Study on radon concentration and physicochemical parameters in groundwater of tobacco-growing villages around Periyapatna Taluk, Karnataka State, India

Abstract The radon concentration and physicochemical parameters in groundwater of some villages around Periyapatna Taluk in Karnataka state have been investigated by using the emanometry technique and standard methods. The average values of radon concentration in groundwater and the total annual effective dose to the public of the study area are less than the safe limit recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR), and the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) report. The radon concentration in the bore well water of the study area is higher than that in the open well water, with elevated levels, particularly in regions underlain by granitic gneiss and charnockite formations. Some physicochemical parameters, such as total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), and nitrates (NO 3 − ) in groundwater exceeded safe level limits, whereas Cl − , So 4 2− and F − are below the safe level limit, and pH is within the safe level limit recommended by the WHO and Bureau of Indian Standards limits. The physicochemical parameters, such as total dissolved solids (TDS), EC, nitrate, fluoride, and chloride, have a positive correlation with radon concentration. In contrast, sulfate and pH have a negative correlation with radon concentration. The charnockite rocks attributed to these regions show higher radon concentrations compared to those attributed to areas of gneiss and amphibolites. The data indicate that the excessive use of fertilizers by farmers has an impact on increasing radon concentration in groundwater. The results of the radon concentration and physicochemical parameters are systematically presented and analyzed in this paper.