Using 222Rn to examine groundwater/surface discharge interaction in the Rio Grande de Manati, Puerto Rico

²²²Rn was used in the karst drainage basin of the Rio Grande de Manati in Puerto Rico to study groundwater/surface flow relationships. Locations of groundwater influx along two sections of the Rio Grande de Manati were identified. The ²²²Rn measurements were used together with stream discharge data in a mass balance equation to quantify the groundwater inputs. The investigation established that both of the sections of the Rio Manati surveyed not only gained groundwater, but lost surface flow. It was calculated that the river gained about 1.2m³s⁻¹ and lost 0.5m³s⁻¹ to the aquifer between Ciales and United States Geological Survey gauging station 5. Between United States Geological Survey gauging stations 6 and 7, groundwater influx and stream flow loss occurred simultaneously with groundwater inputs equalling surface discharge losses of 4m³s⁻¹. The study successfully demonstrated the innovative application of ²²²Rn as a geochemical tracer in examining groundwater/surface flow relationships in a karst system.