Hydrochemistry and 222Rn Concentrations in Spring Waters in the Arid Zone El Granero, Chihuahua, Mexico

Abstract

Abstract:Water in arid and semi-arid environments is characterized by the presentation of complex interactions, where dissolved chemical species in high concentrations have negative effects on the water quality. Radon is present in areas with a high uranium and radium content, and it is the main contributor of the annual effective dose received by humans. The objective of this study was to evaluate concentrations of 222 Rn and the water quality of spring waters. Water was classified as calcium sulfated and sodium sulfated. Most of the water samples with high radon concentrations presented higher concentrations of sulfates, fluorides, and total dissolved solids. 222 Rn concentrations may be attributed to possible enhancement of 226 Ra due to temperature and salinity of water, as well as evaporation rate. In 100% of the sampled spring waters the 222 Rn levels exceeded the maximum acceptable limit which is proposed by international institutions. Aridity increases radiological risk related to 222 Rn dose because spring waters are the main supply source for local populations. The implementation of environmental education, strategies, and technologies to remove the contaminants from the water are essential in order to reduce the health risk for local inhabitants.

Characteristic and Mixing Mechanisms of Thermal Fluid at the Tampomas Volcano, West Java, Using Hydrogeochemistry, Stable Isotope and 222Rn Analyses

“…According to [6], high radon concentrations are caused by the convection process, which is more dominant in gas movements than diffusion. Another study concluded that radon emanation from four active fault zones in California was greater than the concentration of the background radon in the area [7]. This greater concentration is due to the higher outgassing rates in the anomaly zones caused by high permeability.…”

“…Radon concentrations in water have also been studied by [7] in a geothermal area; it was found that high dissolved 222 Rn concentrations are associated with high concentrations of sulfate, fluoride and total dissolved solids related to geothermal water. In contrast to [7], 222 Rn concentrations from thermal manifestation in some fields in New Zealand, such as Wairakei, Waiora, Spa and Rotokaua, show that water temperature does not correlate with 222 Rn concentrations in water [8].…”