Distribution of 222Rn in seawater intrusion area and its implications on tracing submarine groundwater discharge on the upper Gulf of Thailand

Radon (222Rn) has been widely employed as a tracer for estimating submarine groundwater discharge (SGD). However, the uncertainty of the SGD estimation remains significant, due to the spatial variability of radon in groundwater. In this study, we analyzed the hydrochemical properties of seawater and coastal groundwater in the Upper Gulf of Thailand and discussed the distribution characteristics of 222Rn in aquifers in terms of aquifer lithology, groundwater system recharge conditions, and water retention time. The results suggested that the residence time of groundwater and the process of groundwater salinization have the greatest impact on the distribution of 222Rn activity. A 222Rn mass balance model, synthesizing the distribution characteristics of 222Rn in groundwater and tidal influences on SGD, was built to estimate the submarine groundwater discharge in the Upper Gulf of Thailand. The result showed that the SGD flux of the Upper Gulf of Thailand was 0.0203 m/d. Moreover, there is a positive correlation between tidal height and the activity of 222Rn in groundwater. The SGD observed during the low tide was about 1.25 times higher than that observed during the high tide. This may influence the marine geochemical cycles of elements and their impact on marine ecosystems.