Observation and removal of daily quasi-periodic components in soil radon data

We report (quasi) periodic oscillations observed in soil radon emanation data especially during summer period. Soil radon has been continuously monitored in the Marmara region of Turkey over the past nine years to reveal possible relationships between soil radon and seismic activities. This long term monitoring has clearly demonstrated that soil radon concentrations are affected by various parameters such as seasonal and daily changes in atmospheric parameters (temperature, pressure, precipitation). Sometimes, soil temperature variations as well as barometric pressure and precipitation may dominantly influence the soil radon concentration; leading to seemingly complex radon time series. One may need to remove such components for better analysis of the possible relationships between soil radon emanation and seismic activities. Here, we suggest using an algorithm to detect and remove daily-oscillations from the raw data. The detection and separation (extraction) algorithm is based on Empirical Mode Decomposition method which is a signal-adaptive method that automatically decompose the signal into its characteristic modes. The algorithm is applied to the data collected from three different soil radon monitoring stations (Bal?kesir, Gönen, and Armutlu) in Marmara region of Turkey and the results are provided.     

Radon in soil and its concentration in the atmosphere around Mysore city, India

Radon concentration in soil-gas and in the atmospheric air has been studied around Mysore city (12°N and 76°E) using Solid State Nuclear Track Detectors. The radon in soil-gas is found to be higher at a depth of 1 m than at a depth of 0.5 m from the ground surface. The higher radon concentration in soil was observed near Chamundi Hills and Karigatta village with average values of 5.94 kBq.m⁻³ and 5.32 kBq.m⁻³ at 1 m depth from the ground surface. Seasonal variations in radon in soil gas shows that, the concentration is lower in summer with an average value of 0.60 kBq.m⁻³ and higher in monsoon season with an average value of 4.70 kBq.m⁻³. Estimation of ²²⁶Ra in soil at these locations is also made using HPGe detector. The activity of ²²⁶Ra, varies from 4.82 to 74.23 Bq.kg⁻¹ with an average value of 32.11 Bq.kg⁻¹. Radon concentrations in soil-gas shows good correlation with the activity of ²²⁶Ra in soil with a correlation coefficient of 0.76     

Spatial and temporal variations of radon concentration in soil air

The spatial and temporal variability of the soil gas radon concentration in typical soils is studied. The results obtained will be further used to predict indoor radon levels. To this end, 50 measuring points along geologic sections with known physicogeological parameters of soils were chosen. The soil gas radon concentration was measured with SSNTDs (Type III-b) at a depth of 70 cm from June to October, 2000. The radon exposure time was 72–96 h. The average radon concentration in the soil pore air for an urban area was 11 kBqm⁻³ (1.7–24 kBqm⁻³). Small-scale spatial variations in the concentration were found to lie within a narrower range. The effect of meteorological conditions on the soil gas radon concentration was investigated by performing 8 series of measurements at 5 closely spaced points in September–October, 2000. A significant correlation was found between the soil radon concentration and atmospheric pressure (K=−0.86), ambient temperature (K=0.75), and soil temperature (K=0.75).     

In situ measurements of radon levels in water and soil and exhalation rate in areas of Malwa belt of Punjab (India)

Radon concentration levels in water and soil gas from 36 locations pertaining to some areas of Malwa region of Punjab have been measured on an in situ basis using a continuous active radon detector (AlphaGuard, Model - PQ 2000 PRO, Genitron instruments, Germany). Exhalation rate measurements have also been carried out at these places, using a closed-circuit technique. The radon concentrations in soil and water varied from 1.9 to 16.4?kBq?m(-3) and 5.01 to 11.6?kBq?m(-3), respectively. The exhalation rate (E (Rn)) ranged between 7.48 and 35.88?mBq?m(-2)?s(-1) with an average value of 18.17?mBq?m(-2)?s(-1). Annual dose rates have been calculated for water radon concentrations. The minimum to maximum values of dose rates were found to be 13.42-31.08?μSv?y(-1). The recorded values of radon concentration in water are within the safe limit of 11?Bq?l(-1) recommended by the US Environment Protection Agency [National Research Council, Risk Assessment of Radon in Drinking Water (Academy Press, Washington, DC, USA, 1999)]. All measurements were made in similar climatic and environmental conditions to ensure minimal variations in meteorological parameters. An intermediate correlation coefficient (0.5) was observed between radon exhalation rates and soil gas values.     

Seasonal variation of radon-222 concentrations in specific locations in Jordan

Previously calibrated passive detectors (CR-39) and an active radon device (Radon Monitor RM3) were used to study seasonal variation of radon-222 concentration levels inside and outside specific locations in Jordan. The study sites were located in an area that used to be an old phosphate mine. We found that the maximum value of radon concentration in air inside the dwellings, as measured by the passive dosimeters, was 1532.9 Bq/m³ during the winter season, and the minimum one was 46.3 Bq/m³ during fall season. While the highest and lowest readings of the active monitor were 892 and 4 Bq/m³ during fall and summer seasons, respectively. The radon concentration in soil ranges from 0.2 kBq/m³ in spring to 37.8 kBq/m³ in fall.     

Zusammenhänge Zwischen Radonanomalien und Schwarm-Erdbeben im Oberen Vogtland

Abstract

The results of continuous radon measurements in soil air and the water of a mineral spring at Bad Brambach are presented. They are discussed in connection with meteorological, hydrological parameters, and seismic events with magnitudes <3. The atmospheric pressure (especially pressure gradient), the temperature, and the groundwater level gradient have a significant influence onto radon activity of soil air.

The gamma-activity in spring water is influenced by the water flow rate only.

The results show that the soil air (mean Rn activity 130 Bq · l^?1) and especially the water of the Radonquelle of Bad Brambach (mean Rn activity 25 kBq · l^?1) react upon micro earthquakes with small epicentral distances. Frequently there are precursor effects, that means radon maxima due to the building up of tectonic stress/strain.

About 60% of the seismic events had been attended by radon anomalies during the registration period.

The long term measurements will be continued to investigate possible influences of earthquakes with higher epicentral distances and magnitudes >5 onto the radon regime of the bad Brambach area.     

Time variations of 222Rn concentration and air exchange rates in a Hungarian cave

A long-term radon concentration monitoring was carried out in the Pál-v?lgy cave, Budapest, Hungary, for 1.5 years. Our major goal was to determine the time dependence of the radon concentration in the cave to characterise the air exchange and define the most important environmental parameters that influence the radon concentration inside the cave. The radon concentration in the cave air was measured continuously by an AlphaGuard radon monitor, and meteorological parameters outside the cave were collected simultaneously. The air's radon concentration in the cave varied between 104 and 7776?Bq?m(-3), the annual average value was 1884±85?Bq?m(-3). The summer to winter radon concentration ratio was as high as 21.8. The outside air temperature showed the strongest correlation with the radon concentration in the cave, the correlation coefficient (R) was 0.76.     

In situ measurements of radon levels in water and soil and exhalation rate in areas of Malwa belt of Punjab (India)

Radon concentration levels in water and soil gas from 36 locations pertaining to some areas of Malwa region of Punjab have been measured on an in situ basis using a continuous active radon detector (AlphaGuard, Model – PQ 2000 PRO, Genitron instruments, Germany). Exhalation rate measurements have also been carried out at these places, using a closed-circuit technique. The radon concentrations in soil and water varied from 1.9 to 16.4 kBq m^?3 and 5.01 to 11.6 kBq m^?3, respectively. The exhalation rate (E _Rn) ranged between 7.48 and 35.88 mBq m^?2 s^?1 with an average value of 18.17 mBq m^?2 s^?1. Annual dose rates have been calculated for water radon concentrations. The minimum to maximum values of dose rates were found to be 13.42–31.08 μSv y^?1. The recorded values of radon concentration in water are within the safe limit of 11 Bq l^?1 recommended by the US Environment Protection Agency [National Research Council, Risk Assessment of Radon in Drinking Water (Academy Press, Washington, DC, USA, 1999)]. All measurements were made in similar climatic and environmental conditions to ensure minimal variations in meteorological parameters. An intermediate correlation coefficient (0.5) was observed between radon exhalation rates and soil gas values.     

Time variations of 222Rn concentration and air exchange rates in a Hungarian cave

A long-term radon concentration monitoring was carried out in the Pál-völgy cave, Budapest, Hungary, for 1.5 years. Our major goal was to determine the time dependence of the radon concentration in the cave to characterise the air exchange and define the most important environmental parameters that influence the radon concentration inside the cave. The radon concentration in the cave air was measured continuously by an AlphaGuard radon monitor, and meteorological parameters outside the cave were collected simultaneously. The air's radon concentration in the cave varied between 104 and 7776 Bq m^?3, the annual average value was 1884±85 Bq m^?3. The summer to winter radon concentration ratio was as high as 21.8. The outside air temperature showed the strongest correlation with the radon concentration in the cave, the correlation coefficient (R) was 0.76.     

Radon emanation from soil samples

The soil or bedrock beneath a building is one of the sources of radon gas in the indoor air. The ²³⁸U content of samples of the soil or the bedrock can be measured by gamma ray spectrometry and is of interest because the uranium content in the soil is a precursor of the presence of the radon gas in the soil. The emanation of radon gas from different types of material can be estimated to some extent if the content of ²³⁸U of a sample is known and the ²²⁶Ra content is only minorly affected. The true emanation is, however, affected by various parameters. One of these parameters is the possibility or not for the gas to come out from the grains into the air in the space between the grains of the sample.

In this study we report the results from measurements of radon gas emanating from samples of soil frequent in the Lund region in Sweden and in the Barcelona region in Spain. As soils have different grain size it is important to know the type of soil. The ²³⁸U content of the soil is measured with gamma ray spectrometry. The radon measurements are made by Kodak plastic film in closed cans, filled with the soil according to a technique, developed for radon measurements in water samples.

The result shows, that the combination of grain size and uranium content is important for the emanation of the radon gas from the grains of the soil.     

Correlation between radon exhalation and radium content in granite samples used as construction material in Saudi Arabia

Measurements of radon exhalation for a total of 205 selected samples of construction materials used in Saudi Arabia were carried out using an active radon gas analyzer with an emanation container. It was found that granite samples were the main source of radon exhalation. The radon exhalation rates per unit area from these granite samples varied from below the minimum detection limit up to with an average of 1.5 . The radium contents of 27 granite samples were measured using an HPGe-based γ spectroscopy setup. The ²²⁶Ra content of the granites varied from below the minimum detection limit up to , with an average of . The linear correlation coefficient between exhaled radon and radium content was found to be 0.90.     

Radon exhalation studies in an Indian uranium tailings pile

A study was taken up to quantify the source term arising due to radon exhalation from Uranium(U) tailings pile at Singbhum shear zone in Jharkhand state of India. In-situ experiments were conducted at 40 locations of the U tailings pile in three seasons namely summer, rainy and winter to measure the radon fluxes. The fluxes were also predicted by a diffusion model using the measured parameters such as Ra-226 content, bulk density, diffusion coefficient, radon emanation factor, moisture content and temperature in the U tailings. It was observed that the predicted fluxes using the in-situ diffusion length and emanation factor were closer to measured values by accumulator technique than that predicted using empirically estimated diffusion coefficient and emanation factor. A conversion factor has been established between radon fluxes and Ra-226 content in U tailings for Jaduguda. The source term arising due to the radon exhalation from U tailings pile at Jaduguda has determined using the measured data of radon fluxes.     

Measurements of radon concentration levels in thermal waters in the region of Konya,Turkey

²²²Rn (radon) is one of the most important sources of natural radiation to which people are exposed. It is an alpha-emitting noble gas and it can be found in various concentrations in soil, air and in different kinds of water. In this study, we present the results of radon concentration measurements in thermal waters taken from the sources in the region of Konya located in the central part of Turkey. The radon activity concentrations in 10 thermal water samples were measured by using the AlphaGUARD PQ 2000PRO radon gas analyser in spring and summer of the year 2012. We found that radon activity concentrations range from 0.60±0.11 to 70.34±3.55 kBq m^?3 and from 0.67±0.03 to 36.53±4.68 kBq m^?3 in spring and summer, respectively. We also calculated effective doses per treatment in the spas for the spring and summer seasons. It was found that the minimum and maximum effective doses per treatment are in the range of 0.09–10.13 nSv in spring and in the range of 0.1–5.26 nSv in summer.     

Radon and its short-lived progeny: variations near the ground

In the atmosphere above the surface of the Earth the concentrations of radon and its progeny are measured, along with the meteorological parameters from December 1997 to December 2000 for a continental location, Pune (18°N,74°E), India. The concentrations show maxima in the early morning hours when the turbulence mixing is minimum; whereas in the afternoon the turbulence mixing is maximum and concentrations exhibit minima. The median values of concentration are 9.70 and 2.84 Bqm⁻³, respectively, for radon and its progeny, during the observation period. Ionization rates in the atmosphere are derived for the same period. It is found that the ionization rate exhibits a median value of 5.48 ionpairscm⁻³ s⁻¹. The diurnal and seasonal variations in the concentrations of radon and its progeny, and the ionization rate due to radioactivity are found to exhibit correlation with the relative humidity, and anti-correlation with the temperature.     

Seasonal variability of soil-gas radon concentration in central California

Radon concentrations in soil gas were measured by the track-etch method in 60 shallow holes, each 70 cm deep and supported by a capped plastic tube, along several major faults in central California during 1975–1985. This set of data was analyzed to investigate the seasonal variability of soil-gas radon concentration in an area which has various geological conditions but similar climate. The results show several different patterns of seasonal variations, but all of which can be largely attributed to the water-saturation and moisture-retention characteristics of the shallow part of the soil. During the rainy winter and spring seasons, radon tended to be confined underground by the water-saturated surface soil which had much reduced gas permeability, while during the sunny summer and autumn seasons, it exhaled more readily as the soil became drier and more permeable. At several sites located on creeping faults, the radon-variation patterns changed with time, possibly because of disturbance of site condition by fault movement.     

西藏地区近地晴天大气电场气象效应和时间变化研究

基于西藏羊八井宇宙线观测站在2006年3月至2011年6月期间记录的近地大气电场数据, 分析研究了该地区近地晴天大气电场气象效应和时间变化特征. 气象效应分析结果显示, 该地区近地晴天大气电场与三个气象参量(大气压强、温度和相对湿度)的长时间变化趋势基本一致, 并有明显的季节效应. 冬春季, 大气电场强度整体水平相对较低, 约为0.14 kV/m; 夏秋季, 电场强度水平相对较高, 为0.18 kV/m左右. 近地晴天大气电场强度与大气温度间的线性相关性最强, 拟合相关系数达到0.89; 与大气压强和相对湿度间的线性相关性相对较弱, 拟合相关系数依次为0.43和0.53. 傅里叶分析结果表明: 晴天大气电场时间变化受太阳日周期、半太阳日周期及其三、四次谐波分量调制作用, 调制强度依次减弱. 西藏地区近地晴天大气电场日变化特征呈大陆简单型, 即双峰双谷. 主、次峰谷分别出现在白天和夜间, 主峰谷出现的早晚因季节不同略有差异, 次峰谷出现的早晚因季节不同差异相对较大.     

Radon daughters’ concentration in air and exposure of joggers at the university campus of Bangalore,India

The concentration of radon daughters in outdoor air was measured continuously from January 2006 to December 2006 near the Department of Physics, Bangalore University campus, Bangalore. The concentration was measured by collecting air samples at a height of 1 m above the ground level on a glass micro fibre filter paper with a known air flow rate. The results show that the radon progeny concentration exhibits distinct seasonal and diurnal variations that are predominantly caused by changes in the temperature gradient at the soil–atmosphere interface. The concentration was found to be high from 20.00 to 8.00 hrs, when the turbulence mixing was minimum and low during the rest of the time. In terms of the monthly concentration, January was found to be the highest with September/August being the lowest. The diurnal variations in the concentrations of radon progeny were found to exhibit positive correlation with the relative humidity and anti-correlation with the atmospheric temperature. From the measured concentration, an attempt was made to establish the annual effective dose to the general public of the region and was found to be 0.085 mSv/a. In addition, an attempt was also made for the first time to study the variation of inhalation dose with respect to the physical activity levels. Results show that in the light of both the effect of chemical pollutants and radiation dose due to inhalation of radon daughters, evening jogging is advisable.     

Radon and air ion balance

In connection with the study of equilibrium among radon and its conversion products attention has been paid to air ionisation or, more precisely, to light atmospheric ions. Air ionisation variability and relationship between positive and negative ions concentration in the presence of ionizing radiation, local and microclimatic conditions have been observed. A very good correlation between light atmospheric ions concentration and radon volume activity or equilibrium equivalent of radon decay products has been found. Concrete measurements were conducted in karst caves and mine galleries without any meteorological influences. It was discovered that in most cases negative ions concentration predominated over positive ions concentration. This non-equilibrium was caused by a number of factors. In this work we have concentrated our attention to microclimatic and regime conditions of the individual locations.     

Radon and air ion balance

In connection with the study of equilibrium among radon and its conversion products attention has been paid to air ionisation or, more precisely, to light atmospheric ions. Air ionisation variability and relationship between positive and negative ions concentration in the presence of ionizing radiation, local and microclimatic conditions have been observed. A very good correlation between light atmospheric ions concentration and radon volume activity or equilibrium equivalent of radon decay products has been found. Concrete measurements were conducted in karst caves and mine galleries without any meteorological influences. It was discovered that in most cases negative ions concentration predominated over positive ions concentration. This non-equilibrium was caused by a number of factors. In this work we have concentrated our attention to microclimatic and regime conditions of the individual locations.     

基于气象参数戈壁沙漠地区近地面大气湍流建模

 提出一种适合戈壁沙漠地区的近地面大气湍流模型。通过测量近地面层不同高度处温度、湿度、压强和风速等常规气象参数,结合模型可给出近地面层大气湍流强度。模型计算的近地面层大气湍流强度通常白天值最大,中午前后出现较宽的最大值区间,在日出时段和日落时段出现较明显的最小值,夜间呈不规则变化,该结果能够很好地反映近地面层大气湍流强度的变化特性。在影响大气湍流强度变化的参数中,大气温度的变化趋势直接影响着大气湍流强度的变化：通常白天大气温差较高时,大气湍流强度较强;大气温差较低时,大气湍流强度较弱;大气温差起伏较大的时刻,大气湍流强度的变化也会较大,大气温差起伏趋势与大气湍流强度变化趋势有相似之处。