Impact of the deeper geological basement on soil gas and indoor radon concentrations in areas of Quaternary fluvial sediments (Bohemian Massif, Czech Republic)

Abstract

The relationship of soil gas radon Rn 222 and indoor radon was studied within the Quaternary fluvial sediments of the Czech Republic. The processing of data selection from the radon database of the Czech Geological Survey and indoor radon data (database of the National Radiation Protection institute) has proved the concentration dependence of radon in Quaternary fluvial sediments on deeper bedrock. The ArcGIS processing was accompanied by the field verification in five profiles, intersecting the granitoid Central Bohemian Plutonic Complex and its rim rock types. Both theoretical and experimental results show dependence of soil gas radon and indoor radon concentrations in Quaternary fluvial sediments on deeper geological basement, thus leading to the conclusion that the lateral transport of Quaternary sediments does not play such a dominant role in radon concentrations, as was thought previously. This fact will enable to determine precisely the radon index of Quaternary sediments (in the Czech radon mapping classified as an intermediate index) into three categories according to the lithology of their geological basement.

Identification of high radon dwellings, risk of exposure, and geogenic potential in the mining area of the “TREPČA” complex

“…In order to assess the radon geogenic potential for dwellings 1, 16, and 26, the methodology proposed by Barnet, 36 which is based on radon indexes according to the weight percentage of fine fraction in soil (particles smaller than 65 μm) and radon in soil gas concentrations (Table 4), was used. Soils with a weight percentage of the fine fraction below 15% are classified as high permeable, in the range of 15%–65% as medium permeable, and in the case of the fine fraction above 65% as low permeable.…”

“…Radon concentration in soil was determined using a soil gas probe near the dwellings at a depth of 0.8 m in compliance with the standard measurement protocol. Based on soil gas radon concentration and granulation distribution of soil particles, it is possible to analyze geogenic radon potential (GRP) of examined sites 35,36 . A grain size distribution analysis of the soil samples was performed by the method of laser diffraction at the Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Novi Sad using a Malvern Mastersizer 2000 Particle Size Analyzer in the range from 0.02 μm to 2000 μm.…”

Measurement of Radon Activity in Soil Gas and the Geogenic Radon Potential Mapping Using RAD7 at Al-Tuwaitha Nuclear Site and the Surrounding Areas

“…Based on many years of extensive research in the Czech Republic, three categories of GRP were set: low (GRP < 10), medium (10 < GRP <35) and high (35 < GRP) [15], so all values of GRP are classified under the areas that have low GRP except for Ishtar \ Alttakhi school which classified under the areas that have medium GRP. According to Barnet and Pacherová [18] low GRP causes <230 Bq m -3 , medium GRP causes 230-460 Bq m -3 , high GRP causes >460 Bq m -3 indoor radon concentration, since the action level for IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) which is (1000 Bq/m 3 ) as a yearly average concentration for indoor radon in workplaces and Based on our results of GRP, all the chosen location are safe enough to categorize them under low radon risk areas.…”

Exploration and Investigation of High-Level Radon Medicinal Springs in the Crystalline Units: Lugicum

“…The maps of the radon risk seemed initially promising. At the Claim #1, however, it was found that they are constructed mostly "from the table", and areas with orthogneisses (such as metamorphic rock) had an intermediate radon-risk value (e.g., [78]). In contrast, all the Variscan granites were classified by high Rn-risk, but their fertility for radioactive waters was low in the area explored.…”