Groundwater Radon-222 Concentrations in Antelope Creek, Idaho:Measurement and Interpolation

Abstract

Groundwater samples were collected from eight wells in remote Antelope Creek valley, Idaho. Seven out of eight locations showed that groundwater 222 Rn concentrations were much greater than 11 Bq/L (300 pCi/L), a maximum contaminant level (MCL) proposed by United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Rock and soil samples collected near the sampling wells revealed that 238 U contents were between 0.55 to 6.41 ppm. Minerals collected from different regions of the country with similar 238 U contents also showed high concentrations of 222 Rn in the groundwater. An interpretation technique using a Geographic Information System (GIS) software with available information also indicated a clear correlation between the rock types and 222 Rn concentrations in the groundwater. Several cancer rates near the study area reported to be higher than national average. Many factors can be affecting 222 Rn in the groundwater, what may these factors be in the study area and if the 222 Rn concentration is a contributing factor to certain high cancer rates in the area remain to be subjects of interest.