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Occurrence of natural radium-226 radioactivity in ground water of Sarasota County, Florida

Water-Resources Investigations Report 84-4237
By:  and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/wri844237

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Abstract

Water that contains radium-226 radioactivity in excess of the 5.0-picocurie-per-liter limit set in the National Interim Primary Drinking Water Regulations was found in the majority of wells sampled throughout Sarasota County. Highest levels were found areally near the coast or near rivers and vertically in the Tamiami-upper Hawthorn aquifer where semiconsolidated phosphate pebbles occur. Analysis of data suggests that part of the radium-226 in ground water of Sarasota County is dissolved by alpha particle recoil. In slightly mineralized water, radium-226 concentrations are decreased by ion exchange or sorption. In more mineralized water, other ions compete with radium-226 for ion exchange or sorption sites. Dissolution of minerals containing radium-226 by mineralized water probably contributes a significant fraction of the dissolved radium-226. Two types of mineralized water were present in Sarasota County. One type is a marine-like water, presumably associated with saltwater encroachment in coastal areas; the other is a calcium magnesium strontium surfate bicarbonate type. In general, water that contains high radium-226 radioactivities also contains too much water hardness or dissolved solids to be used for public supply without treatment that would also reduce radium-226 radioactivities. (USGS)

Suggested Citation

Miller, R.L., Sutcliffe, H., 1985, Occurrence of natural radium-226 radioactivity in ground water of Sarasota County, Florida: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 84-4237, vi, 34 p. :ill., maps ;28 cm., https://doi.org/10.3133/wri844237.

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Occurrence of natural radium-226 radioactivity in ground water of Sarasota County, Florida
Series title Water-Resources Investigations Report
Series number 84-4237
DOI 10.3133/wri844237
Year Published 1985
Language ENGLISH
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey,
Description vi, 34 p. :ill., maps ;28 cm.
Additional publication details