Pilot study of ²²²Rn and ²²⁶Ra activity concentrations in groundwaters of Roztocze region, Poland

Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Geoengineering, Mining and Geology, Division of Geology and Mineral Waters ; Wybrzeże S. Wyspiańskiego 27, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland

^* Corresponding author : agata.kowalska@pwr.edu.pl

Abstract

Authors selected 5 intakes of groundwaters outflowing from carbonate rocks in Roztocze region in Poland and measured activity concentrations of ²²²Rn and ²²²Ra. The average values of ²²²Rn and ²²⁶Ra activity concentrations were: 5.3 (min. 2.0, max. 8.3 Bq/dm³) and 0.06 Bq/dm³ (from <0.06 to 0.07 Bq/dm³) respectively. To make a comparison authors made also investigations in groundwaters from other regions built of carbonate rocks in Poland (Sudetes, Kraków-Częstochowa Upland, Lublin Upland, Tatra Mountains). In groundwaters from these regions, ²²²Rn activity concentration was from 2.2 to 47.8 Bq/dm³, while mean value was 16.0 Bq/dm³. All of ²²⁶Ra activity concentration values measured in these regions were below LLD (< 0.05 Bq/dm³). Results from Roztocze and other regions are comparable. All of investigated waters according to new polish regulations about limits of ²²²Rn and ²²⁶Ra activity concentrations could be used as drinking waters (the limits of ²²²Rn and ²²⁶Ra activity concentrations are 100 Bq/dm³ and 0.5 Bq/dm³ respectively).