Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Spatial and temporal variations of radon concentrations in groundwater of hard rock aquifers in Madurai district, India

  • Published:
Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Radon (222Rn) and other radionuclides in groundwater can lead to health problems if present in higher concentrations. A study was carried out in Madurai district of Tamilnadu by collecting groundwater samples for four different seasons and aims to identify the regions with higher 222Rn concentration along with their spatial and seasonal variations. 222Rn has been compared with field parameters, log pCO2, major ions and uranium to detect the factors responsible for the higher concentration in groundwater. The weathering process induces the release of higher uranium ions from the granitic terrain from the rock matrix which enhances the 222Rn levels in groundwater.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Corbett CR, Burnett WC (1997) Radon tracing in groundwater input into Pad Pond, Sanannah River site. J Hydrol 203:209–227

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. USEPA (1991) Review of RSC analysis. Report prepared by Wade Miller Associates, Inc. for the United States Environmental Protection Agency

  3. Voronov AN (2004) Radon-rich waters in Russia. Environ Geol 46:630

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Thivya C, Chidambaram S, Tirumalesh K, Prasanna MV, Thilagavathi R, Nepolian M (2014) Occurrence of the radionuclides in groundwater of crystalline hard rock regions of central Tamil Nadu, India. J Radio anal Nucl Chem 302:1349–1355

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Schmidt A, Schubert M (2007) Using radon-222 for tracing groundwater discharge into an open-pit lignite mining lake—a case study. Isot Environ Health Stud 43:387–400

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Darby S, Hill D, Auvinen A, Barros-dios JM, Bochicchio F, Deo H, Falk R, Forastiere F, Hakama M, Heid I, Keienbrock L, Kreuzer M, Lagarde F, Makelainen I, Muirhead C, Oberaigner W, Pershagen G, Ruano-Ravina A, Ruosteenoja E, Schaffrath Rosario A, Tirmarche M, Tomasek L, Whitley E, Wichmann HE, Doll R (2005) Radon in homes and risk of lung cancer: collaborative analysis of individual data from 13 european case-control studies. Br Med J 330:223–228

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Doi RJ, Przylibski TA, Kozłowska B, Dorda J, Kiełczawa B (2001) Radon-222 and 226Ra concentrations in mineralized groundwaters of Gorzanów (Kłodzko Basin, Sudeten mountains, SW Poland. J Radio Anal Nucl. Chem 253(1):11–19

    Google Scholar 

  8. Auvinen A, Salonen L, Pekkanen J, Pukkala E, Ilus T, Kurttio P (2005) Radon and other natural radionuclides in drinking water and risk of stomach cancer: a case–cohort study in Finland. Int J Cancer 114(1):109–113

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Akerblom G (1994) Radon in water in Swedish. Borrsvangen 94, pp. 16-21

  10. Thivya C, Chidambaram S, Keesari Tirumalesh, Prasanna MV, Thilagavathi R, Adithya VS, Singaraja C (2015) Lithological and hydrochemical controls on distribution and speciation of uranium in groundwaters of hard-rock granitic aquifers of Madurai District, Tamil Nadu (India). Environ Geochem Health 37(3):497–509

    Google Scholar 

  11. Thivya C, Chidambaram S, Thilagavathi R, Prasanna MV, Singaraja C, Adithya VS, Nepolian M (2015) A multivariate statistical approach to identify the spatio-temporal variation of geochemical process in a hard rock aquifer. Environ Monit Assess 187:552

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. GSI (Geological Survey of India) (1995) Geological and mineral map of Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry, 1:500,000

  13. Thivya C, Chidambaram S, Singaraja C, Thilagavathi R, Prasanna MV, Jainab (2013) A study on the significance of lithology in groundwater quality of Madurai district, Tamil Nadu (India). Environ Dev Sustain 15:1365–1387

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. CGWB (2007) Ground water resources and development prospects in Madurai region

  15. Ramesh R, Anbu M (1996) Chemical methods for environmental analysis- water and sediments. Chennai, Macmillan India, p 161

    Google Scholar 

  16. APHA (1995) Standard methods for the examination of water and waste water, 19th edn. APHA, USASS, Washington DC

    Google Scholar 

  17. Choubey VM, Bartarya SK, Ramola RC (2000) Radon in Himalayan springs: a geohydrological control. Environ Geol 39(6):523–530

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Nashine SK, Dhanraju R, Bhatnagar GR, Narayandas GR (1982) Uranium occurrences close to the main central thrust around Sileth, Dhargaon, Chamyala Balganga valley, Tehri Garhwal, UP. Himal Geol 1:305–316

    Google Scholar 

  19. Fleischer RL (1980) Isotopic disequilibrium of uranium alpha –recoil. Damage Preferential Solut Eff Sci 207:979–981

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Olofsson B, Jacks G, Knutsson G, Thunvik R (2001) Groundwater in hard rock – a literature review In: Nuclear waste state of that the art report, Seish National Council for Nuclear waste SOU 2001:35 Stockholm, pp. 115–191

  21. Skeppstrom K, Olofsson B (2007) Uranium and radon in groundwater. Eur Water 17(18):51–62

    Google Scholar 

  22. Kraemer T, Genereux D (1998) Application of uranium- and thorium series radionuclides in catchment hydrology studies. In: Kendall C, McDonnell J (eds) Isotope tracers in catchment hydrology. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp 679–722

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  23. Prasad Yogesh, Prasad Ganesh, Choubey VM, Ramola RC (2009) Geohydrological control on radon availability in groundwater. Radiat Meas 44:122–126

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Akerblom G, Lindgren J (1997) Mapping of groundwater radon potential. Eur Geol 5:13–22

    Google Scholar 

  25. Badhan Komal, Mehra Rohit, Sonkawade RG (2010) Measurement of radon concentration in groundwater using RAD7 and assessment of average annual dose in the environs of NITJ, Punjab India. Indian J Pure Appl Phys 48:508–511

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Monnin M, Seidel JL (1992) Radon in soil – air and in groundwater related to major geophysical events A survey. Nucl Instrum Meth Phys Res A314:316–330

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Singh MRC, Ramola SS, Virk HS (1988) The influence of Metrological parameters on soil gas radon. J Assoc Explor Geophy 9:85–90

    Google Scholar 

  28. Sharma AK, Walia V, Virk HS (2000) Effects on Meterological parameters on radon emanations at palampur(H.P). J Geophys 21:45–48

    Google Scholar 

  29. Raymahashay BC (1986) Geochemistry of bicarbonate in river water. J Geol Soc India 27:114–118

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Brutsaert WF, Norton SW, Hess CT, Williams JS (1981) Geologic and hydrologic factors controlling Radon-222 in ground water in Maine. Ground Water 19:407–417

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Donahue P M (1984) Hydrogeologic factors influencing Radon-222 in ground water in southeastern New Hampshire. Directed M.S. Report. University of New Hampshire, Durham, N.H. pp. 63

  32. Francis C, Watkins J, Wilkinson RJ, Farmyards (1980) An overlooked source for highly contaminated runoff. J Environ Manag 87:551–559

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to express their sincere thanks to University Grants Commission (UGC), India for providing the necessary financial support to carry out this study with vide reference to UGC letter No. F: 39-143/2010 (SR) dated 27 December 2010.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology, University of Madras, Guindy Campus, Chennai, 600025, India

    C. Thivya

  2. Department of Earth Sciences, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, 608002, India

    S. Chidambaram, R. Thilagavathi & M. Nepolian

  3. Isotope Production and Applications Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400085, India

    K. Tirumalesh

  4. Department of Applied Geology, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia, CDT 250, 98009, Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia

    M. V. Prasanna

Authors
  1. C. Thivya
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. S. Chidambaram
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. R. Thilagavathi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. K. Tirumalesh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. M. Nepolian
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. M. V. Prasanna
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to C. Thivya.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Thivya, C., Chidambaram, S., Thilagavathi, R. et al. Spatial and temporal variations of radon concentrations in groundwater of hard rock aquifers in Madurai district, India. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 313, 603–609 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-017-5300-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-017-5300-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation