Radon concentration in groundwater of Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India

Abstract

Radon is produced during the radioactive decay chain of uranium and may be found under natural conditions anywhere in soil, air and in surface water and groundwater. For radiation protection and geological considerations, it is pertinent to carry out surveys for radon in natural water. The results presented in this paper are from the groundwater samples collected during a survey carried out in Haridwar area of Uttarkhand, India. Radon (222Rn) concentration was measured using Durridge RAD-7. The 222Rn activity was measured in 6 representative groundwater samples and the values of 222Rn ranged between 2.64 ± 0.36 and 9.25 ± 0.85 Bq L-1 with an average value of 6.24 ± 0.64 Bq L-1, well within the EPA’s maximum contaminant level of 11.1 Bq L-1. Radon values were computed for correlation coefficient with other parameters viz. EC, pH and temperature and it was found that pH and temperature are moderately correlated and a modest correlation was found with EC. However, EC values ranged between 260 - 890 μS/cm with an average value of 518 μS/cm; pH values ranged between 7.3-7.9 with an average value of 7.6 and temperature values ranged between 18.5 - 23.7 oC with an average value of 20.7 oC.