Showing papers by "Geological Survey of Sweden published in 1981"

Radon gas—A radiation hazard from radioactive bedrock and building materials

Abstract: Exposure to radioactive materials is not a problem solely connected with nuclear energy or nuclear weapons. The past year has witnessed real concern in Sweden regarding natural radiation hazards in the everyday environment, in particular exposure to high levels of radon gas and radon daughter products in dwellings. The source for the radon can be either building materials containing higher than normal amounts of radioactive elements, or bedrock and/or drift cover with relatively high concentraions of uranium.

Parasitism on Ordovician Chitinozoa

Abstract: Borings are common in chitinozoans. They are cylindrical or conical, widening towards the outer surface of the vesicle wall. It is suggested that the cylindrical borings were probably caused by bacteria. Actinomycota and lower Fungi including at least Chytridiomycota, and the conical borings mainly by chytridia. Two types of spore-like bodies, operculate and non-operculate, have been found in situ on two chitinozoan species. The spore-like bodies are of about the same size as the supposed boring organisms in chitinozoans but are never found in association with the borings. They are interpreted as cysts of ectoparasitic nannoorganisms that resemble ciliates and amoebae, and their possible use for determining the biochemical composition of the chitinozoans is briefly discussed.

A Comparison of In Situ Radionuclide Migration Studies in the Studsvik Area and Laboratory Measurements

Abstract: A series of in-situ radionuclide migration tests are in progress in the Studsvik area on the Swedish east coast. Three well defined flowpaths have been located and characterized using non-sorbing tracers (I-131 and H-3), and one of these pathways have been used for a study of the migration of sorbing elements (Sr-85). Laboratory sorption studies with Sr-85 have been performed on materials (rock-water) from the same location as the field tests and with variation of parameters not easily varied in-situ (e.g. pH and nuclide concentration). A fairly good correlation was obtained between retention in natural fractures (field experiment) and laboratory column studies, although the latter were performed on crushed samples of whole rock (retention factors 15 – 30).

Some Effects on Swedish Groundwaters from Diffuse Polluting Sources Illustrated by Data from the National Groundwater Monitoring Program

Abstract: The paper presents the groundwater monitoring program executed by the Geological Survey of Sweden in cooperation with the Swedish Environmental Protection Board. One of the main aims of the program is to study the effects of diffuse pollution by precipitation and land use. Using data from the monitoring program as a background, some pollution problems are discussed. One of the most serious environmental problems in Sweden is the acidification of natural waters. The acidification has mainly struck surface waters, but effects on groundwater have been reported. The problems are expected to increase in the future. The effects of the use of fertilizer in farming and forestry, as well as changes in groundwater quality due to clear-cutting of forests are also discussed briefly.