined deadline of Sustainable Development Goals (2030) and to ensure human health in compliance with WHO guidelines for safe drinking water, should be established priority water protection policies to reduced radon in this contaminated springs (n = 16).
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Affiliation(s)
- L M O Martins
- Department of Geology, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Ap. 1013, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal; Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environment and Biological Science, Vila Real, Portugal.
| | - A J S C Pereira
- Department of Earth Sciences, Centre for Earth and Space Research, Rua Sílvio Lima, Polo II, Coimbra University, 3004-531 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - A Sousa Oliveira
- Department of Geology, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Ap. 1013, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal; Geosciences Centre, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - L F Sanches Fernandes
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environment and Biological Science, Vila Real, Portugal; Department of Civil Engineering, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Ap. 1013, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - F A L Pacheco
- Department of Geology, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Ap. 1013, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal; Chemistry Research Centre, Vila Real, Portugal
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13
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Cho BW, Kim HK, Kim MS, Hwang JH, Yoon U, Cho SY, Choo CO. Radon concentrations in the community groundwater system of South Korea. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2019; 191:189. [PMID: 30806813 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-019-7301-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2018] [Accepted: 02/07/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Groundwater samples were collected from 3818 wells used for the community groundwater system (CGS) in the remote rural areas of South Korea and analyzed to determine radon concentrations. Radon concentrations varied with rock type, ranging from 0.1 to 2393.5 Bq/L with an average of 86.6 Bq/L and a median of 46.4 Bq/L. Among 10 geological units, the median CGS radon concentration was highest (59.6-103.0 Bq/L) in granite, and lower in sedimentary rocks (16.9-21.1 Bq/L) and porous volcanic rocks (17.6 Bq/L), respectively. Of the 3818 samples, 26.1% exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO) radon level limit of 100 Bq/L. The application of the natural radon reduction rate (26.5%) recently suggested by Yun et al. Applied Radiation and Isotopes, 126(1), 23-25 (2017) to the CGS water tank appeared to decrease exceedance of the WHO radon level limit to 20.2%. Because of the high radon concentrations in CGS groundwater in South Korea, the establishment of a radon level limit for drinking water is strongly recommended to ensure the health and safety of the people using CGS water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Byong Wook Cho
- Korea Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources (KIGAM), 124, Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Hyeon Koo Kim
- National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER), Hwangyong-ro 42, Seogu, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Moon Su Kim
- National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER), Hwangyong-ro 42, Seogu, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Jae Hong Hwang
- Korea Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources (KIGAM), 124, Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Uk Yoon
- Korea Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources (KIGAM), 124, Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Soo Young Cho
- Korea Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources (KIGAM), 124, Gwahak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Chang Oh Choo
- Department of Geology, Kyungpook National University, 80, Daehak-ro, Bukgu, Daegu, South Korea.
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14
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Multivariate and Spatial Analysis of Physicochemical Parameters in an Irrigation District, Chihuahua, Mexico. WATER 2018. [DOI: 10.3390/w10081037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Water quality is relevant due to the complexity of the interaction of physicochemical and biological parameters. The Irrigation District 005 (ID005) is one of the most important agricultural region in Chihuahua, México; for that reason, it was proposed to investigate the water quality of the site. Water samples were collected in two periods: Summer (S1) and Fall (S2). The samples were taken from 65 wells in S1, and 54 wells in S2. Physicochemical parameters (PhP) such as Arsenic (As), Temperature, Electrical Conductivity (EC), Oxide Reduction Potential (ORP), Hardness, pH, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), and Turbidity were analyzed. The data were subjected to statistical principal component analysis (PCA), cluster analysis (CA) and spatial variability tests. In both seasons, the TDS exceeded the Mexican maximum permissible level (MPL) (35% S1, 39% S2). Turbidity exceeded the MPL in S1 (29%) and in S2 (12%). Arsenic was above the MPL for water of agricultural use in 9% (S1) and 13% (S2) of the wells. The PCA results suggested that most variations in water quality in S1 were due to As, pH and Temperature, followed by EC, TDS and Hardness; while in S2 to EC, TDS and Hardness, followed by As and pH.
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15
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Use of the Sorben-Tec system for rapid dosimetric evaluation of 222Rn level in drinking water. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-018-6038-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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16
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Smith L, Voutchkov M. Assessment of Radon Levels in Drinking Water Wells in St. Catherine, Jamaica. J Health Pollut 2017; 7:31-37. [PMID: 30524838 PMCID: PMC6221450 DOI: 10.5696/2156-9614-7.16.31] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2017] [Accepted: 10/23/2017] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Radon is a known carcinogen and contaminant in drinking water wells, but is not monitored in drinking water quality programs in Jamaica. OBJECTIVE The present study was conducted to obtain radon data in local drinking water and evaluate potential health risks. The data will contribute to determining the level of compliance to public health criteria for radon and to develop a monitoring program based on the identified risks. METHODS This study assesses the concentration of radon in 22 drinking water wells in the parish of St. Catherine, Jamaica. Samples were collected for radon, with 12 other measurements gathered including pH, conductivity, TDS, alkalinity, hardness, phosphates, nitrates, chloride, sulfates, turbidity, well depth and geological features. The data were analyzed for compliance to international limits and association with geological and other parameters. RESULTS The average radon level was 18 Bq/L ± 2 Bq/L and varied from a low of 11 Bq/L ± 1 Bq/L to a high of 41 Bq/L ± 1 Bq/L. There was a positive correlation between radon levels and both alkalinity and turbidity. No relationship of any significance, however, was identified with the other physicochemical parameters. All the study results fell within the European Union (EU) limit of 100 Bq/L, and well within the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) limit of 147 Bq/L. Most of the wells in this parish have radon levels exceeding the proposed USEPA limit of 11 Bq/L. The proposed limits are intended to support radon mitigation programs to manage radon in air. No limits are provided in the newest edition of the World Health Organization's (WHO) Guidelines for Safe Drinking Water Quality. CONCLUSIONS Most wells in the study area met existing international limits. Almost all, however, did not meet the proposed USEPA limit for locations without radon mitigation programs. This indicates the need to establish national screening levels for radon, consistent with WHO and USEPA recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonard Smith
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology, The University of the West Indies at Mona, Kingston, Jamaica
| | - Mitko Voutchkov
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology, The University of the West Indies at Mona, Kingston, Jamaica
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Jobbágy V, Altzitzoglou T, Malo P, Tanner V, Hult M. A brief overview on radon measurements in drinking water. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2017; 173:18-24. [PMID: 27745714 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2016.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2016] [Revised: 09/30/2016] [Accepted: 09/30/2016] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to present information about currently used standard and routine methods for radon analysis in drinking waters. An overview is given about the current situation and the performance of different measurement methods based on literature data. The following parameters are compared and discussed: initial sample volume and sample preparation, detection systems, minimum detectable activity, counting efficiency, interferences, measurement uncertainty, sample capacity and overall turnaround time. Moreover, the parametric levels for radon in drinking water from the different legislations and directives/guidelines on radon are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktor Jobbágy
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (JRC-Geel), Retieseweg 111, B-2440 Geel, Belgium.
| | - Timotheos Altzitzoglou
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (JRC-Geel), Retieseweg 111, B-2440 Geel, Belgium.
| | - Petya Malo
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (JRC-Geel), Retieseweg 111, B-2440 Geel, Belgium.
| | - Vesa Tanner
- European Commission, Directorate-General for Energy, Euroforum Building, 10, Rue Robert Stumper, L-2557, Luxembourg.
| | - Mikael Hult
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (JRC-Geel), Retieseweg 111, B-2440 Geel, Belgium.
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Atkins ML, Santos IR, Perkins A, Maher DT. Dissolved radon and uranium in groundwater in a potential coal seam gas development region (Richmond River Catchment, Australia). JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2016; 154:83-92. [PMID: 26867097 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2016.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2015] [Revised: 01/20/2016] [Accepted: 01/24/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The extraction of unconventional gas resources such as shale and coal seam gas (CSG) is rapidly expanding globally and often prevents the opportunity for comprehensive baseline groundwater investigations prior to drilling. Unconventional gas extraction often targets geological layers with high naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) and extraction practices may possibly mobilise radionuclides into regional and local drinking water resources. Here, we establish baseline groundwater radon and uranium levels in shallow aquifers overlying a potential CSG target formation in the Richmond River Catchment, Australia. A total of 91 groundwater samples from six different geological units showed highly variable radon activities (0.14-20.33 Bq/L) and uranium levels (0.001-2.77 μg/L) which were well below the Australian Drinking Water Guideline values (radon; 100 Bq/L and uranium; 17 μg/L). Therefore, from a radon and uranium perspective, the regional groundwater does not pose health risks to consumers. Uranium could not explain the distribution of radon in groundwater. Relatively high radon activities (7.88 ± 0.83 Bq/L) in the fractured Lismore Basalt aquifer coincided with very low uranium concentrations (0.04 ± 0.02 μg/L). In the Quaternary Sediments aquifers, a positive correlation between U and HCO3(-) (r(2) = 0.49, p < 0.01) implied the uranium was present as uranyl-carbonate complexes. Since NORM are often enriched in target geological formations containing unconventional gas, establishing radon and uranium concentrations in overlying aquifers comprises an important component of baseline groundwater investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marnie L Atkins
- School of Environmental Science and Management, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW, 2480, Australia; National Marine Science Centre, School of Environment, Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW, 2480, Australia.
| | - Isaac R Santos
- School of Environmental Science and Management, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW, 2480, Australia; National Marine Science Centre, School of Environment, Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW, 2480, Australia
| | - Anita Perkins
- School of Environmental Science and Management, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW, 2480, Australia; National Marine Science Centre, School of Environment, Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW, 2480, Australia
| | - Damien T Maher
- School of Environmental Science and Management, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW, 2480, Australia
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19
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Earon R, Dehkordi SE, Olofsson B. Groundwater Resources Potential in Hard Rock Terrain: A Multivariate Approach. GROUND WATER 2015; 53:748-758. [PMID: 25214009 DOI: 10.1111/gwat.12265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2014] [Accepted: 07/21/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Groundwater resources are limited and difficult to predict in crystalline bedrock due to heterogeneity and anisotropy in rock fracture systems. Municipal-level governments often lack the resources for traditional hydrogeological tests when planning for sustainable use of water resources. A new methodology for assessing groundwater resources potential (GRP) based on geological and topographical factors using principal component analysis (PCA) and analysis of variance (ANOVA) was developed and tested. ANOVA results demonstrated statistically significant differences in classed variable groups as well as in classed GRP scores with regard to hydrogeological indicators, such as specific capacity (SC) and transmissivity. Results of PCA were used to govern the weight of the variables used in the prediction maps. GRP scores were able to identify 79% of wells in a verification dataset, which had SC values less than the total dataset median. GRP values showed statistically significant correlations using both parametric (using transformed datasets) and non-parametric methods. The method shows promise for municipal or regional level planning in crystalline terrains with high levels of heterogeneity and anisotropy as a hydrogeologically and statistically based tool to assist in assessing groundwater resources. The methodology is executed in a geographic information systems environment, and uses often readily available data, such as geological maps, feature maps and topography, and thus does not require expensive and time-consuming aquifer tests.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - S Emad Dehkordi
- Division of Land and Water Resources Engineering, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Teknikringen 76, 100 44, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Bo Olofsson
- Division of Land and Water Resources Engineering, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Teknikringen 76, 100 44, Stockholm, Sweden
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20
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Messier KP, Campbell T, Bradley PJ, Serre ML. Estimation of Groundwater Radon in North Carolina Using Land Use Regression and Bayesian Maximum Entropy. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2015; 49:9817-9825. [PMID: 26191968 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.5b01503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Radon ((222)Rn) is a naturally occurring chemically inert, colorless, and odorless radioactive gas produced from the decay of uranium ((238)U), which is ubiquitous in rocks and soils worldwide. Exposure to (222)Rn is likely the second leading cause of lung cancer after cigarette smoking via inhalation; however, exposure through untreated groundwater is also a contributing factor to both inhalation and ingestion routes. A land use regression (LUR) model for groundwater (222)Rn with anisotropic geological and (238)U based explanatory variables is developed, which helps elucidate the factors contributing to elevated (222)Rn across North Carolina. The LUR is also integrated into the Bayesian Maximum Entropy (BME) geostatistical framework to increase accuracy and produce a point-level LUR-BME model of groundwater (222)Rn across North Carolina including prediction uncertainty. The LUR-BME model of groundwater (222)Rn results in a leave-one out cross-validation r(2) of 0.46 (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.68), effectively predicting within the spatial covariance range. Modeled results of (222)Rn concentrations show variability among intrusive felsic geological formations likely due to average bedrock (238)U defined on the basis of overlying stream-sediment (238)U concentrations that is a widely distributed consistently analyzed point-source data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle P Messier
- †Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Ted Campbell
- ‡Division of Water Resources, North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, 2090 U.S. 70 Highway, Swannanoa, North Carolina 28778, United States
| | - Philip J Bradley
- §North Carolina Geological Survey, Division of Energy, Mineral, and Land Resources - North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, 1612 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina 27699, United States
| | - Marc L Serre
- †Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
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21
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Ouyang Y, Zhang JE, Cui L. Estimating impacts of land use on groundwater quality using trilinear analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2014; 186:5353-5362. [PMID: 24802588 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-014-3784-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2013] [Accepted: 04/27/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Groundwater is connected to the landscape above and is thus affected by the overlaying land uses. This study evaluated the impacts of land uses upon groundwater quality using trilinear analysis. Trilinear analysis is a display of experimental data in a triangular graph. Groundwater quality data collected from agricultural, septic tank, forest, and wastewater land uses for a 6-year period were used for the analysis. Results showed that among the three nitrogen species (i.e., nitrate and nitrite (NO(x)), dissolved organic nitrogen (DON), and total organic nitrogen (TON)), NO(x) had a high percentage and was a dominant species in the groundwater beneath the septic tank lands, whereas TON was a major species in groundwater beneath the forest lands. Among the three phosphorus species, namely the particulate phosphorus (PP), dissolved ortho phosphorus (PO4(3-)) and dissolved organic phosphorus (DOP), there was a high percentage of PP in the groundwater beneath the septic tank, forest, and agricultural lands. In general, Ca was a dominant cation in the groundwater beneath the septic tank lands, whereas Na was a dominant cation in the groundwater beneath the forest lands. For the three major anions (i.e., F(-), Cl(-), and SO4(2-)), F(-) accounted for <1% of the total anions in the groundwater beneath the forest, wastewater, and agricultural lands. Impacts of land uses on groundwater Cd and Cr distributions were not profound. This study suggests that trilinear analysis is a useful technique to characterize the relationship between land use and groundwater quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Ouyang
- USDA Forest Service, Center for Bottomland Hardwoods Research, 100 Stone Blvd., Thompson Hall, Room 309, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, USA,
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22
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Yang Q, Smitherman P, Hess CT, Culbertson CW, Marvinney RG, Smith AE, Zheng Y. Uranium and radon in private bedrock well water in Maine: geospatial analysis at two scales. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2014; 48:4298-4306. [PMID: 24655434 PMCID: PMC3993615 DOI: 10.1021/es405020k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2013] [Revised: 03/20/2014] [Accepted: 03/21/2014] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
In greater Augusta of central Maine, 53 out of 1093 (4.8%) private bedrock well water samples from 1534 km(2) contained [U] >30 μg/L, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for drinking water; and 226 out of 786 (29%) samples from 1135 km(2) showed [Rn] >4,000 pCi/L (148 Bq/L), the U.S. EPA's Alternative MCL. Groundwater pH, calcite dissolution and redox condition are factors controlling the distribution of groundwater U but not Rn due to their divergent chemical and hydrological properties. Groundwater U is associated with incompatible elements (S, As, Mo, F, and Cs) in water samples within granitic intrusions. Elevated [U] and [Rn] are located within 5-10 km distance of granitic intrusions but do not show correlations with metamorphism at intermediate scales (10(0)-10(1) km). This spatial association is confirmed by a high-density sampling (n = 331, 5-40 samples per km(2)) at local scales (≤10(-1) km) and the statewide sampling (n = 5857, 1 sample per 16 km(2)) at regional scales (10(2)-10(3) km). Wells located within 5 km of granitic intrusions are at risk of containing high levels of [U] and [Rn]. Approximately 48 800-63 900 and 324 000 people in Maine are estimated at risk of exposure to U (>30 μg/L) and Rn (>4000 pCi/L) in well water, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Yang
- Columbia
University, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, 61 route 9W, Palisades, New York 10964, United States
- City
University of New York, Graduate Center
and Queens College, 65-30
Kissena Blvd., Flushing, New York 11367, United
States
| | - Paul Smitherman
- University
of Maine, Department of Physics and Astronomy, 120 Bennett Hall, Orono, Maine 04469, United States
| | - C. T. Hess
- University
of Maine, Department of Physics and Astronomy, 120 Bennett Hall, Orono, Maine 04469, United States
| | - Charles W. Culbertson
- U.S. Geological
Survey, Maine Water Science Center, 196 Whitten Road, Augusta, Maine, 04330, United
States
| | - Robert G. Marvinney
- Maine Geological
Survey, 93 State House Station, Augusta, Maine, 04333, United States
| | - Andrew E. Smith
- Maine Center for Disease
Control and Prevention, 286 Water Street,
State House Station 11, Augusta, Maine 04333, United
States
| | - Yan Zheng
- Columbia
University, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, 61 route 9W, Palisades, New York 10964, United States
- City
University of New York, Graduate Center
and Queens College, 65-30
Kissena Blvd., Flushing, New York 11367, United
States
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23
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Drolet JP, Martel R, Poulin P, Dessau JC. Methodology developed to make the Quebec indoor radon potential map. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2014; 473-474:372-380. [PMID: 24378928 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.12.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2013] [Revised: 12/06/2013] [Accepted: 12/09/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
This paper presents a relevant approach to predict the indoor radon potential based on the combination of the radiogeochemical data and the indoor radon measurements in the Quebec province territory (Canada). The Quebec ministry of health asked for such a map to identify the radon-prone areas to manage the risk for the population related to indoor radon exposure. Three radiogeochemical criteria including (1) equivalent uranium (eU) concentration from airborne surface gamma-ray surveys, (2) uranium concentration measurements in sediments, (3) bedrock and surficial geology were combined with 3082 basement radon concentration measurements to identify the radon-prone areas. It was shown that it is possible to determine thresholds for the three criteria that implied statistically significant different levels of radon potential using Kruskal-Wallis one way analyses of variance by ranks. The three discretized radiogeochemical datasets were combined into a total predicted radon potential that sampled 98% of the studied area. The combination process was also based on Kruskal-Wallis one way ANOVA. Four statistically significant different predicted radon potential levels were created: low, medium, high and very high. Respectively 10 and 13% of the dwellings exceed the Canadian radon guideline of 200 Bq/m(3) in low and medium predicted radon potentials. These proportions rise up to 22 and 45% respectively for high and very high predicted radon potentials. This predictive map of indoor radon potential based on the radiogeochemical data was validated using a map of confirmed radon exposure in homes based on the basement radon measurements. It was shown that the map of predicted radon potential based on the radiogeochemical data was reliable to identify radon-prone areas even in zones where no indoor radon measurement exists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Philippe Drolet
- Institut national de la recherche scientifique, Eau Terre Environnement Research Centre (ETE-INRS), 490 de la Couronne, G1K 9A9 Quebec, Canada.
| | - Richard Martel
- Institut national de la recherche scientifique, Eau Terre Environnement Research Centre (ETE-INRS), 490 de la Couronne, G1K 9A9 Quebec, Canada
| | - Patrick Poulin
- Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ), 945 avenue Wolfe, G1V 5B3 Quebec, Canada
| | - Jean-Claude Dessau
- Agence de la santé et des services sociaux des Laurentides, 1000 rue Labelle, J7Z 5 N6 Saint-Jérome, Canada
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Kalantari Z, Nickman A, Lyon SW, Olofsson B, Folkeson L. A method for mapping flood hazard along roads. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2014; 133:69-77. [PMID: 24361730 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2013.11.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2013] [Revised: 11/13/2013] [Accepted: 11/20/2013] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
A method was developed for estimating and mapping flood hazard probability along roads using road and catchment characteristics as physical catchment descriptors (PCDs). The method uses a Geographic Information System (GIS) to derive candidate PCDs and then identifies those PCDs that significantly predict road flooding using a statistical modelling approach. The method thus allows flood hazards to be estimated and also provides insights into the relative roles of landscape characteristics in determining road-related flood hazards. The method was applied to an area in western Sweden where severe road flooding had occurred during an intense rain event as a case study to demonstrate its utility. The results suggest that for this case study area three categories of PCDs are useful for prediction of critical spots prone to flooding along roads: i) topography, ii) soil type, and iii) land use. The main drivers among the PCDs considered were a topographical wetness index, road density in the catchment, soil properties in the catchment (mainly the amount of gravel substrate) and local channel slope at the site of a road-stream intersection. These can be proposed as strong indicators for predicting the flood probability in ungauged river basins in this region, but some care is needed in generalising the case study results other potential factors are also likely to influence the flood hazard probability. Overall, the method proposed represents a straightforward and consistent way to estimate flooding hazards to inform both the planning of future roadways and the maintenance of existing roadways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Kalantari
- Department of Land and Water Resources, Royal Institute of Technology/KTH, SE-10044 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Alireza Nickman
- Department of Land and Water Resources, Royal Institute of Technology/KTH, SE-10044 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Steve W Lyon
- Department of Physical Geography and Quaternary Geology, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Bo Olofsson
- Department of Land and Water Resources, Royal Institute of Technology/KTH, SE-10044 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Lennart Folkeson
- Department of Land and Water Resources, Royal Institute of Technology/KTH, SE-10044 Stockholm, Sweden.
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García FP, García MAF, Drożdżak J, Ruiz-Samblás C. Exploratory data analysis in the study of 7Be present in atmospheric aerosols. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2012; 19:3317-3326. [PMID: 22411199 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-012-0849-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2011] [Accepted: 02/27/2012] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Exploratory data analysis (EDA) is applied in this research to study the behavior of radioactive aerosols present in the surface atmosphere of Granada, using (7)Be as radiotracer. The reason for this study is to reduce the large number of parameters involved in understanding their behavior, given the complexity of the atmosphere. METHODS Aerosol particles were collected weekly in Granada (Spain) over a 5-year period. Low-background gamma spectrometry was used to determine concentrations of (7)Be-aerosol activity. The variables studied were: (7)Be concentration, cosmic ray intensity, temperature, temperature interval, rainfall, relative humidity, and Saharan intrusions. Least significant difference test (LSD), hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), and principal component analysis (PCA) with varimax rotation have been applied to study the datasets. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The results of our study reveal that aerosol behavior is represented by two principal components which explain 86.23 % of total variance. Components PC1 and PC2 respectively explain 74.61 and 11.62 % of total variance. PC1 explains the cyclical and seasonal pattern of the samples, while PC2 is related to the production of (7)Be. In addition, PCA and HCA show good distribution of the samples by families with two groups, summer and winter, at the extremes and spring-autumn in the middle. This result corroborates that there are no differences between spring and autumn in the climate of Granada. CONCLUSIONS EDA has been found to be quite useful in studying the behavior of radioactive aerosols in the surface atmosphere of a city with the climate and geographical characteristics of Granada.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Piñero García
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Radiochemistry and Environmental Radiology Laboratory, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
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De Francesco S, Tommasone FP, Cuoco E, Verrengia G, Tedesco D. Radon hazard in shallow groundwaters: amplification and long term variability induced by rainfall. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2010; 408:779-789. [PMID: 19951822 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2009.11.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2009] [Revised: 11/06/2009] [Accepted: 11/09/2009] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
(222)Rn concentrations have been determined with a RAD7 radon detector in shallow groundwaters of the Pietramelara Plain, north-western Campania, southern Italy, where pyroclastic deposits, along with recent stream alluvial sediments, come in contact with Mesozoic carbonate reservoirs. The aim of this study has been to study the annual variation of (222)Rn concentration in the shallow groundwaters, scarcely considered in the literature and of obvious relevance for radon hazard evaluation. Our results definitely show that (222)Rn levels are characterized by a clear annual periodicity, strictly related to rainfall and water table levels, with a pronounced difference between the dry and the wet season. In this last case with concentrations increasing up to two orders of magnitude (up to two times the lower threshold given in the Recommendation 2001/928/EURATOM for public waters). In relation to this, experimental field data will be presented to demonstrate that this variability is due to purely hydrological mechanisms, mainly rinse out and discharge that control leaching efficiency. The detected cycle (Radon Hydrological Amplification Cycle, RHAC) has been generalized for the Mediterranean Tyrrhenian climate. The marked and seasonally persistent amplification in (222)Rn levels poses the problem of evaluating the epidemiological risk brought up by this previously not yet reported mechanism. This mechanism, occurring in shallow groundwaters, very likely should strongly influence indoor radon levels via groundwater-soil-building exchange.
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Affiliation(s)
- S De Francesco
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Second University of Naples, Via Vivaldi, 81100 Caserta, Italy.
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Kistemann T, Hundhausen J, Herbst S, Classen T, Färber H. Assessment of a groundwater contamination with vinyl chloride (VC) and precursor volatile organic compounds (VOC) by use of a geographical information system (GIS). Int J Hyg Environ Health 2007; 211:308-17. [PMID: 17869578 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2007.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2001] [Revised: 11/29/2006] [Accepted: 02/04/2007] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Regarding the health effects of volatile organic compounds (VOC) and their decomposition products (particularly vinyl chloride (VC)) under chronic low-dose exposure, VOC groundwater contaminations are seen to be an ongoing public health issue. This article presents results of a long-term investigation surveying VOC and VC groundwater contamination upstream of a large groundwater works in Cologne, Germany. For 10 years a contaminated aquifer has been monitored for different VOC and for VC. In total, 255 samples have been taken to assess both the 3-dimensional distribution and the temporal dynamics of the contaminants. VOC and VC precursor substances have been measured by means of pentane-liquid-liquid-extraction, GC and ECD, VC by means of derivatisation to 1,2 dibromochloroethane, GC, ECD, and by purge and trap technique and GC-MS-coupling. For spatial analysis all test results and additional hydrogeological attribute data have been transferred to a GIS. The spatial VOC distribution has been assessed by use of kriging interpolation indicating a decrease of the initial contaminants in time. A cluster analysis allowed to distinguish several independent contaminations within the large contamination area. The VC contamination was increasing. Anaerobic microbial dechlorination of VOC and subsequent VC accumulation were seen to be as credible from several indications (VC presence, downstream change of tetra/trichloroethylene-ratio and anaerobic conditions in the aquifer, high Fe(2+)- and Mn(2+)-concentrations). There was no statistically significant vertical differentiation of VOC and VC concentrations. The VOC load within the different water protection zones of the waterworks could be assessed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Kistemann
- Institute for Hygiene and Public Health, University of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud-Street 25, 53105 Bonn, Germany.
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