{sup 222}Rn levels in Kingsville, Texas, and vicinity near an in situ uranium mine
- Texas A&M Univ., Kingsville, TX (United States)
An investigation of the {sup 222}Rn levels in ground water, soils, and indoor air has disclosed two {sup 222}Rn ground-water anomalies in the Kingsville, Texas, area from uranium-enriched sandstones of the Evangeline aquifer. Indoor air {sup 222}Rn levels were measured in summer 1991 (from undetectable to 3.2 pCi/l) and winter 1991-1992 (0.01 to 3.98 pCi/l) to determine seasonal extremes and risk to the public. Soil {sup 222}Rn concentration maps ranging from undetectable to 75.4 pCi/l correlate to the low levels found in homes. Results of this study are based on analyses of 218 water samples, 52 in situ soil samples, and 104 indoor air samples. Water samples were injected into a scintillation mix (EPA/EERF-Manual-78-1) and analyzed by liquid scintillation techniques. Indoor air and soil samples were collected using passive charcoal canisters and analyzed by gamma-ray detection techniques (EPA 520/5-87-005). One ground-water {sup 222}Rn anomaly lies near the permitted boundary of a large uranium deposit that is being mined. Private wells near the ore body yielded, 1,023 to 23,256 pCi/l at the well head. A second anomaly is located 2.5 mi (4 km) north of the uranium ore body near Naval Air Station, Kingsville. Private water wells in this area yielded 442 to 1,950 pCi/l {sup 222}Rn at the well head. The radon anomalies are related to subsurface mineralization, which is one of the known natural geologic hazards of this area. Indoor air {sup 222}Rn levels are well below the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US/EPA) action limit of 4 pCi/l. However, the high levels of {sup 222}RN in ground water should be mitigated before entry into the home environment. High {sup 222}Rn levels in ground water were reduced to background levels in household waters by use of a pre-introduction large-capacity holding tank.
- OSTI ID:
- 45204
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-941065-; TRN: 95:001437-0027
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 44. annual convention of the Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies and the 41st annual convention of the Gulf Coast Section of the Society of Economic Paleontologists and Mineralogists, Austin, TX (United States), 5-7 Oct 1994; Other Information: PBD: 1994; Related Information: Is Part Of Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies: Transactions. Volume 44; Major, R.P. [ed.]; PB: 847 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Characterizing the occurrence, sources, and variability of radon in pacific northwest homes
Determination of radon-222 in ground water using liquid scintillation counting-survey of carefree cave-creek water basin in Arizona