Quantification of the dependency of radon emanation power on soil temperature

A study on the quantification of the dependency of the radon emanation power on soil temperature has been made using the accumulation method. The emanation from dry soil was studied at temperatures between −20°C and 45°C. A formula to calculate the radon emanation power as a function of the temperatures has been developed. The formula would contribute to the modeling of radon transport in soils and building materials.     

First model of the effect of grain size on radon emanation

The present model represents an improvement on previous models of radon emanation from soil by incorporating soil grain size in addition to moisture. Monte Carlo simulation was employed in the calculation since it was difficult to mathematically express the radon emanation fraction for the present soil model. Grain size is one of the most important factors in describing the properties of soil. Grain size was demonstrated to affect the radon emanation fraction, depending on moisture content. Although the emanation fraction is generally considered to be proportional to grain size, the result of the model calculation suggested that the effect of grain size is not so simple. This study should serve as an initial step toward improving the modeling of this radon emanation.     

Accounting for 222Rn loss during oven drying for the immediate laboratory gamma-ray spectroscopy of collected soil samples.

Drying soil samples in an oven to remove water alters the 222Rn emanation rate. Measurements of the oven drying 222Rn emanation rate from soil were made with a continuous radon monitor and the degree of 222Rn disequilibrium was quantified by laboratory gamma-ray spectroscopy. This paper presents a disequilibrium correction where the 226Ra activity in oven-dried soil samples is inferred from immediate laboratory gamma-ray spectroscopy of 214Bi before 222Rn and its decay progeny reach secular equilibrium.     

Differences of natural radioactivity and radon emanation fraction among constituent minerals of rock or soil

We examined differences in the radioactive characteristics among the main minerals forming granite materials. Using a non-toxic high-density agent, minerals were separated from rock (granite–gneiss) and soil (weathered granite) samples. The natural radioactivity (²³⁸U and ²²⁶Ra) and radon emanation fraction of the minerals were then studied by gamma-ray spectrometry. The radon emanation fractions (27–43%) of the minerals from the soil were much higher than those (0.6–4.6%) of the rock minerals. Additionally, the emanation fractions differed greatly among the minerals separated from both the bulk rock and soil. These results were discussed in terms of the differences of surface area and radium distribution in the mineral grains. It was noticeable that a higher emanation fraction than expected for quartz was commonly observed in the rock and soil samples. We then estimated the contribution of each constituent mineral to the total radon exhalation from the bulk samples. The result depended not only on the radon emanation fraction, but also on the ²²⁶Ra activity and the mineral content. Furthermore, using the obtained data, we also discussed the effect of grain size on radon emanation and why this has been reported to vary markedly in previous studies.     

我国部分地区土壤氡析出率的理论模型

目的 本研究旨在通过理论研究和实验验证初步建立我国部分地区土壤氡析出率的理论模型。方法 通过对氡在土壤中扩散理论的分析，建立土壤氡析出率数学模型，该模型考虑了土壤的镭含量、射气系数、孔隙度和含水饱和度等因素对氡析出率的影响。为验证此模型，我们在北京、贵阳和内蒙古3个不同土壤类型的地区，共30处进行了氡析出率及土壤相关物理性质的实际测量。结果 有近1／3的样品理论值与实测值吻合比较好。结论 实测结果初步显示出模型的有效性。笔者对误差分布规律及产生原因进行了分析，提出了今后土壤氡析出率模型的改进方向。     

Determination of 222Rn emanation fraction and diffusion coefficient in concrete using accumulation chambers and the influence of humidity and radium distribution.

In this paper we present a laboratory method for the determination of diffusion coefficient, D, as well as the 222Rn emanation fraction, f, in concrete core samples. It is based either on the analyses of the growth curves of the radon in the air volume surrounding a sample enclosed in an accumulation chamber (Lucas cell or RADIM device) or using the charcoal adsorption method. Samples used have a special geometry allowing the assumption of a one-dimensional diffusion of radon in material. Radium was enhanced in the concrete samples by adding radium bromide solution or uranium ore. A strong dependence of the emanation fraction on the enhancing method was observed. For the sample enhanced with uranium ore the specific exhalation rate was about ten times smaller. A marked dependence of radon exhalation on the water content was also observed.     

On the use of surface neutron-gamma gauges to estimate soil water content.

Surface neutron-gamma gauges are handy instruments to measure soil water contents and bulk densities of surface layers. Although available for some decades, their optimal use is still not well established. This study is a contribution to improve their use, mainly in relation to calibration, and of the effect of soil dry bulk density on soil water content measurements.     

Effects of heating on the emanation rates of radon-222 from a suite of natural minerals

The emanating power of radon provides information on the internal structure of a mineral and the radiation damage caused by the decay of ²³⁸U, ²³⁵U and ²³²Th (and their daughters) that are present in the mineral. The concentration of ²²²Rn in groundwater is primarily controlled by the concentration of U and Th in the underlying rocks, as well as the emanation coefficient for that particular rock. The variations in the emanation coefficient for ²²²Rn caused when subsurface rocks are subjected to tectonic forces results in changes in ²²²Rn in groundwater. Increased emanation rates of radon from a mineral grain can potentially alter the ²³⁸U–²⁰⁶Pb, ²³⁵U–²⁰⁷Pb and ²³²Th–²⁰⁸Pb chronological clocks.

We have measured radon emanation coefficients on a suite of minerals comprised of one oxide (uraninite), three silicates (thorite, zircon, and cerite) and one phosphate (monazite) at room temperature and after heating at 200°C and 600°C. Annealing of some of the nuclear tracks within a mineral significantly reduces the emanation rates of radon in these minerals, suggesting that the tracks created by decay events serve as conduit pathways for the release of ²²²Rn. Higher emanation rates of ²²²Rn from mineral grains that are surrounded by liquid as compared to air indicate that a major portion of the escaping ²²²Rn in air gets embedded into adjacent mineral grains and/or opposite walls of a pore.     

A study of radon and thoron release from Egyptian building materials using polymeric nuclear track detectors.

The free exhalation rates of both thoron and radon, the specific activities of 224Ra, and 226Ra, and the physical properties, such as the emanation coefficients and radon effective diffusion coefficient of several building material samples were determined using LR-115 and CR-39 polymeric nuclear track detectors. The free areal exhalation rate was measured by the sealed cup-technique, whereas the radium content was obtained by the alpha-autoradiographic method. The calibration coefficient for thoron measurements in air using cylindrical cup equipped with LR-115 detector was estimated. Moreover, the calibration coefficients for measurements of the specific activities of 224Ra and 226Ra were also evaluated. New method was developed for evaluating the emanation coefficient as well as the diffusion coefficient of radon isotopes in the studied materials.     

Radon-in-water standard

The radon-in-water standard installed at the Czech Metrology Institute in 1994 is based on a generator producing radium-free radon solution and on a measurement system for generator calibration and stability checking. The generator consists of about 6 L cylindrical vessel with a solid phase ²²²Rn source with 99.9% air emanation power and an external circuit for solution homogenisation. Standard solutions are prepared by charging water in the vessel with radon for an appropriate period; radon volume activity of the solution may vary from 300 to 2000 Bq/L; its uncertainty is less than 2.5%.     

Measurement of radon emanation factor from granular samples: effects of additives in cement.

Two methods for radon emanation factor determination were performed and compared regarding their measuring accuracy: (a) by hermetically closing the sample in an airtight container and measuring the induced radon activity, and (b) by mixing charcoal and sealing the sample hermetically and after placing the sample in an open vessel with no charcoal addition, measuring each time the 226Ra content using gamma-spectrometry. Measurements of radon emanation factor of cement and pozzolanic additives, i.e. fly ash and phosphogypsum were also performed.     

土壤氡析出率影响因素及估算模型

目的通过对某定点处土壤氡析出率的长期测量观察,分析并总结环境因素对氡析出率的影响规律。方法使用ERS-2静电收集式氡采样测量仪,每次采样累积时间40min,每10分钟测量一次氡浓度,通过线性拟和求算出土壤表面氡析出率;利用已有的数学模型对测量结果进行估算和评价;同时测量环境空气的湿度、温度、土壤含水量和土壤氡浓度。结果春季土壤氡析出率平均值为(24·9±5·6)mBq/(m2·s),夏季平均值为(11·9±3·4)mBq/(m2·s)。结论在影响土壤氡析出率的诸因素中,湿度非常重要,而环境温度对氡析出率的影响相对较小;测量期间环境气压变化不明显,没有观测到气压对析出率的影响。开展土壤射气系数的研究,将有助于阐明多种环境因素对土壤表面氡析出率的影响。     

Radon emanation measurements using silicon photodiode detectors.

Driven by the global concern about radon hazards, a wide variety of methods to measure radon and its decay products have been developed. Pin silicon photodiodes are increasingly applied in this field, their main advantages being high detection efficiency for alpha particles and low cost. In this paper, we present a system to determine the emanation factor for 222Rn from porous material based on a pin photodiode. This equipment is valid both for field and laboratory measurements, allowing to monitor the external emanation conditions by means of temperature, humidity and pressure sensors. To illustrate the capabilities of the system, we present two case studies of samples with high and low 226Ra content. The activity of this radionuclide in the samples had been previously determined by gamma-ray spectrometry.     

Impact of fluoride and other aquatic parameters on radon concentration in natural waters.

Radon (222Rn) accumulation in water in relation to stable elements was studied for the purpose of determining factors influencing the transfer of 222Rn to and from water. In 72 groundwater samples, 222Rn and about 70 analytical parameters were analysed using radiometric and ICP-MS techniques. Using multivariate statistics (partial least squares), it was observed that 222Rn has a positive correlation with fluoride and uranium. The correlation with fluoride was further investigated by a laboratory time-scale experiment to measure the emanation of 222Rn from water as a function of fluoride, pH and carbonate. The transfer of 222Rn from water was measured by continuous monitoring in air in a closed loop set-up. It was observed that fluoride in water adhere or trap 222Rn preferably in acidic water (pH 3). It is suspected that natural physical processes (such as diffusion and microbubble phenomenon) are less effective to transport 222Rn in the presence of fluoride.     

Estimating the radon emanation coefficient from crystalline rocks into groundwater.

A simple method is proposed to estimate the coefficient of radon emanation from crystalline rocks into underground waters. In these cases, the crystalline rock seems as both the source and the reservoir of the radon. The calculations are based on a formula proposed by Maché for determining the concentration of radon in underground waters. Due to the inaccuracy of estimating some parameters (e.g. porosity), the results have a significant error. The advantage of this method is its simplicity and the possibility of obtaining results in a relatively short time. The estimated values of the emanation coefficient for selected crystalline rocks of the Sudety Mountains (SW Poland) vary from 7 to 41%, and after considering the error resulting from the estimation of rock porosity, saturation and density, the values range from 5 to 60%. The highest values of emanation coefficient (41, 33 and 21%) have been obtained for rocks in areas of tectonic dislocations and the lowest ones are for rocks outside dislocation zones (9 and 7%). The calculations imply that the emanation coefficient of rocks may have a greater influence on radon concentration in underground waters than the contents of radium in the reservoir rocks.     

NIST 222Rn emission standards.

NIST radon standards are hermetically sealed polyethylene capsules filled with 226Ra solution. Recently, four new series of standards with activities 5, 50, 500, and 5000 Bq were prepared. The measured emanation fraction agrees with a calculation that accounts for the radon accumulated inside the polyethylene walls of the capsule. Obtained solubility of radon in polyethylene is approximately 45 of the solubility of radon in water. The radon diffusion coefficient in low-density polyethylene is 7.2x10(-8)cm2/s.     

Radon exhalation and radiometric prospecting on rocks associated with Cu–U mineralizations in the Singhbhum shear zone, Bihar

The Singhbhum thrust belt is a 200 km long arcuate orogenic belt in Bihar, eastern India. The huge mineral resources, viz. copper, uranium, magnetite, apatite and molybdenite, etc., make it significant from an economic as well as a geological point of view. The belt hosts three types of mineralization: sulphides of copper and other metals, uranium oxides and apatite-magnetite. Several distinct geological episodes are responsible for the evolution of mineralization and the thrust zone itself. Extensive and reliable radiometric prospecting and assaying have been carried out by us for the past 5 years from Dhobani in the east to Turamdih in the west of the Singhbhum shear zone. The present work indicates uranium mineralization in the Pathargora–Rakha area presently being mined for copper and also within areas in the vicinity of Bhatin. Studies on radon emanation have also been undertaken in some parts of the shear zone which indicate reasonably high radon emanation of the soils and rocks studied. This suggests the need for regular monitoring and suitable controls on the mine environment (air quality) and its vicinity. Radon emanation studies coupled with gamma-ray spectrometry and the subsequent modelling of the radiometric and radon measurements will help in the application of radon as a geophysical tracer in exploration of radioactive ore bodies and in radon risk assessment as well as in delineating active and passive faults and even in petroleum exploration.     

Effect of the model of "dry" immersion on the indicators of water-electrolyte metabolism and aldosterone and cortisol in the plasma of persons with different levels of body water

Experiments were carried out to study the effect of dry immersion on fluid-electrolyte metabolism, aldosterone and cortisol content in 22 test subjects with varying content of water in the organism. It was found that dry immersion produced a diuretic effect and facilitated a higher excretion of electrolytes and a lower aldosterone content. The test subjects with a higher content of water in the organism (16 subjects) exhibited a more distinct and prolonged polyuria. During the recovery period the aldosterone content increased insignificantly and failed to return to the baseline level, in contrast to the subjects with a normal content of water in the organism.     

Correlation of radon anomalies with seismic events along Mat fault in Serchhip District,Mizoram, India

Radon emanation from the soil gas was studied using a deep red coloured cellulose nitrate LR-115 type II film. The study was carried out from March 2012 to February 2013 at Mat Bridge (23°18΄ N, 92°48΄ E) along Mat Fault in Serchhip district, Mizoram (India). Changes in radon concentrations have been observed. Effects of meteorological parameters on radon emission were also studied. The measured radon data shows a moderate positive correlation with relative humidity but no specific relation with air temperature and rainfall. Data obtained have been correlated to the earthquakes that occurred around the measuring sites.     

Radioactivity and radon emanation fraction of the granites sampled at Misasa and Badgastein.

The chemical composition was analyzed and the radioactivity, radon exhalation rate and emanation fraction were measured to investigate the characteristics of the granites sampled at Misasa and Badgastein, world famous for radon therapy. The Misasa granite was probably composed of quartz, albite and microcline. The Badgastein granite was probably composed of quartz and muscovite. The radon exhalation rates and emanation fractions of the Misasa granite were much higher than those of the Badgastein granite, regardless of the (226)Ra activity concentrations.