Seasonal variations in soil gas radon concentration

In this paper, we shortly are treating the results of the radon concentration in soil gas, which are obtained by a detailed study that was carried out during 2000-2005 years in the urban area of Tirana, Capital City of Albania. The field measurements were done by using Luk-4 equipment (Lucas method) and based on technique (Neznal et al. 1992, Neznal et al. 1994a, Neznal et al. 1994b, Neznal et al. 1996, Neznal et al. 2002b). From the analysis of the data taken by this research, was concluded that the level of the radon concentration in soil gas of Tirana urban area depends on the soil type. So, the highest level of radon gas (130.0 kBqm‐3) was observed in the inorganic clays and very fine sands with beige-red color (soils type 1), which is extended on the second terrace of Tirana River. This paper gives conclusions of soil gas radon concentration, where its value range from 0.9-1.54 kBqm‐3 up to 92.03-130.0 kBqm‐3. The results indicate that more than 50% of Tirana urban area is made of soils, which are characterized by high soil gas radon concentration, which constitutes a real risk for the Tirana’s residents.

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Geogenic radon potential mapping using geospatial analysis of multiple radon-related variables: a case study from Southeastern Ireland

10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-4884 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Mirsina Mousavi ◽

Quentin Crowley

Keyword(s):

Regression Model ◽

Radon Concentration ◽

Indoor Radon ◽

Spatial Regression ◽

Geostatistical Analysis ◽

Soil Gas ◽

Natural Radiation ◽

Spatial Regression Model ◽

Soil Gas Radon ◽

Radon Potential

A detailed investigation of geogenic radon potential (GRP) was carried out using geostatistical analysis on multiple radon-related variables to evaluate natural radiation in an area of Southeast Ireland. The geological setting of the study area includes basal Devonian sandstones and conglomerates overlying an offshoot of the Caledonian Leinster Granite, which intrudes Ordovician sediments. The Ordovician sediments contain traces of autunite (Ca(UO2)2(PO4)2&#183;10&#8211;12H2O), which is a uranium-bearing mineral and a source of radon. To model radon release potential at different locations, a spatial regression model was developed in which soil gas radon concentration measured in-situ using a Radon RM-2 detector was considered as a response value. Proxy variables such as local geology, soil types, terrestrial gamma dose rates, radionuclide concentrations from airborne radiometric surveys, soil gas permeability, distance from major faults and a Digital Terrain Model were used as the main predictors. Furthermore, the distribution of indoor radon concentration was simulated using a soil-indoor transfer factor. Finally, the workability of the proposed GRP model was tested by evaluating the correlation between previously measured indoor radon concentrations and the estimated values by the GRP model at the same measurement locations. This model can also be used to estimate the GRPs of other areas where radon-related proxy values are available.&#160;&#160;&#160; &#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;Keywords: Natural radiation, geogenic radon potential, geostatistical analysis, spatial regression model, indoor radon simulation

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Dynamics of soil gas radon concentration in a highly permeable soil based on a long-term high temporal resolution observation series

Journal of Environmental Radioactivity ◽

10.1016/j.jenvrad.2013.04.004 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 124 ◽

pp. 74-83 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Katalin Zsuzsanna Szabó ◽

Gyozo Jordan ◽

Ákos Horváth ◽

Csaba Szabó

Keyword(s):

Temporal Resolution ◽

Radon Concentration ◽

Soil Gas ◽

High Temporal Resolution ◽

Resolution Observation ◽

Soil Gas Radon ◽

Observation Series ◽

Permeable Soil

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Radon concentration in soil gas and radon exhalation rate at the Ravne Fault in NW Slovenia

Natural Hazards and Earth System Science ◽

10.5194/nhess-10-895-2010 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 895-899 ◽

Cited By ~ 33

Author(s):

J. Vaupotič ◽

A. Gregorič ◽

I. Kobal ◽

P. Žvab ◽

K. Kozak ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dose Rate ◽

Radon Concentration ◽

Gamma Dose ◽

Soil Gas ◽

Gamma Dose Rate ◽

Radon Exhalation Rate ◽

Exhalation Rate ◽

Soil Permeability ◽

Radon Exhalation ◽

Soil Gas Radon

Abstract. The Ravne tectonic fault in north-west (NW) Slovenia is one of the faults in this region, responsible for the elevated seismic activity at the Italian-Slovene border. Five measurement profiles were fixed in the vicinity of the Ravne fault, four of them were perpendicular and one parallel to the fault. At 18 points along these profiles the following measurements have been carried out: radon activity concentration in soil gas, radon exhalation rate from ground, soil permeability and gamma dose rate. The radon measurements were carried out using the AlphaGuard equipment, and GammaTracer was applied for gamma dose rate measurements. The ranges of the obtained results are as follows: 0.9–32.9 kBq m−3 for radon concentration (CRn), 1.1–41.9 mBq m−2 s−1 for radon exhalation rate (ERn), 0.5–7.4×10-13 m2 for soil permeability, and 86–138 nSv h−1 for gamma dose rate. The concentrations of 222Rn in soil gas were found to be lower than the average for Slovenia. Because the deformation zones differ not only in the direction perpendicular to the fault but also along it, the behaviour of either CRn or ERn at different profiles differ markedly. The study is planned to be continued with measurements being carried out at a number of additional points.

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