The issue of natural radioactivity in groundwater is reviewed, with emphasis on those radioisotopes which contribute in a significant way to the overall effective dose received by members of the public due to the intake of drinking water originating from groundwater systems. The term 'natural radioactivity' is used in this context to cover all radioactivity present in the environment, including man-made (anthropogenic) radioactivity. Comprehensive discussion of radiological aspects of the presence of natural radionuclides in groundwater, including an overview of current regulations dealing with radioactivity in drinking water, is provided. The presented data indicate that thorough assessments of the committed doses resulting from the presence of natural radioactivity in groundwater are needed, particularly when such water is envisaged for regular intake by infants. They should be based on a precise determination of radioactivity concentration levels of the whole suite of radionuclides, including characterisation of their temporal variability. Equally important is a realistic assessment of water intake values for specific age groups. Only such an evaluation may provide the basis for possible remedial actions.

No abstract

This study focuses on the distribution of selected trace metals, 137 Cs and 210 Pb, in floodplain deposits of the lowland Warta River (southern Poland) downstream of Częstochowa, a large city with an iron smelter. The depth profiles of trace metal (Zn, Pb, Cu, Ni, Cd and Mn), 210 Pb and 137 Cs contents in floodplain sediments were used to derive deposition rates on the floodplain for the twentieth century. The applicability of particular chronometric tools is considered within the context of their mutual relationships and confirmed by the consistency of the results. Deposition rate estimates for the past 50 years based on the vertical patterns of trace metal concentrations, which were correlated with particular events in the development of the smelter, range from 0.4 cm·year −1 in profiles situated in backswamps far from the channel to over 1.1 cm·year −1 in profiles of the natural levee adjacent to the river. Deposition rates based on 210 Pb inventories in the profiles range from 0.08 to 0.66 g·cm −2 ·year −1 , which corresponds to linear sedimentation rates of 0.10 to 0.91 cm·year −1 , respectively. Dating of characteristic levels associated with peak fallout of 137 Cs gives sediment accretion rates resembling those obtained from trace metals and 210 Pb. The period of the highest sediment accumulation rate could be related to the highest loads of effluent from the iron smelter and city of Często-chowa, which were substantially reduced after the construction of effluent treatment plant.

No abstract

A natural radioactivity in thermal water was investigated based on 19 selected thermal waters from Poland. The analysed results show that the radionuclides’ concentrations in the study waters vary over a wide range. The temperature of the waters varies from above 20 °C to above 80 °C. The waters are characterised by different mineralisation, chemical compositions, and belong to different hydrochemical types. There is a good correlation between the water temperature and the depths of the aquifer formations occurrence, suggesting the thermal energy originates from the thermal geogradient. The concentration of radium is well correlated with the water mineralisation. The ratio of radium activity (226Ra/228Ra) in groundwater relates not only the ratio of uranium activity to that of thorium (238U/232Th) in aquifer formation, but also depends on the physical and chemical water properties. Based on the concentration of radon and its transport model, the radiation exposures due to inhalation of 222Rn and its progeny for employees and clients of the spa were assessed. The use of the thermal waters as a drinking resource may be problematic due to the possibility of exceeding the recommended annual committed effective dose 0.1 mSv.