{sup 222}Rn levels in Kingsville, Texas, and vicinity, near an in-situ uranium mine

Journal Article · Thu Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1994 · AAPG Bulletin

OSTI ID:96245

McGehee, T; Martino, R; Harr, T ^[1]

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1. Texas A&M Univ., Kingsville, TX (United States)

An investigation of the {sup 222}Rn levels in groundwater, soils, and indoor air has disclosed two {sup 222}Rn anomalies in groundwaters drawn from uranium-enriched sands in the Evangeline aquifer in the Kingsville area. Results are based on analyses of 264 water samples, 56 soil samples, and 112 indoor air samples. Private water wells near an in-situ mined ore body yielded 1,023 to 11,453 pCi/1 at the well head and in-house water tap. Water wells north of the ore body near Naval Air Station Kingsville yielded 442 to 1950 pCi/1 at the well head and homeowners water tap. Soil concentrations were measured from undetectable to 75.4 pCi/1. Indoor air levels were measured in summer 1991 (from undetectable to 3.2 pCi/1) and winter (January) 1992 to measure seasonal extremes. High {sup 222}Rn levels in groundwater were reduced to background levels in household waters if the homeowner used a preintroduction, large-capacity holding tank.

• OSTI ID: 96245
• Report Number(s): CONF-941065--
• Journal Information: AAPG Bulletin, Journal Name: AAPG Bulletin Journal Issue: 9 Vol. 78; ISSN 0149-1423; ISSN AABUD2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

05 NUCLEAR FUELS
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CONTAMINATION
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
GROUND WATER
INDOOR AIR CONTAMINATION
RADIOECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
RADON
TEXAS
URANIUM MINES
WATER QUALITY