Concentrations and environmental fate of Ra in cation-exchange regeneration brine waste disposed to septic tanks and accumulation in sludge, New Jersey Coastal Plain, USA

Szabó, Zoltán; Jacobsen, Eric; Kræmer, Thomas; Parsa, Bahman

doi:10.1016/j.jenvrad.2007.11.009

Cited by 8 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 20 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…An initial phase of study of treatment of acidic water bearing Ra determined the fate of Ra within the water softening treatment system and septic tank (Szabo et al, 2008). Concentrations of combined Ra were determined in the (raw) ground water, treated drinking water, regeneration brine waste, septic-tank effluent, and settled sludge in the septic tank.…”

Section: Previous Assessments In the Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The concentration of Ra in the backwash brine waste typically was enriched about 30-fold relative to the concentration in untreated ground water (maximum combined Ra concentration, 81.2 Bq L À1 (2200 pCi L À1 )). The median concentration ratios of combined Ra in regeneration brine wastes relative to the septic-tank effluents was 35, and estimated mass ratios near 1 indicated return of much of the Ra in the liquid brine to the septic tank (Szabo et al, 2008). Radium in the liquid effluent is lost to the sludge layer by the settling of Ra-sorbing particles (Szabo et al, 2008), but the Ra-accumulation rate in the sludge, while notable, was small enough (about 5% of the mass) that the most substantial fraction of the Ra introduced to the septic tank in regularly recurring pulses of the regeneration brine waste migrated to the leachfield.…”

Section: Previous Assessments In the Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Water softeners (cation-exchange units) are widely available and are convenient whole-house Ra treatment units for domesticwell water, because the units efficiently remove Ra (about 90% removals; Lucas, 1987;Szabo et al, 2008) along with constituents that cause water hardness, such as calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg), as well as iron (Fe). The findings regarding widespread elevated Ra concentrations in ground water used as sources of drinking waters in the Atlantic Coastal Plain (Bolton et al, 2000), including New Jersey (Kozinski et al, 1995;Szabo et al, 2005), as well as occasionally elsewhere in the United States (Focazio et al, 2001), have led to the increased use of water softeners for purposes of Ra removal, and not just water softening (NJDEP, 2004).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Proper maintenance includes regular regeneration of the capacity of the cation-exchange media with sodium (Na) or potassium (K) chloride (Cl) brine solution (Bowie, 1995). The waste (regeneration) brines bearing large concentrations of Ra (maximum, 81.2 Bq L À1 ; Szabo et al, 2008) commonly are flushed to septic systems. It is assumed that there they are diluted and dispersed to the environment.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…1) after episodic disposal of the water-softener regeneration brine wastes into septic systems and discharge of the effluent to the environment. The brines were described by Szabo et al (2008). Sampling at the water table downgradient from the leachfields described in this article was designed to determine the Ra concentrations there, and to assess if the Ra remained mobile or was sequestered in the vadose-zone soil and sediment after septic-tank effluent discharged to the leachfield.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Environmental fate of Ra in cation-exchange regeneration brine waste disposed to septic tanks, New Jersey Coastal Plain, USA: migration to the water table

Szabó

Jacobsen

Kræmer

et al. 2010

Journal of Environmental Radioactivity

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Section: Previous Assessments In the Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Previous Assessments In the Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Environmental fate of Ra in cation-exchange regeneration brine waste disposed to septic tanks, New Jersey Coastal Plain, USA: migration to the water table

Szabó

Jacobsen

Kræmer

et al. 2010

Journal of Environmental Radioactivity

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Microparticles of arsenic water treatment media and water softener resin observed in treated water at private wells

Rockafellow‐Baldoni,

Spayd,

Robson

2024

Water Environment Research

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Observation of arsenic water treatment adsorption media in the treated water of several homes with high arsenic private wells led to the hypothesis that treatment media was escaping the treatment systems and entering the plumbing and drinking water. Our research at 62 homes identified that microparticles of arsenic water treatment media and/or water softener resin had escaped the treatment system in 71% of the homes. This is a potential health hazard as ingesting arsenic treatment media or water softener resin may lead to an elevated ingestion exposure to arsenic and other contaminants. Potential causes of media escape from the treatment systems include media observed to be smaller in size than specifications and media breaking into smaller pieces. One interim solution to media escape is installation of a post‐treatment sediment filter. New developments in media durability or treatment system design and maintenance may be needed to prevent media escaping into drinking water.Practitioner Points Arsenic in private wells is often treated with point‐of‐entry whole house adsorption systems. Arsenic adsorption treatment media and/or water softener resin was observed in treated water at 44 of 62 homes inspected. Water treatment media escaping into treated water is a potential hazardous exposure pathway. Potential causes and solutions are discussed.

show abstract

Occurrence and source identification of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in the Metedeconk River Watershed, New Jersey

Procopio

Karl

Goodrow

et al. 2017

Environ Sci Pollut Res

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The Brick Township Municipal Utilities Authority (BTMUA), which relies on the Metedeconk River as its primary source of water supply, initiated a perfluoroalkyl acid (PFAA) source trackdown study in collaboration with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) after discovering that the concentration of one PFAA, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), was elevated at their raw surface water intake. Water samples were collected over eight sampling events between September 2011 and July 2014. Samples included surface water, groundwater, stormwater, sanitary sewer water, and commercial/industrial process water. Each sample was analyzed for ten PFAAs. Results from a set of samples collected from the 80 km South Branch Metedeconk River watershed directed the focus of this study to a 7.5-km area of interest. Within this area, a high concentration of PFAA contamination was documented in a localized zone. Subsequent groundwater sampling led to the identification of a plume of groundwater contamination emanating from an industrial/business park. The suspected source of PFAA detected in the river and drinking water intake was identified to a small industrial facility that used materials containing PFOA. Groundwater PFOA concentrations as high as 70,000 ng/L were found in samples taken within 200 m of the parcel and surface water concentrations as high as 130 ng/L were observed in the river. While various PFAAs were detected in the samples, particularly in groundwater samples, PFOA was identified as the primary contaminant of concern with respect to the river and the BTMUA water supply.

show abstract

Concentrations and environmental fate of Ra in cation-exchange regeneration brine waste disposed to septic tanks and accumulation in sludge, New Jersey Coastal Plain, USA

Cited by 8 publications

References 20 publications

Environmental fate of Ra in cation-exchange regeneration brine waste disposed to septic tanks, New Jersey Coastal Plain, USA: migration to the water table

Environmental fate of Ra in cation-exchange regeneration brine waste disposed to septic tanks, New Jersey Coastal Plain, USA: migration to the water table

Microparticles of arsenic water treatment media and water softener resin observed in treated water at private wells

Occurrence and source identification of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) in the Metedeconk River Watershed, New Jersey

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About