Research of the Radioactive and Physico-Chemical Characterisitcs of Thermal Ground Waters in the Slovak Republic and Transcarpathian Region, Ukraine

Authors: 

Kseniia Bystrevska, Valentina Pidlisnyuk and Stefan Aschenbrenner

Kseniia Bystrevska-1, Valentina Pidlisnyuk-1 and Stefan Aschenbrenner-2

  1. Department of the Environment, Faculty of Natural Resources, Matej Bel University in Banska Bystrica, 55, Tajovskeho str., 97401 Banska Bystrica, the Slovak Republic; valentina.pidlisnyuk@umb.sk
  2. Slovak Water Management Committee, branch in Banska Bystrica, 69, Partizanska cesta , 97498 Banska Bystrica, the Slovak Republic

The thermal ground waters used for spa complexes in Zilinsky and Banskobystricky regions in the Slovak Republic and in Beregovo, Transcarpathian region, Western Ukraine, were analyzed for gamma-radiation level, content of selected radioactive elements and physico-chemical characteristics. Comparative analysis of the thermal ground waters showed that waters in Beregovo had the highest radiation level in terms of gamma spectrum, which was about two times higher than the limit; in contrast, radiation levels of research sites in the Slovak Republic were within Slovakian standard limits. The concentrations of radioactive elements Ra226 and U in the thermal ground waters in Beregovo, Ukraine and in Turčianske Teplice, the Slovak Republic were within the limit. 
Researched thermal ground waters in the Slovak Republic and Ukraine had similarities in geomorphological characteristics and tectonic background. However, physico-chemical characteristics of waters were diverse: while SO42- and HPO42- concentrations were close for all research tests, waters in Beregovo showed highest levels of concentrations of Ca2+, Na+, Fe2+, NH4+, and Cl- ions concentrations. Recommendations on improvement of the environmental situation at the research sites and further use with respect to sustainability were developed.
 

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