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Miklyaev PS, Petrova TB, Maksimovich NG, Krasikov AV, Klimshin AV, Shchitov DV, Sidyakin PA, Tsebro DN, Meshcheriakova OY. Comparative studies on radon seasonal variations in various undeground environments: Cases of abandoned Beshtaugorskiy uranium mine and Kungur Ice Cave. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2024; 272:107346. [PMID: 38043218 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2023.107346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
It is well known that one of the most important risk factors in underground environment is the harmful effects of radon. The reasons for strong seasonal fluctuations in radon content in underground environments remain not fully understood. The purpose of this article is to improve existing ideas about this phenomenon. The article presents the results of a study of radon transport in two different underground spaces - the Beshtaugorskiy uranium mine (North Caucasus) and the Kungur Ice Cave (Middle Ural). We have used the direct measurements of the equilibrium equivalent concentration (EEC) of radon progeny in air, as well as the air flow velocity. A very wide range and strong seasonal variations in the radon levels have been recorded in both cases. The EEC has a range of 11-6653 by Bq m-3 and 10-89,020 Bq m-3 in the Kungur cave and the Beshtaugorskiy mine, respectively. It has been established that seasonal fluctuations in radon levels both in the mine and in the cave are caused by the same process - convective air circulation in the underground space due to the temperature difference between the mountain massif and the atmosphere (so called chimney effect). Overall, these results indicate that due to convective air circulation, underground spaces are periodically intensively ventilated with atmospheric air, and then, on the contrary, they are filled with radon-enriched air that seeps into caves or adits from rocks and ores. In both cases, the EEC of radon progeny exceeds the permissible level for the population and workers. The results of this study highlight the need for the development of measures to limit the presence of people in the surveyed underground spaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petr S Miklyaev
- Sergeev Institute of Environmental Geoscience Russian Academy of Sciences (IEG RAS), 13/2 Ulansky Str., 101000, Moscow, Russia.
| | - Tatiana B Petrova
- Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Radiochemistry, 1/3 Leninskie Gory, GSP-1, 119991, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Alexey V Krasikov
- Mining Institute of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 78a Sibirskaya Str., 614007, Perm, Russia
| | | | - Dmitriy V Shchitov
- North Caucasus Federal University, Pyatigorsk Branch, Engineering Faculty, Department of Construction, 46a Ermolov Str., 357500, Pyatigorsk, Russia
| | - Pavel A Sidyakin
- North Caucasus Federal University, Pyatigorsk Branch, Engineering Faculty, Department of Construction, 46a Ermolov Str., 357500, Pyatigorsk, Russia
| | - Dmitriy N Tsebro
- North Caucasus Federal University, Pyatigorsk Branch, Engineering Faculty, Department of Construction, 46a Ermolov Str., 357500, Pyatigorsk, Russia
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Bachirou S, Saïdou, Kranrod C, Nkoulou Ii JEN, Bongue D, Abba HY, Hosoda M, Njock MGK, Tokonami S. Mapping in a radon-prone area in Adamawa region, Cameroon, by measurement of radon activity concentration in soil. RADIATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOPHYSICS 2023; 62:427-439. [PMID: 37535128 DOI: 10.1007/s00411-023-01042-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
The radon-prone area of the Adamawa region in Cameroon is characterized by high natural radiation background resulting from the high concentrations of radium-226, thorium-232, and indoor radon. To produce a radon-risk map, radon measurements in soil were carried out in the city of Ngaoundere. The radon activity concentration in soil gas ranged from 256 to 166 kBq m-3 with a mean of 80 kBq m-3 and a standard deviation of 38 kBq m-3. The area is mostly classified as high risk (80%) according to the Swedish classification, and 20% as medium risk. A low-risk area was not observed. Granite-like geology sites were characterized by higher radon concentration. A ratio of about 295:1 was obtained for soil radon gas to indoor radon concentrations, with a positive correlation (R = 0.40), and a transfer factor of 3 per mil. These results demonstrate that in situ measurements of radon concentration in soil can provide accurate information on the level of indoor radon concentrations. Geostatistical and deterministic interpolation techniques have been used to obtain a radon map by comparing the suitability of ordinary kriging and inverse-distance-weighted (IDW) interpolation methods. It turned out that there is not much difference in the prediction errors of the two techniques (Root Mean Square Error = 34.4 for ordinary kriging and 34.3 for IDW). It is concluded that both methods give acceptable results. In situ measurements and geostatistical analysis allow assessment of expected indoor radon exposure in a given area at reduced costs and time required. However, for the investigated area, more research is needed to produce reliable radon-risk maps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soumayah Bachirou
- Centre for Atomic Molecular Physics and Quantum Optics, University of Douala, PO Box 8580, Douala, Cameroon
- Local Material Promotion Authority, PO BOX 2396, Yaoundé, Cameroon
- Research Centre for Nuclear Science and Technology, Institute of Geological and Mining Research, PO Box 4110, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Saïdou
- Research Centre for Nuclear Science and Technology, Institute of Geological and Mining Research, PO Box 4110, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
- Nuclear Physics Laboratory, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé I, PO Box 812, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
| | - Chutima Kranrod
- Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, Hirosaki City, Aomori, 036-8564, Japan
| | - Joseph Emmanuel Ndjana Nkoulou Ii
- Centre for Atomic Molecular Physics and Quantum Optics, University of Douala, PO Box 8580, Douala, Cameroon
- Research Centre for Nuclear Science and Technology, Institute of Geological and Mining Research, PO Box 4110, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Daniel Bongue
- Centre for Atomic Molecular Physics and Quantum Optics, University of Douala, PO Box 8580, Douala, Cameroon
| | - Hamadou Yerima Abba
- Research Centre for Nuclear Science and Technology, Institute of Geological and Mining Research, PO Box 4110, Yaoundé, Cameroon
| | - Masahiro Hosoda
- Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, Hirosaki City, Aomori, 036-8564, Japan
- Department of Radiation Science, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Hirosaki City, Aomori, Japan
| | - Moise Godfroy Kwato Njock
- Centre for Atomic Molecular Physics and Quantum Optics, University of Douala, PO Box 8580, Douala, Cameroon
| | - Shinji Tokonami
- Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, Hirosaki City, Aomori, 036-8564, Japan
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Garba NN, Abdulkadir M, Nasiru R, Saleh MA, Bello S, Khandaker MU, Che Abdullah CA, Kankara UM. In situ assessment of terrestrial gamma radiation dose and associated radiological hazards in Katsina State, Nigeria. ISOTOPES IN ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH STUDIES 2023; 59:112-125. [PMID: 36735938 DOI: 10.1080/10256016.2023.2172001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Terrestrial gamma radiation dose (TGRD) rates were measured in situ from different locations in Katsina State, Nigeria, using a portable radiation survey metre based on geological formations and soil types. The measured TGRD rates ranged from 45 to 271 nGyh-1 with an average value of 116 ± 1 nGyh-1. Geological formation (silicified sheared rock) and soil type (lithosols and ferruginous crusts and ferruginous tropical soils) appeared to have the highest mean TGRD values of 163 and 134 nGyh-1 with sandstone geological formation and alluvial and hydromorphic soils having the lowest TGRD with values of 80 and 61 nGyh-1, respectively. One way ANOVA results shows that the tested null hypothesis was rejected. Thus, indicating that there exists a strong relationship between the various geological formations, soil types with the measured TGRD values based on the alternate hypothesis. Human health hazard indices like annual effective dose equivalent (AEDE), lifetime outdoor annual equivalent dose, and relative excess lifetime outdoor cancer risk associated with the mean TGRD of the study area were also calculated and found to be 0.711, 9.955 mSv, and 5.79 × 10-4, respectively. These values were higher than the world average values but favourable compared with the safety limits recommended by ICRP.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mukhtar Abdulkadir
- Department of Physics, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
- Department of Physics, Isa Kaita College of Education, Katsina State, Nigeria
| | - Rabiu Nasiru
- Department of Physics, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
| | - Muneer Aziz Saleh
- Nuclear Engineering Programme, School of Chemical and Energy Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johore Bahru, Malaysia
- National Atomic Energy Commission (NATEC), Sana'a, Yemen
| | - Suleiman Bello
- Department of Physics, Umaru Musa Yar'adua University, Katsina, Nigeria
| | - Mayeen Uddin Khandaker
- Centre for Applied Physics and Radiation Technologies, School of Engineering and Technology, Sunway University, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Che Azurahanim Che Abdullah
- Material Synthesis and Characterization Laboratory, Institute of Advanced Technology (ITMA), University Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, University Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
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Omar AE, Sakr MAH, Taalab SA, Bakhit ABA, Pugliese M, La Verde G, Hanfi MY. Geotechnical and environmental radioactivity investigations at Al Sādis Min Uktōber city, Cairo municipality (Egypt), for the high-speed railway construction. Appl Radiat Isot 2023; 193:110664. [PMID: 36669267 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2023.110664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
The present study aims to evaluate the possibility of constructing a new high-speed railway (HSR) at Al Sādis Min Uktōber city, Cairo (Egypt): geotechnical and environmental radiological hazards are estimated from several collected soil and water samples. A variety of laboratory geotechnical tests such as grain size, free swelling test, liquid and plastic limits, chemical analysis and uniaxial compression strength are applied to sixty-one drill holes. A geotechnical examination of the coarse-grained soil at the foundation level classified it as poorly graded soil. The results of the investigation of fine-grained soil at the foundation level shown that the liquid limit ranges from 22% to 55%, the plastic limit ranges from 12% to 28%, the plasticity index varies from 11% to 33%, free swelling varies from 51% to 71%. Mechanically, the uniaxial compressive strength values on rock samples range from 6.96 MPa to 142.39 MPa. The radioactive study is performed to detect the 226Ra, 232Th, and 40 K activity concentrations of the soil samples: their mean values are 34 ± 10 Bq·kg-1, 14 ± 5 Bq·kg-1 and 552 ± 20 Bq·kg-1, respectively. The values of radiological hazard indexes are not exceeded the permissible limits: e.g. the mean value of absorbed dose rate is 47 ± 6 nGy h-1; the annual gonadal dose equivalent is 0.3 ± 0.04 mSv·y-1; the lifetime cancer risk is 02 ± 0.2·10-3. Thus, the soil in the studied railway area is safe to use in building materials and infrastructure applications: the radiological hazards and the geotechnical studies confirmed the studied area is suitable to construct a new community having a HSR. According to the SWOT-PEST and environmental impact analyses, the construction of the HSR meets the criteria of the Kyoto Protocol, the EU Climate and Energy policy, and other international treaties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali E Omar
- Nuclear Materials Authority, El Maadi, Cairo, P.O. Box 530, Egypt
| | - Mohamed A H Sakr
- Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, P.O. Box, 11884, Egypt.
| | - Sherif A Taalab
- Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, P.O. Box, 11884, Egypt
| | | | - M Pugliese
- University of Naples Federico II, Department of Physics "E. Pancini", Via Cinthia 21, 80126, Napoli, Italy
| | - G La Verde
- University of Naples Federico II, Department of Physics "E. Pancini", Via Cinthia 21, 80126, Napoli, Italy
| | - Mohamed Y Hanfi
- Nuclear Materials Authority, El Maadi, Cairo, P.O. Box 530, Egypt; Institute of Physics and Technology, Ural Federal University, St. Mira, 19, 620002, Yekaterinburg, Russia.
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Hanfi MY, Abdel Gawad AE, Ali KG, Abu-Donia A, Alsafi KG, Khafaji MA, Albahiti SK, Alqahtani MS, Khalil M, Abdel Wahed AA. Environmental risk assessment associated with acidic volcanics in Egypt. Appl Radiat Isot 2022; 188:110413. [PMID: 35994917 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2022.110413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The present work aims to study gamma rays emitted by radionuclides such as 238U, 232Th and 40K from acidic Monqul volcanics. The studied volcanics are represented by a thick stratified lava flows interbanded with their pyroclastics. They are composed of thick lava flows of andesite and, to a lesser extent of basalt, and acidic volcanics including rhyolite and dacite. The average values of 238U, 232Th and 40K are (46 ± 24 Bq kg-1), (62 ± 11 Bq kg-1) and (1227 ± 318 Bq kg-1) in the rhyolite-dacite samples are greater than the worldwide average. The variation of radioactive bearing minerals observed inside granite faults produced the great amounts of radioactivity perceived in the samples. Calculating radiological risks is used to assess the public's radioactive risk from radionuclides revealed in the studied Rhyolite-dacite samples. The acceptable limit for excess lifetime cancer (ELCR) evaluations has been exceeded. As a result, Rhyolite-dacite are inappropriate for apply in building materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Y Hanfi
- Nuclear Materials Authority, P.O. Box 530 El-Maadi, Cairo, Egypt; Institute of Physics and Technology, Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, Russia.
| | | | - Khaled G Ali
- Nuclear Materials Authority, P.O. Box 530 El-Maadi, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Atef Abu-Donia
- Nuclear Materials Authority, P.O. Box 530 El-Maadi, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Khalid G Alsafi
- Radiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia; Radiology Department, Medical Physics Unit, King Abdulaziz University, Hospital, King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia
| | - M A Khafaji
- Radiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia; Radiology Department, Medical Physics Unit, King Abdulaziz University, Hospital, King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sarah K Albahiti
- Radiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia; Radiology Department, Medical Physics Unit, King Abdulaziz University, Hospital, King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed S Alqahtani
- Department of Radiological Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, 61421, Saudi Arabia; BioImaging Unit, Space Research Centre, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE1 7RH, United Kingdom
| | - Magdy Khalil
- Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Damietta University, Egypt
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La Verde G, D'Avino V, Sabbarese C, Roca V, Pugliese M. Radon surveys and effectiveness of remedial actions in spas on the Ischia island (Italy). Appl Radiat Isot 2022; 185:110221. [DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2022.110221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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Mir AA, Kearfott KJ, Çelebi FV, Rafique M. Imputation by feature importance (IBFI): A methodology to envelop machine learning method for imputing missing patterns in time series data. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0262131. [PMID: 35025953 PMCID: PMC8758196 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0262131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
A new methodology, imputation by feature importance (IBFI), is studied that can be applied to any machine learning method to efficiently fill in any missing or irregularly sampled data. It applies to data missing completely at random (MCAR), missing not at random (MNAR), and missing at random (MAR). IBFI utilizes the feature importance and iteratively imputes missing values using any base learning algorithm. For this work, IBFI is tested on soil radon gas concentration (SRGC) data. XGBoost is used as the learning algorithm and missing data are simulated using R for different missingness scenarios. IBFI is based on the physically meaningful assumption that SRGC depends upon environmental parameters such as temperature and relative humidity. This assumption leads to a model obtained from the complete multivariate series where the controls are available by taking the attribute of interest as a response variable. IBFI is tested against other frequently used imputation methods, namely mean, median, mode, predictive mean matching (PMM), and hot-deck procedures. The performance of the different imputation methods was assessed using root mean squared error (RMSE), mean squared log error (MSLE), mean absolute percentage error (MAPE), percent bias (PB), and mean squared error (MSE) statistics. The imputation process requires more attention when multiple variables are missing in different samples, resulting in challenges to machine learning methods because some controls are missing. IBFI appears to have an advantage in such circumstances. For testing IBFI, Radon Time Series Data (RTS) has been used and data was collected from 1st March 2017 to the 11th of May 2018, including 4 seismic activities that have taken place during the data collection time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adil Aslam Mir
- Department of Computer Engineering, Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University, Ayvalı, Keçiören/Ankara, Turkey
- Department of Computer Science and Information Technology, University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan
| | - Kimberlee Jane Kearfott
- Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Fatih Vehbi Çelebi
- Department of Computer Engineering, Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University, Ayvalı, Keçiören/Ankara, Turkey
| | - Muhammad Rafique
- Department of Physics King Abdullah Campus, University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan
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Study of Surface Emissions of 220Rn (Thoron) at Two Sites in the Campi Flegrei Caldera (Italy) during Volcanic Unrest in the Period 2011–2017. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/app11135809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The study concerns the analysis of 220Rn (thoron) recorded in the surface soil in two sites of the Campi Flegrei caldera (Naples, Southern Italy) characterized by phases of volcanic unrest in the seven-year period 1 July 2011–31 December 2017. Thoron comes only from the most surface layer, so the characteristics of its time series are strictly connected to the shallow phenomena, which can also act at a distance from the measuring point in these particular areas. Since we measured 220Rn in parallel with 222Rn (radon), we found that by using the same analysis applied to radon, we obtained interesting information. While knowing the limits of this radioisotope well, we highlight only the particular characteristics of the emissions of thoron in the surface soil. Here, we show that it also shows some clear features found in the radon signal, such as anomalies and signal trends. Consequently, we provide good evidence that, in spite of the very short life of 220Rn compared to 222Rn, both are related to the carrier effect of CO2, which has significantly increased in the last few years within the caldera. The hydrothermal alterations, induced by the increase in temperature and pressure of the caldera system, occur in the surface soils and significantly influence thoron’s power of exhalation from the surface layer. The effects on the surface thoron are reflected in both sites, but with less intensity, the same behavior of 222Rn following the increasing movements and fluctuations of the geophysical and geochemical parameters (CO2 flux, fumarolic tremor, background seismicity, soil deformation). An overall linear correlation was found between the 222−220Rn signals, indicating the effect of the CO2 vector. The overall results represent a significant step forward in the use and interpretation of the thoron signal.
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Fijałkowska-Lichwa L, Przylibski TA. Assessment of occupational exposure from radon in the newly formed underground tourist route under Książ castle, Poland. RADIATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOPHYSICS 2021; 60:329-345. [PMID: 33742235 PMCID: PMC8116260 DOI: 10.1007/s00411-021-00903-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
In the present study, 222Rn activity concentrations in a newly formed underground tourist route under Książ castle, Poland, were investigated for periods undisturbed and disturbed by construction works. This preliminary assessment is based on the almost 3-year long continuous measurements (28 Oct. 2016-02 Jul. 2019) done with an SRDN-3 instrument. In detail described are radon concentrations for periods of renovation (11 Aug. 2018-10 Oct. 2018), opening (15 Oct. 2018-10 Apr. 2019) and operation and monitoring (11 Apr. 2019-02 Jul. 2019) of the facility. It was observed that after the termination of construction work, when natural ventilation returned to the state preceding this work, the absolute values of radon activity concentration decreased. The mean annual radon concentrations were higher than the reference level of radon concentration in underground spaces recommended by IAEA, ICRP, and by the EU Council Directive for workplaces. They reached 1179 Bq/m3 and 943 Bq/m3 in 2017 and 2018, respectively. Cyclically recurring daily changes in radon concentrations occurred only in April and October (so-called transitional periods) and only outside the period of construction work. The results confirmed; however, that these changes need not be considered when planning the work in the tunnel. The minimum effective dose rate from radon exposure occurs in colder periods of the year, from November to the end of March, where the mean effective dose rate value was found to be 0.0003 mSv/h. In contrast, the maximum dose rate of 0.014 mSv/h was observed from April to August.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidia Fijałkowska-Lichwa
- Faculty of Civil Engineering, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Wybrzeże S. Wyspiańskiego 27, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Tadeusz A. Przylibski
- Faculty of Geoengineering, Mining and Geology, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Wybrzeże S. Wyspiańskiego 27, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland
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Sabbarese C, Ambrosino F, D'Onofrio A. Development of radon transport model in different types of dwellings to assess indoor activity concentration. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2021; 227:106501. [PMID: 33310392 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2020.106501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The influence of different building types on the activity concentration of Radon indoor is studied through transport models in soil and building materials. The numerical solutions of the relevant transport equations are solved by the finite differences method (FDM) and used to evaluate the indoor Radon activity concentration. Several boundary conditions are introduced to simulate the Radon entry into the buildings from soils and to assess the Radon activity concentration at the different floors. The types of dwelling investigated differ in the position of the lower floor respect to the ground. Comparisons are made to modeling assessments obtained considering different soil characteristics underneath the building and building materials to simulate indoor Radon activity concentration. These investigations lead to the conclusion that, in addition to the nature of the soil and building materials, the position of lower floor of dwellings plays a significant role in determining the amount of radon entry into residential buildings. This work is effective to assess the health hazards coming from the Radon accumulation in living environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Sabbarese
- Department of Mathematics and Physics, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Viale Lincoln 5, 81100, Caserta, Italy.
| | - F Ambrosino
- Department of Mathematics and Physics, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Viale Lincoln 5, 81100, Caserta, Italy
| | - A D'Onofrio
- Department of Mathematics and Physics, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Viale Lincoln 5, 81100, Caserta, Italy
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Connection between 222Rn emission and geophysical-geochemical parameters recorded during the volcanic unrest at Campi Flegrei caldera (2011–2017). Appl Radiat Isot 2020; 166:109385. [PMID: 32979758 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2020.109385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Ambrosino F, Roca V, Buompane R, Sabbarese C. Development and calibration of a method for direct measurement of 220Rn (thoron) activity concentration. Appl Radiat Isot 2020; 166:109310. [DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2020.109310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2019] [Revised: 05/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Sabbarese C, Ambrosino F, Roca V. ANALYSIS BY SCANNER OF TRACKS PRODUCED BY RADON ALPHA PARTICLES IN CR-39 DETECTORS. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2020; 191:154-159. [PMID: 33125480 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncaa140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The most used passive detectors for Radon measurement are the CR39s, both for the good stability of the material and for the practicality of use. But, commercial reading systems are expensive and not always fast. The aim of the present work was the development of a method for a rapid, efficient and economic evaluation of the result of the indoor Radon measurement performed with CR39 detectors. The analysis and acquisition of detector images were performed using a photo scanner and the free ImageJ software. Several groups of CR-39 detectors were exposed, developed and analysed. Calibration curve was obtained in a wide range of exposure values (200-12 000 kBq·h·m -3) to allow the procedure to be applied in all possible measurement environments. Furthermore, a statistical study was carried out on the shape and size of nuclear tracks after chemical development. The dependence of the track size on Radon exposure was effective in showing the trace saturation effect as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Sabbarese
- Department of Mathematics and Physics, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Viale Lincoln 5, Caserta 81100, Italy
- National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), Branch of Naples, via Cintia 21, Naples 80126, Italy
| | - F Ambrosino
- Department of Mathematics and Physics, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Viale Lincoln 5, Caserta 81100, Italy
- National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), Branch of Naples, via Cintia 21, Naples 80126, Italy
| | - V Roca
- National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), Branch of Naples, via Cintia 21, Naples 80126, Italy
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Increased radon concentration in Katalekhor tourist cave during an earthquake compared with 10 years of follow-up data. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-020-07389-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Ambrosino F, Sabbarese C, Roca V, Giudicepietro F, Chiodini G. Analysis of 7-years Radon time series at Campi Flegrei area (Naples, Italy) using artificial neural network method. Appl Radiat Isot 2020; 163:109239. [DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2020.109239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Revised: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Continuous radon monitoring during seven years of volcanic unrest at Campi Flegrei caldera (Italy). Sci Rep 2020; 10:9551. [PMID: 32533027 PMCID: PMC7293226 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-66590-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
This is a seven-year study (1/7/2011-31/12/2017) of radon monitoring at two sites of Campi Flegrei caldera (Neaples, Southern Italy) that in the last 70 years experienced repeated phases of volcanic unrest. The sites are equipped with devices for radon detection, based on the spectrometry analysis of the α-particles of radon daughters. A hybrid method, as combination of three known methods, is applied for the identification of residuals (anomalies) and trends of the time series of Radon. The results are compared with the following indicators of current caldera unrest: the tremor caused by the major fumarolic vent registered by a seismic station; the cumulative of background seismicity; the maximum vertical deformation acquired by GPS networks during the current phase of uplift; the temperature-pressure of the hydrothermal system estimated based on gas geo-indicators. The comparisons show strong correlation among independent signals and suggest that the extension of the area affected by current Campi Flegrei crisis is larger than the area of seismicity and of intense hydrothermal activity from which the radon stations are 1–4 km away. These results represent an absolute novelty in the study of a such calderic area and mark a significant step forward in the use and interpretation of the radon signal.
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