Influence of mining activity on distribution of radium in the natural environment

Recent investigations indicated that not only uranium mining but also other mining activities cause radioactive pollution of the natural environment. This has been also found in coal mining areas of West Germany and Poland. In the Upper Silesian Coal Basin radium bearing waters with 226Ra concentration reaching 270 kBq/m3 are observed. The water pumped out of mines increases radium concentration in brooks and rivers. Since it often contains Ba2+ ions, radioactive precipitates are formed and deposited throughout river beds. Concentration of 226Ra in the deposits is sometimes as high as 130 kBq/kg. High radium content in soil and in plants was also observed. (author)