A NOVEL PASSIVE RADON DETECTOR FOR HYDROGEOLOGIC CHARACTERIZATION

Radon occurrence and distribution at the 10⁰ to 10³ meter scale is poorly characterized. Our research employs an innovative passive detector monitoring technique for rapidly assessing radon levels in groundwater. Radon can serve as an effective environmental tracer for groundwater flow and contamination due to its radioactive decay properties, rapid transport in groundwater, and ease of measurement. Radon readily off-gasses from groundwater in fractures and voids (such as a well bore) and due to its short half-life, radon anomalies can indicate important flow paths and hydraulic connection with natural or technologically enhanced radiogenic source materials. Our novel detectors have been deployed in diverse geologic settings: a former surface and underground uranium mine and mill located on the Colorado Plateau in Arizona (sedimentary rocks), a landfill overlying fractured granite in Massachusetts, and a former uranium mining site located in Okanagan Highlands region (Columbia Plateau) of Washington state (igneous and metamorphic rocks). We will discuss preliminary findings, ongoing work, and future research.