A Study of Radium Concentration and Radon Exhalation Rate in Soil Samples from Kassala Town, Sudan Using SSNTDs

Abstract

Abstract:In this work, we are presenting the results of radium concentration, surface and mass radon exhalation rates for a number of 209 soil samples collected from different locations of Kassala town, Sudan, by using the can technique, containing CR-39. The values of radium concentrations from soil samples were found to be ranging from 3.9 to 34.2 Bq.kg -1 , with an average of 16.3 ± 1.6 Bq.kg -1 . The surface and mass exhalation rates of radon were found to be from 0.84 to 7.35 Bq.m -2 .h -1 and 17 to 148 mBq.kg -1 .h -1 , with an averages of 3.50 ± 0.35 Bq.m -2 .h -1 and 70 ± 7 mBq.kg -1 .h -1 , respectively for the studied soil samples. From the results of this study we found that, there was a good correlation between radium concentration and radon exhalation rates in soil samples. The values of radium concentration determined in soil samples are less than the permissible value of 370 Bq.kg -1 recommended by Organization for Economic Cooperation and Developments, which is acceptable for safe use. Thus, results reveal that the area is safe as far the health hazard effects are concerned. Finally we compare our results with similar findings in different regions of Sudan and among other Countries.

Determination of radon exhalation rates in soil samples using sealed can technique and CR-39 detectors

“…Figures 3 and 4 shows the correlation between radium concentration with both surface and mass exhalation rates for Bethlehem governorate, there is a linear correlation appeared throughout these figures, this findings is similar to that found in other studies [ 27 , 28 , 31 ] (Fig. 5 ).…”

“…The annual exposure to potential alpha energy (effective dose equivalent , E eff ) is then related to the average radon concentration by following expression [ 27 , 28 ]: Where, C Rn is in Bqm −3 ; n is the fraction of time spent indoors ( n = 0.8); 8760, the number of hours per year; 170, the number of hours per working month and F is the equilibrium factor for radon and is taken as 0.4 as suggested by UNSCEAR (2000) [ 29 ].…”

“… Av. Egypt (West delta) 290 950 – – – – [ 25 ] Sudan (El-Hosh) – – 4860 – – 100 [ 28 ] Iraq (Baghdad) 440 990 610 90 210 120 [ 35 ] India (Rushikulya) 140 359 197 5.0 14 8.0 [ 36 ] Pakistan (Dera Ismail Khan) 2210 3570 – – – – [ 37 ] Saudi Arabia 4580 8400 – 135 251 – [ 38 ] Palestine (Hebron) 58 153 106 2.2 5.9 4.1 [ 39 ] Palestine (Bethlehem) 6.9 207.2 52.2 0.26 7.84 1.97 Present Study …”

Measurement of 226Ra concentration and radon exhalation rate in rock samples from Al-Qusair area using CR-39

“…238 U is present in traces in most soil and rocks and it decays to 226 Ra, which is the parent of 222 Rn. The radium content of soil and rocks is responsible for the radon concentration in the ground (Elzain, 2015;UNSCEAR, 2000). Radon, 222 Rn, is a naturally occurring colorless, tasteless, odorless gas produced from the decay of 238 U series.…”

Radon Monitoring in the Environment

“…However, radon exposure shows an extreme variation from location to location and depends primarily on the exhalation rate of radon from the soil. It was recorded that radon exhalation rate studies are important for understanding the relative contribution of the material to the total radon concentration found inside the dwellings [11][12][13]. Radon and its daughters are emitted from building materials; one source of radon in houses is the building materials.…”