N. E. Georgia Temporal and Spatial Variations in the Radon Content of Ground Water

摘要

The study reveals that the radon (Rn) activity of ground waters is primarily controlled by the geologic setting of the sample site. Neither the sample depth, short term time variations, nor sampling error alter this basic observation. Results from studies in the vicinity of Elberton, Georgia, reveal that ground waters from the main outcrop area of the Elberton Granite Batholith have elevated Rn activities compared to those from adjacent metamorphic terrains to the northwest and southeast. Areas just off the southwest and northeast edges of the main outcrop area of granite, however, yield ground waters with the highest Rn activities. This may be related to the unique geologic setting of these two areas in which small, U-enriched pegmatites lie just below the surface.