RADON IN WATERS FROM HEALTH RESORTS OF THE SUDETY MOUNTAINS (SW POLAND)

This paper discusses the geological background related to the presence of selected radon waters in the Sudety Mountains. Special attention i s paid to radon waters whose chemical composition is formed within met amorphic rocks (mainly gneisses). The physical, chemical, and isotopic characteristics of the waters of Ladek Zdroj, Czerniawa Zdroj and Swi eradow Zdroj are presented. The rocks at these locations are briefly c haracterized by their U, Th, and Ra contents. It was found that the ba sic role in enrichment of these waters with radon is played by the 100 m deep near-surface zone. This is related to the increased emanation coefficient in this zone as a consequence of weathering processes. It is also shown that the residence time of water in the rocks is not imp ortant for radon genesis. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.