Environmental drivers of Be-7 and K-40 deposition in South Korea: A regional analysis of meteorological and geological influences

Abstract

This study examines the regional behavior of two naturally occurring radionuclides – beryllium-7 (Be-7) and potassium-40 (K-40) – across 15 locations in South Korea from 2014 to 2022. Using one-way ANOVA and Pearson correlation analysis, we evaluated how meteorological and geological factors influence the deposition and rainfall concentrations of these radionuclides. Be-7 deposition showed strong associations with rainfall, fine dust concentration, wind speed, and solar cycle activity, reflecting its cosmogenic origin and atmospheric transport sensitivity. In contrast, K-40 levels were more stable and strongly linked to geological characteristics such as granite distribution and altitude, with weaker meteorological dependence. Spatial analyses revealed distinct regional signatures, with elevated Be-7 in spring and K-40 increasing toward winter. Seasonal and geographic trends were further explained by lithological context and precipitation patterns. These findings highlight the contrasting environmental drivers of cosmogenic and terrestrial radionuclides, and support the importance of integrating climatic and geological variables in environmental radioactivity assessment. The approach presented here provides a transferable framework for interpreting radionuclide variability in other regions with complex atmospheric or lithological conditions.