Geochemical and hydrogeological factors influencing high levels of radium contamination in groundwater in arid regions

Environmental Research
Turki FarajMohamed El Alfy

Abstract

One of the most challenging environmental issues in arid regions is radionuclide groundwater contamination; typically, radionuclide sources, mobility, and spatial distributions are not well understood. The main objectives of this study are to investigate the groundwater hydrochemistry and identify the factors governing the radium occurrences and mobility. Groundwater samples were collected from shallow unconfined zone and deep confined Saq sandstone aquifer in the Hail area, Saudi Arabia. They were analyzed for major, minor, and trace elements as well as radium isotopes (226Ra and 228Ra). The hydrochemical relationships, water facies, spatial distribution, and the factor analysis were integrated to elucidate the governing processes in the system. The hydrochemical facies exhibited four water types characterized by earth alkaline and alkaline elements. Most samples contained sulfates and chlorides. The hydrochemical processes affecting groundwater included the dissolution of certain minerals, mixing between modern and fossil water types, and reverse ion exchange. There are high concentrations of nitrate in the unconfined zone, with low concentrations in areas under confining conditions. High radium concentrations were recorded i...Continue Reading

Citations

Aug 7, 2020·Environmental Monitoring and Assessment·Y Y EbaidO Makhlouf
Mar 25, 2021·Environmental Science and Pollution Research International·Joana Martínez RatiaFrancesc Borrull Ballarín

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