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Variability of 222Rn in the sandy aquifer of Buenos Aires coast

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Abstract

222Rn is widely used as a tracer to detect and calculate submarine groundwater discharge in coastal zones, rivers and lakes. Relatively few investigations, however, have used this element for other applications in hydrogeology. We analyze the relationship between 222Rn activity in groundwater and variations in the water cycle in the sandy aquifer of Buenos Aires coast, Argentina. Groundwater levels, electrical conductivity and 222Rn activity were measured in situ in wells in March 2016 and November 2018, representing two different hydrological conditions. Groundwater flow maps were drawn, hydrological gradients and flux velocities were calculated. An inverse correlation between 222Rn activity and recharge conditions was found. Lower water surplus shows higher 222Rn activity and vice versa, potentially due to dilution of high 222Rn activity water with ‘newer’ lower activity recent recharge. A variability in 222Rn spatial distribution was identified along the sand dune barrier. A correlation between 222Rn and groundwater electrical conductivity was not observed.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica, Grant number PICT 2016–2522, 2017–2020 and Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Grant number PPID/N021, 2017–2018. The authors would like to thank the Cooperativa de Provisión de Obras y Servicios Públicos de San Clemente del Tuyú Ltda. for their collaboration as well as the reviewers and editors for the valuable comments that improved the quality of the manuscript.

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  1. CONICET, CEIDE, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo, Universidad Nacional de La Plata (UNLP), 64 nº 3, 1900, La Plata, Argentina

    Silvina Carretero, Leandro Rodrigues Capítulo & Eduardo Kruse

  2. Sacred Heart University in Dingle, Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium, The Wood, Farrannakilla, Dingle, Co., Dingle, Kerry, Ireland

    John Rapaglia

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  1. Silvina Carretero
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  2. John Rapaglia
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  3. Leandro Rodrigues Capítulo
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  4. Eduardo Kruse
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Correspondence to Silvina Carretero.

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This article is a part of the Topical Collection in Environmental Earth Sciences on “Advances in Environmental Geochemistry” guest edited by Dr. Eleanor Carol, Dr. Lucia Santucci and Dr. Lia Botto.

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Carretero, S., Rapaglia, J., Rodrigues Capítulo, L. et al. Variability of 222Rn in the sandy aquifer of Buenos Aires coast. Environ Earth Sci 80, 109 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-021-09388-x

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