<p>Measurements of radon (&sup2 / &sup2 / &sup2 / Rn) concentration in soil gas are routinely used to locate geological fault zones. This study was undertaken to investigate the systematic effects that influence radon soil-gas measurements, in preparation for the first such fault zone measurements in South Africa.</p>

<p>Measurements of radon (&sup2 / &sup2 / &sup2 / Rn) concentration in soil gas are routinely used to locate geological fault zones. This study was undertaken to investigate the systematic effects that influence radon soil-gas measurements, in preparation for the first such fault zone measurements in South Africa.</p>

Magister Scientiae - MSc / Measurements of radon (222Rn) concentration in soil gas are routinely used to locate geological fault zones. This study was undertaken to investigate the systematic effects that influence radon soil-gas measurements, in preparation for the first such fault zone measurements in South Africa. The measurements were made at two zones (called A and B for ease of reference) on the iThemba LABS site, which is located in Faure, on the Cape Flats, Western Cape (South Africa). There are no known faults located in the vicinity (~ 10 km) of the site. The radon measurements were made using a RAD7 (Durridge) radon monitor, which makes use of alpha spectrometry. A steel soil probe, which is inserted into the soil, was used to transfer radon from a certain depth in the soil to the RAD7 monitor via a flexible tube. Measurements were made at five sampling areas (three in zone A (A1, A2 and A3) and two in zone B (B1 and B2)), on the site during the months of May, August and October 2006. The variation of soilgas radon concentration as a function of depth, time of day and meteorological data were studied. The depths at which measurements were made were generally 25, 50, 75 and 100 cm. (In August and October, some of the depths were not considered due to a high water table.) Atmospheric temperature, air humidity, wind speed and atmospheric pressure were measured using a portable weather tracker (Kestrel 4000). The highest radon concentrations recorded were 11000 ± 776 Bq.m-3 and 26900 ±1370 Bq.m-3 at a depth of 100 cm in zone A and B, respectively (May). Generally, the radon concentrations were significantly quenched during the August and October measurements relative to the May values. The May soil-gas radon concentration profiles as a function of depth were fitted using a chi-square minimization procedure in order to extract diffusion lengths. A functional form derived from a onedimensional diffusion model was used for the fitting. One the parameter of the fit function is the 226Ra activity concentration. This was determined by means of gammaray spectrometry (in-situ and laboratory-based). A MEDUSA-type detector system comprising a CsI(Na) scintillator crystal and a GPS signal receiver were used for the in-situ measurements. A high-purity germanium detector (2.6 keV FWHM resolution at 1.33 MeV, 45 % relative efficiency) was used for the laboratory measurements. Significant seasonal variations in soil-gas radon concentration were observed (concentrations were generally much lower during or after the rainy season due to the presence of a high water table, and possibly the presence of more lush vegetation causing more radon to escape to the atmosphere). Significant (up to a factor of 2) local variation in radon concentration was observed at a particular depth, in a particular zone during autumn (just after the dry season). The soil-gas radon concentrations (for depth > 25 cm) in zone B were ~ factor of 2 higher than in zone A. The difference is largely due to the fact that the 226Ra soil activity concentrations in zone B were higher than in zone A (by a factor of ~ 1.6). Significant correlations (with coefficients > 0.6) were found between soil-gas radon concentrations and soil 226Ra activity concentrations (using a combination of zone A and B data). No significant, robust correlations (with correlation coefficients > 0.6) were found between soil-gas radon concentrations and meteorological parameters. Often contradictory results (in terms of the sign of the coefficient) were found. From measurements made at two depths (25 and 50 cm) in zone A, over a 24 hour period, there is evidence of a statistically significant variation between night and day radon concentrations, with the former being higher. The one-dimensional diffusion model used to fit the measured radon concentration depth profiles failed to fit the data when the results for a depth of 25 cm were included. When the 25 cm data were excluded the fits yielded diffusion lengths that are more realistic, although significant variations in diffusion length were found in a particular zone. / South Africa

No description available.

This is a study of radon concentration levels in the air and water of homes in East-Central Indiana. The results of a survey of 69 homes in which both an air and water sample were analyzed for radon concentrations will be described; all homes in the survey derived their water sample from a well at the home site. Activated charcoal canisters were exposed in homes for two to three days; radon concentration levels in the air samples were then determined following the EPA procedures described by Gray and Windham (1). Radon concentrations in water were determined by the liquid scintillation method according to protocol utilizing the techniques described by Pritchard and Gesell (2). A questionnaire was completed by each participant which provided information such as home construction type, material, and location. Radon concentration results and questionnaire data were entered into a database; database searches were then conducted in order to establish conclusions associated with the study.(1) D.J. Gray and S.T. Windham, EERF Standard Operating Procedures for RN-222 Measurement Using Charcoal Canisters, EPA 520/5-87-005, (June 1987)(2) H.M. Pritchard and T.F. Gesell, Health Physics 33, 577, (1977). / Department of Physics and Astronomy

published_or_final_version / Applied Geosciences / Master / Master of Science

No description available.

CNEN / Radionuclídeos de ocorrência natural como o radônio (222Rn), seus produtos de decaimento e demais elementos provenientes das séries radioativas do urânio (238U e 235U) e do tório (232Th) representam importante fonte de exposição humana à radioatividade natural. A avaliação dos efeitos radiobiológicos e dos riscos a saúde decorrentes da exposição da população mundial a radionuclídeos naturais é uma preocupação crescente. Elementos como o radônio (222Rn), o torônio (220Rn), o rádio (226Ra), o tório (232Th) e o potássio (40K) podem ser encontrados em materiais comumente utilizados na construção de casas e edifícios. Nesse panorama, destaca-se o estudo da radioatividade proveniente de mármores e granitos, já que sob certas condições os níveis de radioatividade desses materiais podem ser perigosos requerendo, assim, a implementação de medidas mitigatórias para a utilização dos mesmos. Este trabalho apresenta um protocolo técnico de controle de exposição humana à radioatividade natural proveniente de rochas graníticas em marmorarias. O protocolo foi elaborado com base em medidas realizadas da concentração do gases 222Rn e 220Rn em rochas graníticas brasileiras que são comumente comercializadas nacionalmente e exportadas. Para as medidas de concentração de 222Rn e 220Rn foram utilizados os equipamentos AlphaGUARD (Saphymo GmbH) e RAD7 (Durridge Company), respectivamente. Para as medidas em ambos os equipamentos utilizados, as amostras de granito foram lacradas em frascos de vidro por 40 dias para que os radionuclídeos 226Ra e 222Rn entrassem em equilíbrio secular. As medidas foram realizadas no Laboratório de Física Nuclear Aplicada da Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná. Paralelamente, detectores de estado sólido CR-39 foram instalados nos ambientes de uma marmoraria da região de Curitiba-Paraná para a avaliação das concentrações de 222Rn nos postos de trabalho. Os detectores CR-39 ficaram expostos por um período aproximado de 90 dias e, posteriormente, foram submetidos à revelação química e leitura manual em microscópio óptico. Os valores médios das concentrações de 222Rn das amostras de granito variaram de 32 Bq/m3 a 1,7 KBq/m3. Os resultados obtidos ressaltam a importância dessa pesquisa na contribuição de dados para o fomento de uma legislação nacional que estabeleça valores limites de radioatividade para a comercialização e utilização de rochas graníticas, afim de atender, também, as normas internacionais que limitam o valor de radioatividade aceitável de produtos como mármores e granitos para a importação, exportação e trânsito. / Naturally occurring radionuclides such as radon (222Rn), its decay products and other elements from the radioactive series of uranium (238U and 235U) and thorium (232Th) are an important source of human exposure to natural radioactivity. Worldwide the evaluation of radiobiological effects and risks to health from exposure of the population to natural radionuclides is a growing concern. Elements such as radon (222Rn), the thoron (220Rn), radio (226Ra), thorium (232Th) and potassium (40K) can be found in materials commonly used in construction of houses and buildings. Thus, the radioactivity study from marbles and granites is important, given that under certain conditions these materials radioactivity levels can be hazardous requiring the implementation of mitigation measures for their use. This study presents a technical protocol for the control of human exposure to natural radioactivity from granitic rocks in marble factories. The protocol was based on measurements of the 222Rn and 220Rn concentration in Brazilian granite rocks commonly nationally and exported. The 222Rn and 220Rn measurements were done using the AlphaGUARD (Saphymo GmbH) and RAD7 (Durridge Company) equipment’s, respectively. For measures the samples of granite were sealed in glass jars for 40 days in order that the 226Ra and 222Rn radionuclides entered in secular equilibrium. The measurements were performed on Applied Nuclear Physics Laboratory at the Federal Technological University of Paraná. At the same time, solid-state nuclear track detectors CR-39 were installed in a marble factory environments located in Curitiba - Paraná for the evaluation of 222Rn concentrations in workplaces. The CR-39 detectors were exposed for about 90 days and submitted to etching process. The alpha particle tracks were observed using an optical microscope. The average 222Rn concentrations of granite samples ranged from 32 Bq/m3 to 1,7 KBq/m3. The results obtained underscore the importance of this research in the data contribution to the development of national legislation that establishes limits of radioactivity values for marketing and use of granitic rocks. The results also contribute to the Brazilian granite meets the international standards that limit the acceptable radioactivity value for the import, export and transit the products such as marble and granite.

CAPES / O cimento Portland é bastante empregado na construção civil e apresenta em sua composição o gesso natural. Para minimizar custos é possível substituir parte do gesso desta composição pelo fosfogesso. O fosfogesso é um resíduo gerado a partir da produção dos fertilizantes e é constituído, essencialmente, por cálcio dihidratado e algumas impurezas, como fluoretos, metais em geral e radionuclídeos. Atualmente, toneladas de fosfogesso são armazenadas à céu aberto próximo das indústrias de fertilizantes, causando a contaminação do meio ambiente. O elemento 226Ra, presente nesses materiais, ao passar pela série de decaimento radioativo, transforma-se em gás 222Rn. Esse gás, ao ser inalado pode decair dentro dos pulmões e neste caso, os seus produtos depositam-se nas paredes pulmonares ocasionando exposição à radiação, podendo ser um potencial causador de câncer pulmonar. Dessa forma, o objetivo desta pesquisa foi medir os níveis de concentração de 222Rn em corpos de prova de argamassa de cimento Portland, de gesso e de fosfogesso provenientes do Estado do Paraná, além de caracterizar o material e estimar a concentração de radônio em um ambiente de convívio humano hipotético construído com paredes destes materiais. Para as medidas de atividade do 222Rn foi utilizado o monitor AlphaGUARD (Saphymo GmbH). A análise qualitativa e quantitativa foi realizada por meio da espectrometria gama e da EDXRF com tubos de alvos de Au e Ag (AMPTEK), e com alvo de Mo (ARTAX) e os ensaios mecânicos com equipamento de raios X (Gilardoni) e com a prensa mecânica (EMIC). Os valores médios da atividade do radônio no ar obtidos pelo estudo dos materiais armazenados no recipiente foram de 854 ± 23 Bq/m3, 60,0 ± 7,2 Bq/m3 e 52,9 ± 5,4 Bq/m3 para argamassas de cimento Portland, de gesso e de fosfogesso, respectivamente. Estes resultados extrapolados para o ambiente hipotético de 36 m3 com paredes revestidas com os materiais foram de 3366 ± 91 Bq/m3, 237 ± 28 Bq/m3 e 208 ± 21 Bq/m3 para argamassas de cimento Portland, gesso e fosfogesso. Considerando o limite de 300 Bq/m3 estabelecido pela ICRP, observa-se que, para o revestimento de cimento Portland a exposição não é segura e requer alguns procedimentos de mitigação específicos. A partir da espectrometria gama foi calculado o valor do rádio equivalente (Raeq) para as argamassas de cimento Portland, gesso e fosfogesso que resultou em 78,2 ± 0,9 Bq/kg; 58,2 ± 0,9 Bq/kg e 68,2 ± 0,9 Bq/kg, respectivamente. Os valores do Raeq das amostras encontram-se inferiores ao limite máximo de 370 Bq/kg. Em relação a análise qualitativa e quantitativa das amostras por EDXRF, os resultados permitiram identificar e quantificar os elementos que compõe as amostras como o Ca, S, Fe, entre outros. / Portland cement being very common construction material has in its composition the natural gypsum. To decrease the costs of manufacturing, the cement industry is substituting the gypsum in its composition by small quantities of phosphogypsum, which is the residue generated by the production of fertilizers and consists essentially of calcium dihydrate and some impurities, such as fluoride, metals in general, and radionuclides. Currently, tons of phosphogypsum are stored in the open air near the fertilizer industries, causing contamination of the environment. The 226 Ra present in these materials, when undergoes radioactive decay, produces the 222Rn gas. This radioactive gas, when inhaled together with its decay products deposited in the lungs, produces the exposure to radiation and can be a potential cause of lung cancer. Thus, the objective of this study was to measure the concentration levels of 222Rn from cylindrical samples of Portland cement, gypsum and phosphogypsum mortar from the state of Paraná, as well as characterizer the material and estimate the radon concentration in an environment of hypothetical dwelling with walls covered by such materials. Experimental setup of 222Rn activity measurements was based on AlphaGUARD detector (Saphymo GmbH). The qualitative and quantitative analysis was performed by gamma spectrometry and EDXRF with Au and Ag targets tubes (AMPTEK), and Mo target (ARTAX) and mechanical testing with x- ray equipment (Gilardoni) and the mechanical press (EMIC). Obtained average values of radon activity from studied materials in the air of containers were of 854 ± 23 Bq/m3, 60,0 ± 7,2 Bq/m3 e 52,9 ± 5,4 Bq/m3 for Portland cement, gypsum and phosphogypsum mortar, respectively. These results extrapolated into the volume of hypothetical dwelling of 36 m3 with the walls covered by such materials were of 3366 ± 91 Bq/m3, 237 ± 28 Bq/m3 e 208 ± 21 Bq/m3for Portland cement, gypsum and phosphogypsum mortar, respectively. Considering the limit of 300 Bq/m3 established by the ICRP, it could be concluded that the use of Portland cement plaster in dwellings is not secure and requires some specific mitigation procedure. Using the results of gamma spectrometry there were calculated the values of radium equivalent activity concentrations (Raeq) for Portland cement, gypsum and phosphogypsum mortar, which were obtained equal to 78,2 ± 0,9 Bq/kg; 58,2 ± 0,9 Bq/kg e 68,2 ± 0,9 Bq/kg, respectively. All values of radium equivalent activity concentrations for studied samples are below the maximum level of 370 Bq/kg. The qualitative and quantitative analysis of EDXRF spectra obtained with studied mortar samples allowed to evaluate quantitate and the elements that constitute the material such as Ca, S, Fe, and others.

CAPES / O cimento Portland é bastante empregado na construção civil e apresenta em sua composição o gesso natural. Para minimizar custos é possível substituir parte do gesso desta composição pelo fosfogesso. O fosfogesso é um resíduo gerado a partir da produção dos fertilizantes e é constituído, essencialmente, por cálcio dihidratado e algumas impurezas, como fluoretos, metais em geral e radionuclídeos. Atualmente, toneladas de fosfogesso são armazenadas à céu aberto próximo das indústrias de fertilizantes, causando a contaminação do meio ambiente. O elemento 226Ra, presente nesses materiais, ao passar pela série de decaimento radioativo, transforma-se em gás 222Rn. Esse gás, ao ser inalado pode decair dentro dos pulmões e neste caso, os seus produtos depositam-se nas paredes pulmonares ocasionando exposição à radiação, podendo ser um potencial causador de câncer pulmonar. Dessa forma, o objetivo desta pesquisa foi medir os níveis de concentração de 222Rn em corpos de prova de argamassa de cimento Portland, de gesso e de fosfogesso provenientes do Estado do Paraná, além de caracterizar o material e estimar a concentração de radônio em um ambiente de convívio humano hipotético construído com paredes destes materiais. Para as medidas de atividade do 222Rn foi utilizado o monitor AlphaGUARD (Saphymo GmbH). A análise qualitativa e quantitativa foi realizada por meio da espectrometria gama e da EDXRF com tubos de alvos de Au e Ag (AMPTEK), e com alvo de Mo (ARTAX) e os ensaios mecânicos com equipamento de raios X (Gilardoni) e com a prensa mecânica (EMIC). Os valores médios da atividade do radônio no ar obtidos pelo estudo dos materiais armazenados no recipiente foram de 854 ± 23 Bq/m3, 60,0 ± 7,2 Bq/m3 e 52,9 ± 5,4 Bq/m3 para argamassas de cimento Portland, de gesso e de fosfogesso, respectivamente. Estes resultados extrapolados para o ambiente hipotético de 36 m3 com paredes revestidas com os materiais foram de 3366 ± 91 Bq/m3, 237 ± 28 Bq/m3 e 208 ± 21 Bq/m3 para argamassas de cimento Portland, gesso e fosfogesso. Considerando o limite de 300 Bq/m3 estabelecido pela ICRP, observa-se que, para o revestimento de cimento Portland a exposição não é segura e requer alguns procedimentos de mitigação específicos. A partir da espectrometria gama foi calculado o valor do rádio equivalente (Raeq) para as argamassas de cimento Portland, gesso e fosfogesso que resultou em 78,2 ± 0,9 Bq/kg; 58,2 ± 0,9 Bq/kg e 68,2 ± 0,9 Bq/kg, respectivamente. Os valores do Raeq das amostras encontram-se inferiores ao limite máximo de 370 Bq/kg. Em relação a análise qualitativa e quantitativa das amostras por EDXRF, os resultados permitiram identificar e quantificar os elementos que compõe as amostras como o Ca, S, Fe, entre outros. / Portland cement being very common construction material has in its composition the natural gypsum. To decrease the costs of manufacturing, the cement industry is substituting the gypsum in its composition by small quantities of phosphogypsum, which is the residue generated by the production of fertilizers and consists essentially of calcium dihydrate and some impurities, such as fluoride, metals in general, and radionuclides. Currently, tons of phosphogypsum are stored in the open air near the fertilizer industries, causing contamination of the environment. The 226 Ra present in these materials, when undergoes radioactive decay, produces the 222Rn gas. This radioactive gas, when inhaled together with its decay products deposited in the lungs, produces the exposure to radiation and can be a potential cause of lung cancer. Thus, the objective of this study was to measure the concentration levels of 222Rn from cylindrical samples of Portland cement, gypsum and phosphogypsum mortar from the state of Paraná, as well as characterizer the material and estimate the radon concentration in an environment of hypothetical dwelling with walls covered by such materials. Experimental setup of 222Rn activity measurements was based on AlphaGUARD detector (Saphymo GmbH). The qualitative and quantitative analysis was performed by gamma spectrometry and EDXRF with Au and Ag targets tubes (AMPTEK), and Mo target (ARTAX) and mechanical testing with x- ray equipment (Gilardoni) and the mechanical press (EMIC). Obtained average values of radon activity from studied materials in the air of containers were of 854 ± 23 Bq/m3, 60,0 ± 7,2 Bq/m3 e 52,9 ± 5,4 Bq/m3 for Portland cement, gypsum and phosphogypsum mortar, respectively. These results extrapolated into the volume of hypothetical dwelling of 36 m3 with the walls covered by such materials were of 3366 ± 91 Bq/m3, 237 ± 28 Bq/m3 e 208 ± 21 Bq/m3for Portland cement, gypsum and phosphogypsum mortar, respectively. Considering the limit of 300 Bq/m3 established by the ICRP, it could be concluded that the use of Portland cement plaster in dwellings is not secure and requires some specific mitigation procedure. Using the results of gamma spectrometry there were calculated the values of radium equivalent activity concentrations (Raeq) for Portland cement, gypsum and phosphogypsum mortar, which were obtained equal to 78,2 ± 0,9 Bq/kg; 58,2 ± 0,9 Bq/kg e 68,2 ± 0,9 Bq/kg, respectively. All values of radium equivalent activity concentrations for studied samples are below the maximum level of 370 Bq/kg. The qualitative and quantitative analysis of EDXRF spectra obtained with studied mortar samples allowed to evaluate quantitate and the elements that constitute the material such as Ca, S, Fe, and others.