Volcanic monitoring for radon and chemical species in the soil and in spring water samples

Soil radon has been monitored at two fixed stations in the northern flank of Popocatepetl Volcano, a high risk volcano located 60 km SE from Mexico City. Water samples from three springs were also studied for radon as well as major and trace elements. Radon in the soil was recorded using track detectors. Radon in the water samples was evaluated using the liquid scintillation method and an Alphaguard. The major elements were determined through conventional chemical methods and trace elements using an ICP-MS equipment. Soil radon levels were low, indicating a moderate diffuse degassing through the flanks of the volcano. Groundwater radon had almost no relation with the eruptive stages. Water chemistry was stable in the reported time (2000–2002).     

Indoor radon measurements in dwellings of four Saudi Arabian cities

An indoor radon survey of a total of 269 dwellings, with one dosimeter per house, distributed in four Saudi Arabian cities was carried out. The objective of this survey was to carry out indoor radon measurements of two cities in the Eastern Province, Khafji and Hafr Al-Batin and to compare this with two cities in the Western Province, Al-Madina and Taif. The survey provides additional information about indoor radon concentrations in Saudi Arabia. The results of the survey in these cities showed that the overall minimum, maximum and average radon concentration were 7,137 and 30 Bqm⁻³, respectively. The lowest average radon concentration (20 Bqm⁻³) was found in Hafr Al-Batin, while the highest average concentration was found in Khafji (40 Bqm⁻³).     

Thermal behaviour of advanced composite materials based on SiC fibres

Emanation thermal analysis (ETA) was used for characterization of thermal behaviour of SiC_f/SiC composites on heating in argon and air, respectively. Effect of gas environment (argon, air) and helium ions implantation on the microstructure development of the SiC_f/SiC composite prepared by chemical vapour infiltration (CVI) from Nicalon CG fibres was investigated under in situ conditions of heating. The annealing of near surface structure irregularities was observed in the range 280-700°C and evaluated by means of the mathematical model, assuming that the structure irregularities served as diffusion paths for radon. The ETA reflected the formation of amorphous silica and its subsequent crystallization to crystoballite. Morphology of the SiC_f/SiC samples before and after the heat treatments was characterized by means of SEM. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A preliminary study of post-seismic effects of radon following the Ms 8.0 Wenchuan earthquake

The observation data for radon from national geochemical observation points have been collected and analyzed following the Ms 8.0 Wenchuan earthquake on 12th May, 2008 and a post-seismic effect of radon was observed. It has provided the most abundant record since the radon observation network had been set up in china. In this paper, the behaviour of the post-seismic effects of radon gas and water radon is reported. The results were obtained that observation points recording post-seismic effects of radon release were distributed mainly along the extended line of Longmenshan faults, and located on the boundary faults of regional tectonic blocks (Category II) and inside some tectonic blocks (Category II). The pattern of variation in radon emission observed was largely in the form of rising steps. A comparison was made with the variation of water level and flow observed simultaneously with radon measurement, to investigate a dynamic link with post-seismic radon with underground water conditions. This study confirmed a response of radon concentration to the seismic wave, and also raised other scientific issues, such as the dynamic association between geochemical composition of underground water and medium parameter variation of aquifers under dynamic loading, which may support the study of the mechanism of earthquake precursors of radon.     

Development of cataract and corneal opacity in mice due to radon exposure

This work investigates the radiation damage on the eye of albino mice exposed to effective radon doses ranging from 20.92 to 83.68 mSv. These doses were taken over 2–8 weeks using a radon chamber constructed by the National Institute for Standard (Egypt). The guidance on the quality assurance program for radon measurements was followed. Therefore, the estimated doses received by the laboratory animals meet the requirements of national standard. The refractive index(RI) and protein concentration were measured for soluble proteins of both corneas and lenses. In addition, the sodium dodecyle sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDSPAGE) technique was used. The results show increasing of the RI of both cornea and lens proteins and decreasing in total protein concentration of exposed animals. These results were accompanied with changes in the SDSPAGE profile for both cornea and lens. Therefore, radon exposure produces substantial hazards to the cornea and lens of experimental animals and has a crucial role in the development of cataract and corneal opacity.     

Abel transform on PSL(2, ℝ) and some of its applications

We shall investigate the use of Abel transform on PSL₂(ℝ) as a tool beyond K-biinvariant setup, discuss its properties and show some applications.     

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.     

Radiochemical characterization of spring waters in Balaton Upland, Hungary, estimation of radiation dose to members of public

Hungary is rich in spring waters. A survey studying the naturally occurring alpha emitter radionuclides in 30 frequently visited and regularly consumed spring waters was conducted out in the Balaton Upland region of Hungary.²²⁶Ra, ²²⁴Ra, ²³⁴U, ²³⁸U and ²¹⁰Po activity concentrations were determined by using alpha spectrometry after separation from matrix elements. Average concentration (mBq L^{− 1}) of ²²⁶Ra, ²²⁴Ra, ²³⁴U, ²³⁸U and ²¹⁰Po in the spring waters is varied from 2.1 to 601, from < 1.1 to 65.4, from 3.9 to 741.9, from < 0.44 to 274.3 and from 2 to 15.2 respectively. In most cases radioactive disequilibrium was observed between uranium and radium isotopes. The doses for the analyzed samples of spring water are in the range 3.59–166.73 μSv y^{− 1} with an average 18.2 μSv y^{− 1} .This is well below the 100 μSv y^{− 1} reference level of the committed effective dose recommended by WHO. Only one water sample had a dose higher than 100 μSv y^{− 1}, mainly due to the contribution from radium (²²⁶Ra, ²²⁴Ra) and ²¹⁰Po isotopes. This study provides important information for consumers and authorities about their internal radiological exposure risk from spring water intake.     

Ra in geothermal and bottled mineral waters of Hungary

Geothermal waters have been used on a large scale for bathing, drinking and medical purposes, while the consumption of bottled mineral waters is increasing. In this work, radon and radium activity concentrations of thermal and bottled mineral waters, originating from different regions of Hungary, were studied by different radioanalytical methods. It was found that the thermal springs, which supply the world famous baths of Budapest along the right riverside of the Danube, have high ²²²Rn and ²²⁶Ra activity concentration: up to about 100 and 1 kBqm⁻³, respectively. The radium content of some investigated geothermal waters found in the NE region of the Great Hungarian Plain is even higher: up to several kBqm⁻³. The ²²⁶Ra content of bottled mineral waters, commercially available in Hungary, was determined by gamma-spectrometric method, applying radiochemical separation. The highest value exceeded 2 kBqm⁻³ in the case of the Apenta mineral water, which is a popular brand in Hungary, as well as in Europe and North America.