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 222Rn 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. 222Rn concentrations may be attributed to possible enhancement of 226Ra due to temperature and salinity of water, as well as evaporation rate. In 100% of the sampled spring waters the 222Rn levels exceeded the maximum acceptable limit which is proposed by international institutions. Aridity increases radiological risk related to 222Rn 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.
Highlights
Surface and groundwater naturally contain dissolved chemical species, mainly as a result of leaching from rocks that are in contact with the water
Shows the results of parameters measured in situ such as pH, temperature (T), oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), and total dissolved solids (TDS), as well as the geographic coordinates of each sampling point
The composition of the major ions and radon concentrations dissolved in spring waters were obtained
Summary
Surface and groundwater naturally contain dissolved chemical species, mainly as a result of leaching from rocks that are in contact with the water. 222 Rn is a radioisotope that belongs to the uranium family It is formed by the radioactive disintegration of 226 Ra and is an alpha emitter [1]. Radon is an inert gas, which displaces relatively freely through pores in the soil or fragmented rocks. When these pores are saturated with water, as happens in soils and rocks situated below the water table, radon is dissolved into the water in which it is transported. Exposure to radon and its disintegration products has been associated with an increase in the risk of lung and stomach cancer through inhalation
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