title: Distribution and potential health risk of groundwater uranium in Korea.
abstract: Chronic exposure even to extremely low specific radioactivity of natural uranium in groundwater results in kidney problems and potential toxicity in bones. This study was conducted to assess the potential health risk via intake of the groundwater containing uranium, based on the determination of the uranium occurrence in groundwater. The groundwater was investigated from a total of 4140 wells in Korea. Most of the groundwater samples showed neutral pH and (sub-)oxic condition that was influenced by the mixing with shallow groundwater due to long-screened (open) wells. High uranium contents exceeding the WHO guideline level of 30 μg L(-1) were observed in the 160 wells located mainly in the plutonic bedrock regions. The statistical analysis suggested that the uranium component was present in groundwater by desorption and re-dissolution processes. Predominant uranium phases were estimated to uranyl carbonates under the Korean groundwater circumstances. These mobile forms of uranium and oxic condition facilitate the increase of potential health risk downgradient. In particular, long-term intake of groundwater containing >200 μg U L(-1) may induce internal exposure to radiation as well as the effects of chemical toxicity. These high uranium concentrations were found in twenty four sampling wells of rural areas in this study, and they were mainly used for drinking. Therefore, the high-level uranium wells and neighboring areas must be properly managed and monitored to reduce the exposure risk for the residents by drinking groundwater.
authors: Division of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI), Cheongju, 28119, Republic of Korea; Department of Earth System Sciences, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea.
authors: Woosik
authors: W
authors: Shin
authors: Korea Agency for Infrastructure Technology Advancement (KAIA), Anyang, 14066, Republic of Korea.
authors: Jungsun
authors: J
authors: Oh
authors: Division of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI), Cheongju, 28119, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: schoung@kbsi.re.kr.
authors: Sungwook
authors: S
authors: Choung
authors: Geologic Environment Division, Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM), Daejeon, 34132, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: cbw@kigam.re.kr.
authors: Byong-Wook
authors: BW
authors: Cho
authors: Division of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI), Cheongju, 28119, Republic of Korea.
authors: Kwang-Sik
authors: KS
authors: Lee
authors: Geologic Environment Division, Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM), Daejeon, 34132, Republic of Korea.
authors: Uk
authors: U
authors: Yun
authors: Department of Earth System Sciences, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea.
authors: Nam-Chil
authors: NC
authors: Woo
authors: Soil and Groundwater Research Division, National Institute Environmental Research (NIER), Incheon, 22689, Republic of Korea.
authors: Hyun Koo
authors: HK
authors: Kim
mesh_terms: D060766:Drinking Water / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D060587:Groundwater / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D056910:Republic of Korea; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods; D014501:Uranium / Q000032:analysis*; D014875:Water Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis*; D060986:Water Wells
chemical_list: D060766:Drinking Water; D014875:Water Pollutants, Radioactive; D014501:Uranium
keywords: Chemical toxicity; Groundwater; Health risk; Radiological risk; Uranium