Radon(Rn)is a naturally occurring radioactive inert gas in nature,and^(222)Rn has been routinely used as a powerful tracer in various aquatic environmental research on timescales of hours to days,such as submarine gro...Radon(Rn)is a naturally occurring radioactive inert gas in nature,and^(222)Rn has been routinely used as a powerful tracer in various aquatic environmental research on timescales of hours to days,such as submarine groundwater discharge.Here we developed a new approach to measure^(222)Rn in discrete water samples with a wide range of^(222)Rn concentrations using a Pulsed Ionization Chamber(PIC)Radon Detector.The sensitivity of the new PIC system is evaluated at 6.06 counts per minute for 1 Bq/L when a 500 mL water sample volume is used.A robust logarithmic correlation between sample volumes,ranging from 250 mL to 5000 mL,and system sensitivity obtained in this study strongly suggests that this approach is suitable for measuring radon concentration levels in various natural waters.Compared to the currently available methods for measuring radon in grab samples,the PIC system is cheaper,easier to operate and does not require extra accessories(e.g.,drying tubes etc.)to maintain stable measurements throughout the counting procedure.展开更多
Objective:To investigate the current levels of indoor radon activity in the geologically complex Bakony Region of Hungary,which has been historically affected by industrial activities,and to identify areas that may re...Objective:To investigate the current levels of indoor radon activity in the geologically complex Bakony Region of Hungary,which has been historically affected by industrial activities,and to identify areas that may require further monitoring and intervention.Methods:Experiments were carried out to measure quarterly indoor radon activity concentrations in ground-floor dwellings for a year using CR-39-type nuclear track detectors at 30 locations in 9 settlements to provide current information on the Bakony Region and identify areas requiring further attention.Results:Since the annual average indoor radon activity concentration in the Bakony Region was 86 Bq/m^(3) and the maximum 274 Bq/m^(3),that is,less than the 300 Bq/m^(3) national and EU reference levels,it is considered safe.Two locations were equal to or exceeded the reference level during part of the year.While most of the Region exhibited high radon concentrations in the autumn and winter,two settlements presented inverse seasonal variations.Conclusion:Although the autumn and winter values yielded a strong correlation with the annual mean and each other,this was not the case regarding the summer and spring values.The annual mean effective dose for the Region from the inhalation of radon and its progenies was estimated to be 2.2 mSv/year.展开更多
基金The National Natural Science Foundation of China under contract Nos 42130410,41876075 and U1906210the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities under contract No.201962003.
文摘Radon(Rn)is a naturally occurring radioactive inert gas in nature,and^(222)Rn has been routinely used as a powerful tracer in various aquatic environmental research on timescales of hours to days,such as submarine groundwater discharge.Here we developed a new approach to measure^(222)Rn in discrete water samples with a wide range of^(222)Rn concentrations using a Pulsed Ionization Chamber(PIC)Radon Detector.The sensitivity of the new PIC system is evaluated at 6.06 counts per minute for 1 Bq/L when a 500 mL water sample volume is used.A robust logarithmic correlation between sample volumes,ranging from 250 mL to 5000 mL,and system sensitivity obtained in this study strongly suggests that this approach is suitable for measuring radon concentration levels in various natural waters.Compared to the currently available methods for measuring radon in grab samples,the PIC system is cheaper,easier to operate and does not require extra accessories(e.g.,drying tubes etc.)to maintain stable measurements throughout the counting procedure.
基金implemented by the TKP2021-NVA-10 project with the support provided by the Ministry of Culture and Innovation of Hungary from the National Research,Development and Innovation Fund,financed under the 2021 Thematic Excellence Programme funding scheme.
文摘Objective:To investigate the current levels of indoor radon activity in the geologically complex Bakony Region of Hungary,which has been historically affected by industrial activities,and to identify areas that may require further monitoring and intervention.Methods:Experiments were carried out to measure quarterly indoor radon activity concentrations in ground-floor dwellings for a year using CR-39-type nuclear track detectors at 30 locations in 9 settlements to provide current information on the Bakony Region and identify areas requiring further attention.Results:Since the annual average indoor radon activity concentration in the Bakony Region was 86 Bq/m^(3) and the maximum 274 Bq/m^(3),that is,less than the 300 Bq/m^(3) national and EU reference levels,it is considered safe.Two locations were equal to or exceeded the reference level during part of the year.While most of the Region exhibited high radon concentrations in the autumn and winter,two settlements presented inverse seasonal variations.Conclusion:Although the autumn and winter values yielded a strong correlation with the annual mean and each other,this was not the case regarding the summer and spring values.The annual mean effective dose for the Region from the inhalation of radon and its progenies was estimated to be 2.2 mSv/year.
