222Radon reduction in small-scale water supply systems using low-technology reduction methods in the Republic of Korea: A field research and mass balance model approach

Youngyeon Kim; Youngho Jang; Hyeon Kim; Hyungsoon Shin; Rajendra Singh; Keugtae Kim

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.161820

²²²Radon reduction in small-scale water supply systems using low-technology reduction methods in the Republic of Korea: A field research and mass balance model approach

Sci Total Environ. 2023 Apr 15:869:161820. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.161820. Epub 2023 Jan 25.

Authors

Youngyeon Kim¹, Youngho Jang¹, Hyeon Kim¹, Hyungsoon Shin¹, Rajendra Singh², Keugtae Kim³

Affiliations

¹ Gyeonggi-do Institute of Health & Environment, Republic of Korea.
² Department of Environmental & Energy Engineering, University of Suwon, 17 Wauan-gil, Bongdam-eup, Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi-do 18323, Republic of Korea.
³ Department of Environmental & Energy Engineering, University of Suwon, 17 Wauan-gil, Bongdam-eup, Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi-do 18323, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: kkt38@suwon.ac.kr.

PMID: 36707002
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.161820

Abstract

In rural areas, low-technology radon reduction methods are essential for safe access to clean groundwater. This study monitored the radon reduction rates in small-scale groundwater-based water supply systems in the Republic of Korea and also presented a mass balance equation using physical environmental conditions from three radon reduction methods. The mass balance results showed that the radon reduction rate would be affected by the groundwater flow rate (m³/day), capacity of the drainage facility (m³), surface area of air-water interface (m²), air-water ratio (dimensionless), and ventilation system. The radon reduction order was as follows: simultaneously powered and non-powered aeration method (free-fall (60.0 %) > aeration (19.6 %) > decay (0.9 %) > diffusion (0.2 %)), low-technology non-powered aeration (free-fall (60.0 %) > decay (3.4 %) > diffusion (0.9 %)), and only storage (free-fall (35.5 %) > decay (4.4 %) > diffusion (1.1 %)). Overall, non-powered aeration using the maximum free-fall effect has the potential for use as a low-technology reduction method and natural decay during water storage is the most important factor underlying seasonal variations in the reduction effect.

Keywords: (222)Rn; Groundwater; Mass balance; Natural radioactive material; Small-scale water supply system.