Since 2008, the authors have been conducting research into 222Rn and 226Ra activity concentrations in shallow circulation groundwaters in southern Poland. Measurements have been performed with a liquid-scintillation method and ultra low-level liquid-scintillation spectrometers α/β Quantulus 1220. The research carried out so far has demonstrated that in the Sudetes groundwaters with high activity concentrations of 222Rn and 226Ra are common. In other studied areas in southern Poland no shallow circulation groundwaters with high radon or radium concentrations have been found yet. The conducted research has demonstrated that the activity concentration of 222Rn dissolved in shallow circulation groundwaters in the Sudetes depends chiefly on the amount of radon, which after being released as gas from reservoir rocks is dissolved in waters flowing through these rocks. At the same time, the concentration of 222Rn dissolved in some shallow circulation groundwaters in the Carpathians is influenced significantly by the amount of radon produced from the decay of its parent ion 226Ra2+ dissolved in these waters.
The main goal of this publication was to describe the problem of radioactivity of coal mine water from Upper Silesia and its influence on the environment around the mines. First part of this work presents the current knowledge concerning natural and artificial radioactivity and describes current radiation monitoring system in Poland. In the next part, there are the results of analysis of river's water taken from different points:below and above the points of discharge of mines waters. This analysis was performed in the Chemical Metallurgy Division, at Wroclaw University of Technology. Conclusion based on results is: even high concentrations of radium in mine water doesn't pollute the rivers too much.
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