INDOOR RADON MEASUREMENTS FOR THE SOUTH AFRICAN WEST COAST PENINSULA

2020 ◽  
Vol 191 (2) ◽  
pp. 144-149
Author(s):  
Rikus le Roux ◽  
Jacques Bezuidenhout ◽  
Hennie Smit
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
West Coast ◽  
Radon Concentration ◽  
Recent Article ◽  
Indoor Radon ◽  
The West ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Radon Measurements ◽  
Radon Concentrations

Abstract Granite commonly contains high concentrations of uranium, with consequent high exhalation of radon. The geology of the West Coast peninsula of South Africa is dominated by granite, and a recent article predicted potentially high indoor radon concentrations in this region’s two largest towns, Vredenburg and Saldanha. This research aimed to measure indoor radon levels in these towns. Measurements were first done for a minimum of 3 d during warmer months, with houses typically being more ventilated. Thirty-four homes in Vredenburg and 27 in Saldanha were measured, and the average indoor radon determined to be 40 and 58 Bq m−3, respectively. The measurements were then repeated during the colder months, and an increase in average radon concentration of 173 Bq m−3 for Saldanha and 153 Bq m−3 for Vredenburg was found. The granite geology and lifestyle of occupants during the colder months seem to contribute towards elevated levels of indoor radon concentrations.

scholarly journals Radon measurements with CR-39 track detectors at specific locations in Turkey

2004 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asiye Ulug ◽  
Melek Karabulut ◽  
Nilgün Celebi
Keyword(s):  
Radon Concentration ◽  
Indoor Radon ◽  
Active Faults ◽  
Indoor Radon Concentration ◽  
Arithmetic Means ◽  
Radon Measurements ◽  
New Buildings ◽  
Main Factor ◽  
Ventilation Conditions ◽  
Radon Concentrations

Indoor radon concentration levels at three sites in Turkey were measured using CR-39 solid state nuclear track detectors. The annual mean of radon concentration was estimated on the basis of four quarter measurements at specific locations in Turkey. The measuring sites are on the active faults. The results of radon measurements are based on 280 measurements in doors. The annual arithmetic means of radon concentrations at three sites (Isparta Egirdir, and Yalvac) were found to be 164 Bqm?3, 124 Bqm?3, and 112 Bqm?3 respectively, ranging from 78 Bqm?3 to 279 Bqm?3. The in door radon concentrations were investigated with respect to the ventilation conditions and the age of buildings. The ventilation conditions were determined to be the main factor affecting the in door radon concentrations. The in door radon concentrations in the new buildings were higher than ones found in the old buildings.

A CASE STUDY ON THE USE OF SEASONAL CORRECTION FACTORS FOR INDOOR RADON MEASUREMENTS

2018 ◽  
Vol 183 (4) ◽  
pp. 423-431
Author(s):  
E Algin ◽  
C Asici ◽  
H Sogukpinar ◽  
N Akkurt
Keyword(s):  
Radon Concentration ◽  
Indoor Radon ◽  
Small Region ◽  
Cyclic Behavior ◽  
Correction Factors ◽  
Concentration Data ◽  
Radon Measurement ◽  
Radon Measurements ◽  
Radon Concentrations

Abstract Radon concentration measurements were performed in the city Eskişehir, Turkey in order to quantify seasonal variation. Using the assumption that indoor radon concentrations exhibit annual cyclic behavior, Pinel’s methodology was employed to obtain seasonal correction factors (SCFs). A total of 142 dwellings had radon concentration data for each season that enabled to obtain annual average radon concentrations. Estimated SCFs were applied to each of the 142 dwellings to assess the validity of the factors. The results demonstrate that even in a very small region significant variation in radon concentrations of different dwellings can be observed, and that a good care should be taken in applying SCFs to a short-term radon measurement to obtain average annual radon concentration.

scholarly journals A new approach to radon temporal correction factor based on active environmental monitoring devices

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Dicu ◽  
B. D. Burghele ◽  
M. Botoş ◽  
A. Cucoș ◽  
G. Dobrei ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radon Concentration ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Indoor Radon ◽  
Smart Device ◽  
Correction Factors ◽  
Indoor Radon Concentration ◽  
Radon Measurements ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Monitoring Devices ◽  
Temporal Correction

AbstractThe present study aims to identify novel means of increasing the accuracy of the estimated annual indoor radon concentration based on the application of temporal correction factors to short-term radon measurements. The necessity of accurate and more reliable temporal correction factors is in high demand, in the present age of speed. In this sense, radon measurements were continuously carried out, using a newly developed smart device accompanied by CR-39 detectors, for one full year, in 71 residential buildings located in 5 Romanian cities. The coefficient of variation for the temporal correction factors calculated for combinations between the start month and the duration of the measurement presented a low value (less than 10%) for measurements longer than 7 months, while a variability close to 20% can be reached by measurements of up to 4 months. Results obtained by generalized estimating equations indicate that average temporal correction factors are positively associated with CO2 ratio, as well as the interaction between this parameter and the month in which the measurement took place. The impact of the indoor-outdoor temperature differences was statistically insignificant. The obtained results could represent a reference point in the elaboration of new strategies for calculating the temporal correction factors and, consequently, the reduction of the uncertainties related to the estimation of the annual indoor radon concentration.

Seasonal occurrence and diel calling behaviour of Antarctic blue whales and fin whales in relation to environmental conditions off the west coast of South Africa

2019 ◽  
Vol 190 ◽  
pp. 25-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fannie W. Shabangu ◽  
Ken P. Findlay ◽  
Dawit Yemane ◽  
Kathleen M. Stafford ◽  
Marcel van den Berg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
West Coast ◽  
Seasonal Occurrence ◽  
The West ◽  
Calling Behaviour ◽  
Fin Whales ◽  
Blue Whales

scholarly journals Has the fishery contributed to a major shift in the distribution of South African sardine?

2008 ◽  
Vol 65 (9) ◽  
pp. 1676-1688 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janet C. Coetzee ◽  
Carl D. van der Lingen ◽  
Laurence Hutchings ◽  
Tracey P. Fairweather
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
West Coast ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Fishing Effort ◽  
South Coast ◽  
The West ◽  
Natal Homing ◽  
Distinct Unit ◽  
Major Shift ◽  
Sardine Population

Abstract Coetzee, J. C., van der Lingen, C. D., Hutchings, L., and Fairweather, T. P. 2008. Has the fishery contributed to a major shift in the distribution of South African sardine? – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 65: 1676–1688. A major shift in the distribution of South African sardine (Sardinops sagax) has resulted in a significant spatial mismatch in fishing effort vs. fish abundance in recent years. The sardine fishery started on the west coast during the 1940s, and processing capacity there increased rapidly. This trend together with increases in annual landings continued up to the early 1960s, but then the fishery collapsed as a consequence of overfishing. The population then recovered steadily during the 1980s and 1990s, coincident with, but perhaps not entirely attributable to, the inception of conservative management practices, to support catches similar to pre-collapse levels. Since 2001, however, most of the sardine population has been situated on South Africa’s south coast, far from processing facilities. Fishing effort has increased concomitantly on that coast, particularly during the past three years, reflecting the continued decline in the abundance of sardine on the west coast. Three hypotheses explaining the change in the distribution of sardine have been proposed: (i) intensely localized (i.e. west coast) fishing pressure depleted that part (or functionally distinct unit) of the population; (ii) the shift was environmentally induced; and (iii) successful spawning and recruit survival on the south coast contributed disproportionately more towards the bulk of recruitment, and progeny spawned there now dominate the population and exhibit natal homing. The first of these hypotheses is evaluated, and management implications of the shift discussed.

scholarly journals Long-Term Impacts of Weather Conditions on Indoor Radon Concentration Measurements in Switzerland

Atmosphere ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 92
Author(s):  
Joan Frédéric Rey ◽  
Stéphane Goyette ◽  
Mauro Gandolla ◽  
Martha Palacios ◽  
Fabio Barazza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radon Concentration ◽  
Indoor Radon ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Indoor Environments ◽  
Indoor Radon Concentration ◽  
Prone Area ◽  
Building Characteristics ◽  
Study Sites ◽  
Radon Measurements

Radon is a natural and radioactive gas that can accumulate in indoor environments. Indoor radon concentration (IRC) is influenced, among other factors, by meteorology, which is the subject of this paper. Weather parameters impact indoor radon levels and have already been investigated, but rarely in Switzerland. Moreover, there is a strong need for a better understanding of the radon behaviour inside buildings in Switzerland for public health concerns as Switzerland is a radon prone area. Based on long-term, continuous, and hourly radon measurements, radon distributions classified according to different weather event definitions were investigated and then compared at three different study sites in Western Switzerland. Outdoor temperature influences the most indoor radon, and it is globally anti-correlated. Wind influences indoor radon, but it strongly depends on intensity, direction, and building characteristics. Precipitation influences periodically indoor radon levels relatively to their intensity. Atmospheric pressure and relative humidity do not seem to be huge determinants on IRC. Our results are in line with previous findings and provide a vivid example in Western Switzerland. This paper underlines the different influence complexities of radon, and the need to communicate about it within the broader public and with construction professionals, to raise awareness.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document