Mobilization of Radium and Radon by Deicing Salt Contamination of Groundwater

Elevated radium (Ra) concentrations have been observed in aquifers with high naturally occurring salinity. The flux of radon (Rn) gas from the decay of Ra out of saline aquifers can be enhanced owing to salting-out effects. This raises the issue as to whether increased salinization of groundwater from road deicing practices can enhance Ra and Rn mobility to the extent that they become a human health concern. Continued use of salt (NaCl) as a road deicing agent has resulted in a gradual salinization of groundwater systems in snow-affected regions. This study presents groundwater data from a monitoring well field installed around a permeable pavement parking lot at the University of Connecticut, Storrs campus. The data suggest a connection between road salting and (a) the mobilization of dissolved Ra as well as (b) enhanced Rn gas flux from the water table. A positive correlation (R-2 = 0.92) was identified between dissolved Na+ and isotopes of Ra; a negative relationship was observed between specific conductance and dissolved Rn. In two monitoring locations, concentrations of Ra were detected that exceeded the EPA MCL of 5 pCi/L. Concentrations of Rn in the groundwater were found to be at a level that theoretically could generate gas concentrations in the vadose zone that exceed the indoor Rn standard by orders of magnitude. Given these findings, it appears that salt contamination of groundwater could increase the potential for human exposure to these radioactive and carcinogenic elements.