Uranium and radon in private bedrock well water in Maine: geospatial analysis at two scales
Environmental Science & Technology
By: Qiang Yang, Paul Smitherman, C.T. Hess, Charles W. Culbertson, Robert G. Marvinney, and Yan Zheng
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Abstract
In greater Augusta of central Maine, 53 out of 1093 (4.8%) private bedrock well water samples from 1534 km2 contained [U] >30 μg/L, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for drinking water; and 226 out of 786 (29%) samples from 1135 km2 showed [Rn] >4,000 pCi/L (148 Bq/L), the U.S. EPA’s Alternative MCL. Groundwater pH, calcite dissolution and redox condition are factors controlling the distribution of groundwater U but not Rn due to their divergent chemical and hydrological properties. Groundwater U is associated with incompatible elements (S, As, Mo, F, and Cs) in water samples within granitic intrusions. Elevated [U] and [Rn] are located within 5–10 km distance of granitic intrusions but do not show correlations with metamorphism at intermediate scales (100−101 km). This spatial association is confirmed by a high-density sampling (n = 331, 5–40 samples per km2) at local scales (≤10–1 km) and the statewide sampling (n = 5857, 1 sample per 16 km2) at regional scales (102–103 km). Wells located within 5 km of granitic intrusions are at risk of containing high levels of [U] and [Rn]. Approximately 48 800–63 900 and 324 000 people in Maine are estimated at risk of exposure to U (>30 μg/L) and Rn (>4000 pCi/L) in well water, respectively.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Uranium and radon in private bedrock well water in Maine: geospatial analysis at two scales |
| Series title | Environmental Science & Technology |
| DOI | 10.1021/es405020k |
| Volume | 48 |
| Issue | 8 |
| Year Published | 2014 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | American Chemical Society |
| Publisher location | Easton, PA |
| Contributing office(s) | Maine Water Science Center |
| Description | 9 p. |
| Larger Work Type | Article |
| Larger Work Subtype | Journal Article |
| Larger Work Title | Environmental Science and Technology |
| First page | 4298 |
| Last page | 4306 |
| Country | United States |
| State | Maine |
| City | Augusta |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |