Uranium isotopes in mineral waters of the Polish Carpathians

Uranium isotopes and other isotopic tracers (tritium, stable isotopes) were investigated in selected mineral and therapeutic waters located in the Polish Carpathians. In total, 32 wells and springs were studied. They represent waters of different mineralization and different origin. In general, the investigated waters are poor in uranium. Its content and isotope activity ratios seem to be controlled mainly by redox conditions and availability of uranium in the rock matrix. In some cases very high uranium activity ratios were detected. They may originate from fluctuations of the redox front induced by changes in exploitation. The paper discusses also methodological issues related to analyses of isotopic composition of uranium in highly mineralized and CO2-rich waters. (author)