Spatial and temporal variations of radon concentrations in groundwater of hard rock aquifers in Madurai district, India

摘要

Radon (Rn-222) and other radionuclides in groundwater can lead to health problems if present in higher concentrations. A study was carried out in Madurai district of Tamilnadu by collecting groundwater samples for four different seasons and aims to identify the regions with higher Rn-222 concentration along with their spatial and seasonal variations. Rn-222 has been compared with field parameters, log pCO(2), major ions and uranium to detect the factors responsible for the higher concentration in groundwater. The weathering process induces the release of higher uranium ions from the granitic terrain from the rock matrix which enhances the Rn-222 levels in groundwater.