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The US Geological Survey currently is conducting a study in cooperation with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) to evaluate thefate of the radium (Ra) passing through individual ion-exchange treatment units (treating water fromprivate wells) in areas of the State underlain by the Kirkwood-Cohansey and the Potomac-Raritan-Magothy aquifer systems. Water from the Potomac-Raritan-Magothy aquifer system ischemically complex (high dissolved-solids content) and contains abundant iron (up to 32milligrams per liter), whereas low-ionic-strength, iron-poor water is typical of the Kirkwood-Cohansey aquifer system. The study was undertaken to determine: the proportion of Ra thateventually returns to shallow groundwater from the septic leach field; the mass proportion ofRa that ultimately is retained in septic sludge and hauled to publicly owned treatment works (POTWs); and, whether theseproportions differ depending on water quality type or which aquifer is the source of the drinkingwater. Differences between Ra concentrations in treated water or in backwash brine in iron-richareas and those in areas where water contains less iron are not known. At each domestic-well testsite, water samples are being collected at five locations: the water-supply well (untreated groundwater); the treatment system (treated drinking water and backwash brine); the septic system(septage); and a downgradient shallow observation well (untreated groundwater). Samples areanalyzed for gross alpha-particle activity (within the 48-hour holding time) and forconcentrations of Ra-226, Ra-228, calcium, iron, chloride, and nitrate. Includes extended abstract only.

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Edition: Vol. - No. Published: 11/02/2003 Number of Pages: 2File Size: 1 file , 180 KB