A novel method has been developed for determining the natural decay series radionuclides (NDS), 210Pb, 210Bi, and 210Po, in seawater by way of state-of-the-art liquid scintillation spectrometry. For 210Pb analysis, the method makes use of a 212Pb yield tracer, prepared by ion exchange separation from aged Th(NO3)4. 210Bi recovery is determined using 207Bi as the yield tracer, and 210Po is determined using the conventional 208Po yield tracer. The limits of detection for this method are 0.32, 0.34, and 0.004 mBq 1-1 for 210Pb, 210Bi, and 210Po, respectively. The analysis can be completed within 10 days, as compared with up to one year for traditional methods. Results are presented for a preliminary study of 210Pb, 210Bi, and 210Po in the dissolved and particle-bound phases of Irish Sea water.

and hydrological events. In the Lambourn, the radon budget is controlled by diffuse 10 groundwater inputs, supporting the hypothesis that the alluvial aquifer plays a greater 11 role during periods of high accretion. The Pang is more complex than the Lambourn 12 having a combination of diffuse and point source inputs, with spring inputs dominating 13 both flow and radon signatures in the lower part of the catchment. Significant temporal 14 and spatial variations were determined for C I in both catchments reflecting their 15 differing geologies and flow regimes. One use of radon in hydrology is the 16 determination of groundwater discharges to rivers, but the observed variations in C I 17 mean this approach may not be appropriate to all situations and that changes in source 18 need further evaluation. Nonetheless, radon is shown to be a useful tracer of flow paths 19 and processes within these catchments. 20 21

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Radon is a powerful tracer of stream-aquifer interactions. However, it is important to consider the source and behaviour of radon in groundwater when interpreting observations of river radon in relation to groundwater discharge. Here we characterise the variability in groundwater radon concentrations in the riparian zone of a Chalk catchment. Groundwater 222 Rn (radon) concentrations were determined in riparian zone boreholes at two sites in the Lambourn catchment, Berkshire, UK, over a two year period. In addition, borehole core material was analysed for 226 Ra (radium) and to determine radon emanation. Radon and radium concentrations and radon emanation were found to change with depth and temporal variations in groundwater radon concentrations were found at different scales. The abundance of radium and emanation of radon increased nearer the surface leading to greater groundwater radon concentrations. It is shown that seasonal changes in water table elevation can to lead to variable radon concentrations in groundwater as zones of radon production become hydraulically active. Groundwater radon concentrations in shallow piezometers were found to respond to both seasonal changes in the water table and individual rainfall events. Riparian sources of radon can be variable and are therefore potentially influential in the radon signals observed in rivers and should be properly characterised when interpreting river radon inputs.

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1. Historical nutrient changes in Grasmere were investigated using a 300-year record derived from six sediment cores. One core was investigated at high resolution for diatoms, total sedimentary phosphorus, and loss-on-ignition (LOI), and was dated using 210 Pb and 137 Cs. Six other cores were scanned for magnetic susceptibility, diatoms and LOI to confirm the stratigraphic integrity of the primary record. 2. A rise in nutrient levels occurred after 1855 AD. This event was marked by a shift away from benthic diatom assemblages and a rise in Asterionella formosa. The onset of eutrophication from 1855 corresponds to the expansion of the local and tourist population in the area. 3. The replacement of A. formosa with Cyclotella spp. ca 1945-65 indicates reduced nutrient loads, possibly because of enhanced flushing brought about by the seasonal rainfall distribution. 4. After 1965 a step-wise increase in both absolute and relative amounts of Asterionella was found. High sedimentary P and diatom inferred TP confirmed the high nutrient loading of the lake. Nutrient increase is attributable to problems with the Grasmere village sewage system and the installation of a wastewater treatment works (WwTW) on the River Rothay in 1971. Modifications to the WwTW in 1982 caused an initial improvement, but have not led to a full recovery to pre-1965 ecological conditions. 5. The diatom record indicates a further improvement after 1990 by a return toward Achnanthes minutissima. 6. The sedimentary archive of sensitive sites provides important benchmarks against which to judge the attainment of water quality targets.

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A novel technique for obtaining time-integrated 99Tc concentrations in seawater has been developed, using diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT). The performance of TEVA resin as a binding agent for 99Tc was investigated via laboratory experiments. The accumulated 99Tc activity per unit area of resin−gel was proportional to both the bulk solution activity and the exposure time for deployments of up to 2 weeks. The response of DGT was found to be independent of solution chemistries over the pH range 3−8 and ionic strength range 0.01−1.3 M. Seawater has pH 8 and ionic strength of ∼0.7 M; therefore, the potential of the technique for field deployment in seawater was demonstrated. Detection limits of 0.05 and 0.025 Bq L-1, for 2- and 4-week DGT deployments, respectively, were calculated for 99Tc measurement by liquid scintillation spectrometry. Using quadrupole ICPMS to measure bound 99Tc could reduce these detection limits to 0.125 mBq L-1 for a 4-week deployment. These detection limits are sufficiently low for monitoring contaminated environments, including the Irish Sea. This method is simpler and faster than other 99Tc analysis methods and represents the only means of obtaining time-integrated data.