Integrated environmental and health assessment from hydrogeochemistry and radiogeology parameters of hydrothermal spring attractions in Southern Thailand.
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Abstract
The present study aimed to investigate the hydrogeochemical patterns and contamination of the radiogeology, especially radon activity, related to geothermal aquifer properties and to perform a risk assessment of annual effective doses covering all hydrothermal spring attractions in Southern Thailand. Radon is an established lung carcinogen; especially longer term exposure to radioactive radon through inhalation could be a cause of lung cancer risk. Altogether 22 hydrothermal spring samples were collected from the six hydrothermal provinces in Southern Thailand in early November of 2023. Geochemical data represented by calcium chloride and sodium chloride type, most of which were influenced by seawater intrusion. In addition, the hydrothermal springs that located along local fault zones were mainly controlled by water‒rock interactions, indicating that hydrothermal spring quality was influenced by weathering. Hydrothermal springs located along the coastlines of the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea were dominated by evaporation. Radon activity concentrations show value levels from 9 Bq/L (PG1) to 7,070 Bq/L (SR3), with an average of 580 Bq/L. Radon levels of hydrothermal spring attractions can be divided into three categories: (a) low radon levels below 100 Bq/L, (b) moderate to high radon levels between 100 and 580 Bq/L, and (c) very high radon levels greater than 580 Bq/L. The total annual effective doses for adults due to ingestion and dominantly inhalation of radon at hydrothermal spring attractions varied from 0.01 to 19.30 mSv/year. These results highlight the usefulness of this method as an essential tool for delineating radon concentrations, which could be used to introduce guidelines for health risk assessment.
期刊介绍：
Environmental Geochemistry and Health publishes original research papers and review papers across the broad field of environmental geochemistry. Environmental geochemistry and health establishes and explains links between the natural or disturbed chemical composition of the earth’s surface and the health of plants, animals and people.
Beneficial elements regulate or promote enzymatic and hormonal activity whereas other elements may be toxic. Bedrock geochemistry controls the composition of soil and hence that of water and vegetation. Environmental issues, such as pollution, arising from the extraction and use of mineral resources, are discussed. The effects of contaminants introduced into the earth’s geochemical systems are examined. Geochemical surveys of soil, water and plants show how major and trace elements are distributed geographically. Associated epidemiological studies reveal the possibility of causal links between the natural or disturbed geochemical environment and disease. Experimental research illuminates the nature or consequences of natural or disturbed geochemical processes.
The journal particularly welcomes novel research linking environmental geochemistry and health issues on such topics as: heavy metals (including mercury), persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and mixed chemicals emitted through human activities, such as uncontrolled recycling of electronic-waste; waste recycling; surface-atmospheric interaction processes (natural and anthropogenic emissions, vertical transport, deposition, and physical-chemical interaction) of gases and aerosols; phytoremediation/restoration of contaminated sites; food contamination and safety; environmental effects of medicines; effects and toxicity of mixed pollutants; speciation of heavy metals/metalloids; effects of mining; disturbed geochemistry from human behavior, natural or man-made hazards; particle and nanoparticle toxicology; risk and the vulnerability of populations, etc.
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