Retardation of [sup 238]U and [sup 232]Th decay chain radionuclides in Long Island and Connecticut aquifers

Knowledge of the ability of an aquifer to retard the groundwater transport of toxic or radioactive ions can be inferred from the analysis of groundwater for the radionuclides of the [sup 238]U- and [sup 232]Th-decay chains. Groundwaters of varying chemical composition were analyzed from wells in Long Island, New York, and Connecticut. Aquifer lithologies are arkose, quartz sandstone, granite, and glacial drift. Adsorption (k[sub 1]) and desorption (k[sub 2]) coefficients for Ra and Pb were calculated using [sup 222]Rn activity as a measure of the supply of other [alpha]-recoil nuclides. Laboratory tests of the validity of this assumption were made by measuring the flux of [sup 224]Ra and [sup 222]Rn from aquifer solids. The ratio k[sub 1]/k[sub 2] is the distribution coefficient, K, which is effective equal to R[sub f], the retardation factor. The average value of K for Ra is 6 [times] 10[sup 2] in Long Island aquifers and 5 [times] 10[sup 4] in Connecticut. The distribution coefficient for Pb is 10[sup 4] in Long Island and 10[sup 5] in Connecticut. Results from this and other studies reveal a strong dependence of retardation on pH, f[sub o[sub 2]], and ionic strength that tends to overwhelm any dependence of retardation on lithology. 21 refs., 2 figs., 7 tabs.