Radiuin-226 and Radon-222 in the Coastal Waters of West Florida: High Concentrations and Atmospheric Degassing

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

On the central portion of the west Florida continental shelf, radionuclide activities show unusually wide variations: radium-226 activities up to 350 disintegrations per minute per 100 liters, radon-222 activities up to 1300 disintegrations per minute per 100 liters, and deficiencies of radon-222 as low as –10 disintegrations per minute per 100 liters. Florida's phosphate-rich strata seem to be the principal source of the radionuclides, with the transfer occurring directly from sediments or indirectly in streams, ground-water flow, and geothermal springs. Winter storm fronts may enhance radon degassing in the shelf waters.

Original languageAmerican English
JournalScience
Volume215
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 1982

Disciplines

  • Life Sciences

Cite this