Scientists have learned to predict the content of uranium in water

Uranium is one of the three main harmful natural pollutants in groundwater, along with arsenic and chromium.

Radioactive metal element atconsumption in large quantities causes kidney damage and an increased risk of cancer. It is commonly found in semi-arid and arid environments around the world.

The study focuses onthe chemical effects of groundwater recharge, that is, the process of rain seepage into the soil and its movement down into the underlying aquifers. As rainwater seeps down, its chemical composition changes as it interacts with the earth's environment. Pumping water also affects the dynamics of the aquifer. This can change the chemical composition of soil and sedimentary rocks. And also how uranium is distributed between particulate matter (sediment) and water.

In their study, scientists found that ifAs water accumulates more calcium during its "journey" and also becomes more alkaline, it can attract uranium and pollute aquifers.

However, according to researchers, factorsaffecting the process of uranium release from sediments into groundwater arise within 1.8 m of the upper soil layer. The hazardous area can simply be bypassed when building and laying aquifers.

The new methodology gives water managers an easy way to understand and predict what will affect uranium concentrations in groundwater at scale.

Scientists emphasize that the study also solves the problem with uranium before its concentrations harm people, and the reconstruction of houses and entire settlements will become too costly.

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