Radon-222 and related activities in surface waters of the English Lake District

Activities of radon-222 in selected surface waters of the English Lake District have been determined. Very wide variations were observed. The activity present in lakes and streams depends on the nature of the bedrock or sediment, the presence of faulting, the degree of turbulence, and the supply of fresh water from tributaries and ground waters. Radium-226 and uranium-238 activities were found to be comparable but in no case was it found that radon-222 is significantly supported by dissolved radium-226.