Radon in quaternary aquifers related to underlying bedrock geology

• Published in: Ground water 1998-01, Vol.36 (1), p.143-146
• Main Authors: Morland, G. (Norges Geologiske Undersokelse, Oslo, Norway.), Strand, T, Furuhaug, L, Skarphagen, H, Banks, D
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: AGUAS SUBTERRANEAS; CALIDAD DEL AGUA; CAPA FREATICA; Composition; EAU SOUTERRAINE; ELEMENTO PRIMARIO DEL SUELO; ENCUESTAS; ENQUETE; Environmental aspects; FLUVIOGLACIAL SOILS; FLUVISOL; FLUVISOLES; FLUVISOLS; Geology; GROUNDWATER; GROUNDWATER TABLE; LITHOLOGICAL SOIL TYPES; NAPPE SOUTERRAINE; POZOS; PUITS; QUALITE DE L'EAU; QUATERNARY DEPOSITS; RADON; ROCA; ROCHE; ROCHE MERE; ROCK; SOIL PARENT MATERIALS; SURVEYS; TIPOS LITOLOGICOS DE SUELO; TYPE DE SOL LITHOLOGIQUE; WATER QUALITY; Water, Underground; WELLS
• ISSN: 0017-467X; 1745-6584
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1745-6584.1998.tb01074.x

A survey of radon concentrations in water abstracted from 31 of Norway's largest waterworks, using ground water from Quaternary fluvial and glaciofluvial sediments, returned values of between 0.4 Bq/L and 83 Bq/L, with a median of 23 Bq/L. Significantly higher Rn concentrations were present in ground water from Quaternary aquifers underlain by gneissic and granitic lithologies compared with those underlain by metasandstones, phyllites and mica schists. Compared to the recommended national action level of 500 Bq/L and concentrations of up to 19,900 Bq/L, which have been detected in boreholes in Norwegian granite aquifers, the concentrations measured in Quaternary aquifers are regarded as unproblematic for consumers, although a more detailed assessment may be required for workers spending a lot of time in wellhead areas