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 language | American English |
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Journal | Science |
Volume | 215 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 1 1982 |
Disciplines
- Life Sciences