Radon concentration in three Florida caves: Florida, Jennings, and Ocala

Smith, Megan E.; Dumitru, Oana Alexandra; Burghele, Bety-Denissa; Cucoş, Alexandra; Onac, Bogdan P.

doi:10.1007/s13146-018-0473-7

Cited by 8 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 27 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Rn concentration was measured using CR-39 detectors following Sainz et al (2007), Somlai et al (2011), Dumitru et al (2016 and Smith et al (2019). These detectors were fastened under the cap of a cylindrical polypropylene container that prevents Rn decay products and 220 Rn from entering.…”

Section: Methods and Studied Cavesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Rn can accumulate in karst caves due to their low ventilation, representing anomalies in Rn (Elío et al 2017). Annual average Rn concentrations in karst caves ranges typically from 0.2 to 15 kBq•m -3 (Kobal et al 1986(Kobal et al , 1987Hakl et al 1997;Vaupotič 2010;Somlai et al 2011;Bourges et al 2014;Nguyet et al 2018;Smith et al 2019), being 2.8 kBq•m -3 the average concentration measured in 220 caves around the World (Hakl et al 1997). However, higher concentrations have been reported, for instance: 155 kBq•m -3 in the UK (Gunn et al 1991), 23-168 kBq•m -3 in Spain (Dueñas et al 1999;Lario et al 2005;Fernandez-Cortes et al 2009;Alvarez-Gallego et al 2015), 4-123 kBq•m -3 in China (Wang et al 2019), 88 kBq•m -3 in Greece (Papastefanou et al 2003), 84 kBq•m -3 in USA (Kowalczk and Froelich 2010) and 27-54 kBq•m -3 in Slovenia (Gregorič et al 2013).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Radon concentration in caves as a proxy for tectonic activity in The Cantabrian Mountains (Spain)

Ballesteros

Llana‐Fúnez

Meléndez-Asensio

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Radon (Rn) constitutes a good geochemical tracer for neotectonic activity in faults since associated fracturing near the surface favours fluid escape to the atmosphere. In this contribution, we measured the Rn concentration in the air inside karst caves to constraints the recent fault activity in the Cantabrian Mountains (N Spain). Rock formations exhumed during the uplifting of the Cantabrian Mountains record a long history of fracturing, which has the potential to connect deeper sources of Rn with the surface. In this regional study, we correlate Rn measurements with cave survey data and geological structures using a Geographic Information Systems. Thirty-four Rn average concentration was recorded by CR-39 detectors during 8 integrated months. The method is applied to the central part of the Cantabrian Mountains that is built on sedimentary and low-grade metamorphic rocks relatively poor in U. Dominant tectonic structures and Rn concentration are examined in 28 cavities. The concentration of Rn values is higher than 0.5 kBq·m-3 in caves developed preferably following fractures with the direction N30oW, being the concentration greater than 0.8 kBq·m-3 in cavities located less than 200±50 m from subvertical faults with such orientation. Rn anomalies point to relative high connectivity along subvertical fault zones NW-trending, preserving fracture connectivity in the most recent structures in the Cantabrian Mountains. Finally, in the study area there is a low but significant radioactive hazard which is associated to fault zones in a fractured rock massif. It contrasts with other active tectonic settings where the radioactive hazard may come from fault movements.

show abstract

Section: Methods and Studied Cavesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Radon concentration in caves as a proxy for tectonic activity in The Cantabrian Mountains (Spain)

Ballesteros

Llana‐Fúnez

Meléndez-Asensio

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Given the results, seasonal changes observed in the annual cycle are typical for many underground facilities in the world (Barbosa et al 2010vási et al 2010Vaupotič et al 2010;Alvarez-Gallego et al 2015;Gillmore at al. 2005;Groves-Kirby et al 2015;Tchorz-Trzeciakiewicz and Parkitny 2015;Kleinschmidt et al 2018;Smith et al 2019;Pla et al 2020Pla et al , 2023Ambrosino et al 2020;Smetanová et al 2023;Miklayev et al 2024). Daily changes in 222 Rn activity concentrations are not significant but are dependent on the seasonal changes.…”

Section: Highlightsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fractal discrete fracture network modeling of radon gas concentration in underground tunnels under Książ Castle in Poland

Fijałkowska–Lichwa,

Ajayi

2024

Bull Eng Geol Environ

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The numerical modeling of radon concentrations in the fault zone of the underground excavations at Książ Castle was conducted using a stochastic Discrete Fracture Network (DFN) model. Due to the difficulties related with obtaining the exact fractures in a rock mass, the novel approach used in this study incorporates the stochastic model with known site data. The analysis utilized a dataset comprising long-term measurements of 222Rn activity concentration and geodetic measurements for twelve faults in the Książ unit. The parameters considered in the DFN model are: fracture length, Peclet number (Pe = 0.1 and 1.0, respectively), advection velocities (from 10–8 m/s to 10–6 m/s and from range from 10–7 m/s to 10–4 m/s, respectively), radon diffusion (D = 2.1 × 10–61/s), radon decay constant (λ = 1/s), and radon gas generation (q) along the fractures within the range of 1.5 × 10–3 Bq/m3·s to 3.5 × 10–3 Bq/m3·s. The calibration process obtained the best fit when the radon generation rate was uniformly distributed through the rock mass in addition to incorporating a higher value of radon generation rate (q = 3.0 × 10–3 Bq/m3·s) where elevated radon concentrations have been measured. The modeling results also confirmed that the radon generation rate should always be higher where elevated radon activity concentrations were measured regardless of the measurement period. For the indicated “area” the radon generation rate should be higher from 25% to 37.5% between May–October and 18.5% to 40% between November–April. The influence of fracture zones on the recorded radon activity concentrations was noticeable up to a depth of 15 m. Within this range, the highest values of 222Rn activity concentration, ranging from 1,600 Bq/m3 to 2,000 Bq/m3, were consistently observed regardless of the season. However, as the depth increased, the values of 222Rn activity concentration decreased from 800 Bq/m3 to 400 Bq/m3 and became more dispersed.

show abstract

“…Surveys on radon in the air of caves in several countries have been performed to study the radon levels and relate their contribution to health implications for tourists, tourist guides, and cave maintenance workers [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23]. Tourists' exposure to radon during their brief visit to the cave may be insignificant; however, tourist guides and maintenance workers, who spend the majority of their working time in the cave, can receive significant radiation exposure.…”

Section: Introduction mentioning

confidence: 99%

Geologic Influence on Radon Concentrations Levels in Cave: A Case Study of Mimpi Cave in the Maros Karst of South Sulawesi, Indonesia

Syarbaini,

Kusdiana,

Wahyudi

et al. 2023

Atom Indo.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Radon gas in the natural environment mainly comes from the release of local bedrock geology and easily accumulate in closed spaces such as basements and caves. This study was performed to investigate the radon concentrations in Mimpi Cave, Bantimurung-Bulusaraung National Park, in the Maros karst area, South Sulawesi, and discussed a possible relationship between the radon concentrations and the local geology. Measurements were carried out using a passive detection technique with CR-39 nuclear tracks detectors by exposing it for a period of three months. The 222Rn levels measured inside the cave ranges from 64.03 Bq m‑3 to 3396.02 Bq m‑3, with an average value of 1075.05 Bq m‑3.The results are comparable with radon concentration in different caves environments reported from other surveys in several countries. Geological background of the Maros Karst areas could sustain the measured radon values, due to the presence of limestone rock with a mineral composition which can lead to higher radon concentrations in Mimpi Cave.

show abstract

Radon concentration in three Florida caves: Florida, Jennings, and Ocala

Cited by 8 publications

References 27 publications

Radon concentration in caves as a proxy for tectonic activity in The Cantabrian Mountains (Spain)

Radon concentration in caves as a proxy for tectonic activity in The Cantabrian Mountains (Spain)

Fractal discrete fracture network modeling of radon gas concentration in underground tunnels under Książ Castle in Poland

Geologic Influence on Radon Concentrations Levels in Cave: A Case Study of Mimpi Cave in the Maros Karst of South Sulawesi, Indonesia

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About