Use of radon isotopes, gamma radiation and dye tracers to study water interactions in a small stream in Brazil

• Published in: Environmental earth sciences 2018-10, Vol.77 (19), p.1-12, Article 699
• Main Authors: Ferreira, Vinícius V. M., Moreira, Rubens M., Rocha, Zildete, Chagas, Cláudio J., Fonseca, Raquel L. M., Santos, Talita O., Rodrigues, Paulo C. H., Menezes, Maria Angela B. C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biogeosciences; Correlation; Discharge; Dyes; Earth and Environmental Science; Earth Sciences; Environmental Science and Engineering; Fluorescence; Fluorescent indicators; Fluorescent tracers; Gamma radiation; Gamma rays; Geochemistry; Geology; Hydrology/Water Resources; Interactions; Isotopes; Original Article; Radiation; Radon; Radon isotopes; Rivers; Terrestrial Pollution; Tracers; Water analysis; Water sampling; γ Radiation
• ISSN: 1866-6280; 1866-6299
• DOI: 10.1007/s12665-018-7879-3

In this study, natural ( 222 Rn) and fluorescent (uranin) tracers were used to investigate the interactions between surface and subsurface waters in a small hydrographical basin located in the southeast region of Brazil. Levels of 222 Rn were measured in 117 water samples with the use of an alpha solid-state detector. After the identification of the probable discharge sections along the stream, a measurement of the natural flows, upstream and downstream of these sections, was done with the use of a fluorimeter and fluorescent tracers. Also, scanning was done to verify a correlation between the natural gamma radiation and the 222 Rn in the areas where its activity was higher. The results showed some sections where the 222 Rn activity is more significant and contributed to the growth of the flows along the stream. It was possible to confirm a correlation between the discharge sections and the natural gamma radiation, what can be used as a preliminary approach to finding these sections in scenarios similar to the one studied here.