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Radium and radon content in the carbonate-rock aquifer of the southern Italian region of Apulia

Content Provider	Springer Nature Link
Author	Spizzico, Michele
Copyright Year	2005
Abstract	High concentrations of $^{222}$Rn have been found throughout the waters of the coastal carbonate-rock Mesozoic aquifer located in the region of Apulia in southern Italy. Studies undertaken have determined that such concentrations are due to the radioisotopic features of terra rossa, a type of paleosol that is generated as a residual byproduct of carbonate dissolution and is found to be widespread throughout the aquifer’s fissures and karst cavities.These special types of soil feature a rather high clay content (80–95%) and, although variable, their specific $^{226}$Ra activity (70–147 Bq/kg) is nonetheless considerably greater than that of limestone (~50 Bq/kg). In fact, there are substantial differences in $^{222}$Rn concentrations found in waters that come into contact with this type of rock and paleosol.The partial dissolution of some carbonate rock samples in the laboratory confirmed that the $^{226}$Ra released by the dissolved rock primarily accumulates in the residual soil deposits, especially in ones containing finer granules. This has also been the result of experiments conducted on 15 terra rossa samples collected from the region, which indicates that there is a close correlation between the specific $^{226}$Ra activity and the clay content of such paleosols, which varies with the stage of weathering.It has been found that the $^{222}$Rn concentrations in the region’s waters, depend on the specific terra rossa $^{226}$Ra activity rather than on the quantity of terra rossa.Field checks have confirmed the possibility of using $^{226}$Ra and $^{222}$Rn as natural tracers in order to define hydrogeological problems in special environments such as karst. They can be used to distinguish the different water bearing zones in the carbonate-rock aquifer; analyze the influence of tides on coastal springs; determine the flow direction in the proximity of a well; recognize, recharge and the progressive decline of the groundwater level; derive indications of underground flow paths; and the occurrence of fissures and karstic cavities in the carbonate-rock aquifer.Des concentrations élevées en $^{222}$Rn ont été mesurées partout dans l’aquifère côtier carbonaté d’age mésosoique situé dans la région d’Apulia, dans le sud de l’Italie. Les études en cours ont démontré que de telles concentrations sont dues aux propriétés radioisotopiques de la terra rossa, un type de paléosol qui est produit comme un résidu de la dissolution des carbonates et qui s’avère répandu dans toutes les fissures de l’aquifère et les cavités karstiques.Ces types particuliers de sol contiennent une teneur élevée en argiles (80–95%) et, quoique variable, leur activité spécifique en $^{226}$Ra (70–147 Bq/kg) est néanmoins considérablement plus élevé que celle du calcaire (~50 Bq/kg). Il y a des différences importantes dans la concentration en$^{226}$Ra trouvée dans les eaux qui ont été en contact avec ce type de roche et de paléosol.La dissolution partielle de certains échantillons de roches carbonatées en laboratoire a confirmé que le $^{226}$Ra libéré par la dissolution de la roche s’accumule principalement dans les dépôts de sol résiduels, et spécialement dans ceux contenant des particules fines. Ces résultats corroborent les résultats d’autres expériences conduites sur 15 échantillons de terra rosa provenant de la région. Ces expériences indiquent qu’il y a une relation étroite entre l’activité du $^{226}$Ra et le contenu en argile des paléosols, ce dernier paramètre variant avec le degré d’altération.Il a été trouvé que la concentration en $^{222}$Rn dans les eaux de la région dépend de l’activité spécifique en $^{226}$Ra plutôt qu’en la quantité de terra rosa. Des vérifications sur le terrain ont confirmé la possibilité d’utiliser le $^{226}$Ra et $^{222}$Rn comme traceur naturel dans le but de définir les problèmes hydrogéologiques dans les environnements spéciaux comme les environments karstiques. Ils peuvent également être utilisés pour distinguer différentes zones contenant de l’eau dans l’aquifère carbonaté, pour analyser l’influence des vagues sur les sources côtières, pour déterminer la direction d’écoulement à proximité de puits, pour reconnaître, en égard à l’eau souterraine dans le cycle hydrogéologique, les zones de recharge, pour déterminer le déclin progressif du niveau de l’eau souterraine, et enfin, pour dériver la direction d’écoulement de l’eau souterraine et la position des fissures et cavités karstiques dans l’aquifère carbonaté.Se han encontrado altas concentraciones de $^{222}$Rn a través de las aguas del acuífero Mezosoico carbonatado costero localizado en la región de Apulia en el Sur de Italia. Los estudios llevados a cabo han determinado que dichas concentraciones se deben a las características radioisotópicas terra rossa; un tipo de paleosol que se genera como un producto secundario residual de la disolución de carbonatos y que se encuentra difundido a través de las fisuras del acuífero y de las cavidades del karst.Estos tipo especiales de suelo se caracterizan por un contenido de arcilla bastante alto (80–95%) y, aunque variable, su actividad $^{226}$Ra específica (70–147 Bq/kg) es de todas formas considerablemente mayor que la de las areniscas (~50 Bq/kg). De hecho, hay diferencias sustanciales en las concentraciones de $^{222}$Rn encontradas en las aguas que tienen contacto con este tipo de roca y paleosol. La disolución parcial de algunas muestras de roca carbonatada en el laboratorio confirmó que la $^{226}$Ra liberada por la roca disuelta se acumula primariamente en los depósitos de suelo residuales, especialmente en los que contienen gránulos finos. Este también ha sido el resultado de experimentos conducidos en 15 muestras de terra rossa recogidos en la región. Esto indica que hay una correlación estrecha entre la actividad $^{226}$Ra específica que varía según la etapa de degradación.Se ha encontrado que las concentraciones de $^{222}$Rn en las aguas de la región dependen de la actividad $^{226}$Ra de terra rossa específica, no la cantidad de terra rossa.Revisiones en terreno han confirmado la posibilidad de utilizar $^{226}$Ra y $^{222}$Rn como marcadores naturales para definir problemas hidrogeológicos en ambientes especiales tales como el karst. Se pueden utilizar para distinguir las diferentes zonas de agua al interior del acuífero; para analizar la influencia de la marea en manatiales costeros; para determinar la dirección de flujo en la cercanía de un pozo; para reconocer, en relación con el ciclo hidrogeológico del agua subterránea, los procesos de recarga y de decrecimiento progresivo de niveles hídricos de aguas subterráneas; para derivar indicaciones sobre la travectoria de los flujos subterráneos y sobre la ocurrencia de fisuras y cavidades kársticas en el acuífero carbonatado.
Starting Page	493
Ending Page	505
Page Count	13
File Format	PDF
ISSN	14312174
Journal	Hydrogeology Journal
Volume Number	13
Issue Number	3
e-ISSN	14350157
Language	English
Publisher	Springer-Verlag
Publisher Date	2005-01-13
Publisher Institution	International Association of Hydrogeologists
Publisher Place	Berlin, Heidelberg
Access Restriction	One Nation One Subscription (ONOS)
Subject Keyword	Hydrogeology Carbonate karst aquifer Terra Rossa Radium Radon
Content Type	Text
Resource Type	Article
Subject	Earth and Planetary Sciences Water Science and Technology

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