Occurrence of Radium-224, Radium-226 and Radium-228 in Water from the Vincentown and Wenonah-Mount Laurel Aquifers, the Englishtown Aquifer System, and the Hornerstown and Red Bank Sands, Southwestern and South-Central New Jersey

This report describes the occurrence of gross alpha-particle radioactivity and that of the short-lived isotope of radium, Ra-224 in water in the lesser aquifers in southwestern and south-central New Jersey and compare its distribution to that of the radium isotopes Ra-226 and Ra-228. From 1999 to 2001, water samples were collected from 39 wells. The wells are distributed almost equally among the Vincentown and Wenonah-Mount Laurel aquifers, and the Englishtown aquifer system; one and two samples were collected from the Hornerstown and Red Bank Sands, respectively. Radionuclide concentrations and those of ancillary constituents are detailed in tables. Geological, hydrological, geochemical, and land-use factors that could affect the occurrence of these radionuclides in the water are statistically evaluated. The relations between the occurrence of the radium radionuclides and the concentrations of nitrate in, and the pH of water from, the Vincentown and Wenonah-Mount Laurel aquifers and the Englishtown aquifer system are determined. Lastly, radionuclide distribution in the subregional aquifers is compared to that in the Kirkwood-Cohansey aquifer system.Prepared in cooperation with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. Scientific Investigations Report 2007-5064Purpose: To describe the occurrence of gross alpha-particle radioactivity and that of the short-lived isotope of radium, Ra-224 in water in the lesser aquifers in southwestern and south-central New Jersey and compare its distribution to that of the radium isotopes Ra-226 and Ra-228