Radium geochemistry of ground waters in paleozoic carbonate aquifers, Midcontinent, U. S. A.
Journal Article
·
· Appl. Geochem.
The purpose of this study was to elucidate the processes controlling the distribution and behavior of the longer-lived radium (Ra) isotopes in continuous Paleozoic carbonate aquifers of parts of Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma. Activities of ({sup 228}Ra) and ({sup 226}Ra) were analyzed in fresh and saline ground waters, brines, and rocks. The fluids have a wide salinity range (200-250,000 mg l{sup -1} total dissolved solids). The ({sup 226}Ra) activity ranges from 0.66-7660 dpm kg{sup -1} and correlates with salinity and other alkaline earth element (Ca, Sr, and Ba) concentrations. The range of ({sup 228}Ra:{sup 226}Ra) ratios in the fluids (0.06-1.48) is similar to that in the aquifer rocks (0.21-1.53). The relatively low mean fluid ({sup 228}Ra:{sup 226}Ra) ratio (0.30) reflects the low Th:U ratio of the predominant carbonate aquifer rock. Radium occurs mostly ({>=}77%) as Ra{sup 2+} species in the fluids. Salinity-dependent sorption-desorption processes (with log K values from 10{sup 0}-10{sup 4} and negatively correlated with salinity), involving Th-enriched surface coatings on aquifer flow channels, can explain the rapid solid-fluid transfer of Ra isotopes in the system and the correlation of Ra with salinity.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Laboratory (ANL)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- SC
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-06CH11357
- OSTI ID:
- 942673
- Report Number(s):
- ANL/ER/JA-33669
- Journal Information:
- Appl. Geochem., Journal Name: Appl. Geochem. Journal Issue: 1 ; Jan. 2001 Vol. 16; ISSN 0883-2927; ISSN APPGEY
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- ENGLISH
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