Occurrence of uranium in Swiss drinking water

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) Vol. 86; no. 6; pp. 672 - 679
• Main Authors: Stalder, E., Blanc, A., Haldimann, M., Dudler, V.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.02.2012; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Component analysis; Drinking water; Drinking Water - chemistry; Drinking water and swimming-pool water. Desalination; Environmental geochemistry; Exact sciences and technology; Pollution; Switzerland; Uranium; Uranium - analysis; Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis; Water treatment and pollution; Switzerland; Europe; Drinking water; Component analysis; Uranium; Environmental geochemistry; Actinide; Trace element; Water quality; Geochemistry; Water pollution; Radioisotope; Heavy metal
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2011.11.022

► Uranium concentration of ground and spring water in Switzerland surveyed. ► Problem sources with high natural concentration identified. ► Concentrations compared to national and international guideline values. ► Areas warranting further investigation identified. The results of a nationwide survey of uranium in Swiss drinking water are reported. Elevated concentrations of uranium in groundwater are found mainly in the alpine regions and can be traced back to the geology of the bedrock. Water sources were systematically surveyed and analysed for the presence of Li, B, Si, Sc, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Sr, Cd, Sn, Sb, Ba, Tl, Pb and U and the results were analysed to determine if any correlation with uranium concentration was apparent. No correlation was found. The results are interpreted in relation to the current WHO guideline and those of other countries with a view to determining which areas would be affected if a maximum value were to be adopted and which areas require further investigation. Uranium content varied considerably, from below the limit of detection to almost 100 μg L −1. Of the 5548 data samples, 98% are below the 2004 WHO provisional guideline value of 15 μg L −1 and 99.7% below the revised (2011) value of 30 μg L −1.