Using Radon Analysis to Determine the Aquifer Geology at the Saemtong Spring in Cheorwon, Hantangang River UNESCO Global Geopark: A Case Study of the Water Spider Habitat in Yeoncheon; [라돈 분석을 통한 한탄강 지질공원 내 철원 샘통 대수층 기원 추정 및 연천 물거미 서식지 사례 연구]

초록

This study aimed to identify the origin of aquifer water in the Hantangang River UNESCO Global Geopark based on radon concentrations, with a focus on the Saemtong Spring at Cheorwon and also analyzing the Eundae-ri Water Spider Habitat at Yeoncheon as a comparative case study to validate the findings. To this end, we conducted an integrated analysis of field water quality characteristics (temperature, pH, EC, DO, ORP), major ion concentrations, stable isotopes (δ1 8O- δD), radon concentrations, and core data (ST-1, ST-3, 21YD-02, 21YD-04). Groundwater in the Cheorwon area is divided into two types based on radon concentrations. Samples CSG1 and CSG2 are Na-HCO3 type water and exhibit high radon concentrations of 100,000-1,000,000 Bq/m3, indicating a granitic aquifer origin. In contrast, samples CSG3 and CSG4, along with the samples from Saemtong, are Ca-HCO3 type water and have lower radon concentrations of 1,000 -10,000 Bq/m3, consistent with a basaltic aquifer origin. These interpretations are supported by core data: core ST-1 contains an ~84 m thick basalt layer underlain by granite, while core ST-3 contains granite bedrock below 16 m depth. Groundwater samples from Eundae-ri (EDG3, EDG4) have radon concentrations of 1,000-20,000 Bq/m3, comparable to the samples from the basaltic aquifer at Saemtong. The wetland samples have much lower concentrations of 50-500 Bq/m3, reflecting atmospheric exposure and mixing with surface water. Cores 21YD-02 and 21YD-04 contain basaltic bedrock overlain by silty and gravelly mud deposits, further confirming the basaltic aquifer origin of the groundwater. These findings demonstrate that radon concentrations can be used to identify aquifer origins and quantify groundwater resources in the Hantangang River UNESCO Global Geopark. 2025 The Korean Society of Engineering Geology.

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