铀和镭是构成天然辐射环境的重要组成元素，在自然界分布相当广泛。

铀是既有化学毒性又有放射性损伤的双重危害元素，且以化学毒性为主。铀主要蓄积肾脏，铀中毒会引起肾小管坏死，严重时出现心肌坏死。镭为亲骨性元素，参与体内钙的代射。它损伤造血系统并可能导致遗传性病变。近年来国外对环境中增长着的铀和镭的水平极为关切

[1]

。随着人类对核能的利用，为了全面了解原子能工业产生的放射性三废对环境的影响，对天然放射性元素水平的研究是其中重要一环。只有了解天然放射性元素的数量及其变化规律，才可能对反应堆周围、海洋、大气层和人体组织中的监测数据作出可靠的科学解释。

This paper reported the results of the studies on the contents of uranium and radium in different types of natural waters. It also showed that such of these contents might be influenced by burning coal and oil and by the employment of phosphate fertilizers as well. The aim of the researchs is to find the amount and laws of their variations of the radioactive elements naturally occurred so as the results thus obtained may be used as a theoretical basis for environmental surveillance.