The Journal of Engineering Geology (지질공학)

The Korean Society of Engineering Geology (대한지질공학회)
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Radon Concentration in Groundwater of Korea

전국 규모로 본 국내 지하수의 라돈 함량

  • Cho, Byong-Wook (Groundwater and Ecohydrology Research Center, Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources)
  • 조병욱 (한국지질자원연구원 지하수연구센터)
  • Received : 2018.11.13
  • Accepted : 2018.12.13
  • Published : 2018.12.31
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Abstract

Radon concentration was measured in a total of 5,453 groundwater samples from wells across Korea. The radon concentrations showed the values ranging from 0.1 Bq/L to 7,218.7 Bq/L, with a median of 48.8 Bq/L which is lower than those of other countries having similar geological conditions. The distribution of radon concentrations was lognormal. The median value is high in the granite areas (63.5-105.1 Bq/L) while it is low in the sedimentary rocks and Cheju volcanic area (16.0-20.3 Bq/L). When grouping the groundwater with well depth, the median radon value is high in weathering and/or upper bedrock zone (61.4 Bq/L) while it is low in alluvium and/or weathering zone (28.5 Bq/L). About 17.7% of the total samples exceeded 148 Bq/L of USEPA guideline value. The exceeding radon ratio more than 148 Bq/L in groundwater is highest in Jurassic granite area, however, the exceeding radon rates more than 300 Bq/L and 500 Bq/L are highest in CGRA area.

국내 5,453개 지하수공에서 시료를 채취하고 라돈 함량을 분석하였다. 지하수의 라돈 함량은 0.1-7,218.7 Bq/L의 범위, 평균함량은 94.4 Bq/L, 중앙값은 48.8 Bq/L으로 비슷한 지질환경을 갖는 나라의 지하수의 라돈 함량에 비해서는 낮게 나타났다. 전체 지하수의 라돈 함량빈도 분포는 대수정규분포를 보였다. 10개 지질로 구분하면 지질별 지하수의 라돈 중앙값은 화강암에서 높고(63.5-105.1 Bq/L) 퇴적암과 제주화산암(PVOL)에서 낮았다(16.0-20.3 Bq/L). 심도별 지하수의 라돈 함량 중앙값은 풍화대 또는 기반암 상부 구간에서 61.4 Bq/L로 높았으며 충적층 구간에서는 28.5 Bq/L로 낮았다. 전체 지하수중 라돈 함량이 미국환경청(USEPA)의 제안치인 148 Bq/L를 넘는 비율은 17.7%이다. 지질별로 보아 지하수의 라돈 함량이 148 Bq/L를 초과하는 비율은 쥬라기화강암지역이 가장 높다. 그러나 지하수의 라돈 함량이 300 Bq/L, 500 Bq/L 이상인 비율은 백악기화강암(CGRA)지역이 가장 높다.

Keywords

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Fig. 1. Location map and simplified geological map of the area.

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Fig. 2. The percentage of wells falling into different water use class.

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Fig. 3. Distribution diagrams of radon concentration in the groundwaters of the area.

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Fig. 4. Spatial distribution of groundwater radon levels on a simplified geological map of the area.

Table 1. Statistical analysis of the radon concentrations in the groundwater with respect to each geology.

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Table 2. The sample numbers for radon analysis and the maximum radon values of other contries

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Table 3. Concentration ranges of radon in groundwater from various locations

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Table 4. Statistical analysis of the radon concentrations in the groundwater with well depth

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Table 5. International radon guidance levels (Bq/L) for drinking water

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Table 6. Distribution of the radon concentrations in the groundwater from each geology

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