Occurrence and geochemistry of lead-210 and polonium-210 radionuclides in public-drinking-water supplies from principal aquifers of the United States
On the basis of lifetime cancer risks, lead-210 (210Pb) and polonium-210 (210Po) ≥ 1.0 and 0.7 pCi/L (picocuries per liter), respectively, in drinking-water supplies may pose human-health concerns. 210Pb and 210Po were detected at concentrations greater than these thresholds at 3.7 and 1.5%, respectively, of filtered untreated groundwater samples from 1263 public-supply wells in 19 principal aquifers across the United States. Nationally, 72% of samples with radon-222 (222Rn) concentrations > 4000 pCi/L had 210Pb ≥ 1.0 pCi/L. 210Pb is mobilized by alpha recoil associated with the decay of 222Rn and short-lived progeny. 210Pb concentrations ≥ 1.0 pCi/L occurred most frequently where acidic groundwaters inhibited 210Pb readsorption (felsic-crystalline rocks) and where reducing alkaline conditions favored dissolution of iron–manganese- (Fe–Mn-) oxyhydroxides (which adsorb 210Pb) and formation of lead–carbonate complexes (enhancing lead (Pb) mobility). 210Po concentrations ≥ 0.7 pCi/L occurred almost exclusively in confined Coastal Plain aquifers where old (low percent-modern carbon-14) groundwaters were reducing, with high pH (>7.5) and high sodium/chloride (Na/Cl) ratios resulting from cation exchange. In high-pH environments, aqueous polonium (Po) is poorly sorbed, occurring as dihydrogen polonate (H2PoO3(aq)) or, under strongly reducing conditions, as a hydrogen-polonide anion (HPo–). Fe–Mn- and sulfate-reduction and cation-exchange processes may mobilize polonium from mineral surfaces. Po2+ occurrence in low-to-neutral-pH waters is attenuated by adsorption.
Citation Information
Publication Year | 2020 |
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Title | Occurrence and geochemistry of lead-210 and polonium-210 radionuclides in public-drinking-water supplies from principal aquifers of the United States |
DOI | 10.1021/acs.est.0c00192 |
Authors | Zoltan Szabo, Paul Stackelberg, Charles A. Cravotta |
Publication Type | Article |
Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
Series Title | Environmental Science Technology |
Index ID | 70220875 |
Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
USGS Organization | Pennsylvania Water Science Center; National Water Quality Program |