Abstract
Publisher Summary Groundwater dating based on radioisotope measurements makes use of the fact that the initial concentration in recharging groundwater decreases with time. There are three sources of radioisotopes and radiogenic stable isotopes to groundwater. The two natural sources are production by cosmic rays in the atmosphere and by natural decay and activation processes in the subsurface. The third source is anthropogenic production, by reactor operation and weapons testing, for example. The relative importance of these three sources to concentrations measured in groundwater is indicated in the chapter. The noble gas isotopes 3 He, 4 He, and 40 Ar, which are radiogenic but not radioactive, are also included. The present 3 H concentration in precipitation is several orders of magnitude lower than its peak during the period of atmospheric weapons testing and it continues to decrease. On the other hand, the 85 Kr activity in the atmosphere is increasing. Both isotopes can also be used for detecting possible contamination of a water sample by a young component or, in combination.
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