The European map of the geogenic radon potential

Abstract

As part of its projected European Atlas of Natural Radiation (EANR), the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission, in cooperation with research institutions and radioprotection authorities all over Europe, is currently developing a map of the geogenic radon potential. In an accompanying report the state of knowledge, mapping approaches and problems are discussed. We explain the rationale and the legal situation in Europe and present an overview on the main problems stemming from the heterogeneity of input datasets between participating countries and from the definition of input variables and their differently implemented sampling procedures or protocols. Further topics are definition of the target variable which quantifies the geogenic radon potential and its estimation from heterogeneous input and proxy variables, as well as problems specific to mapping, such as choice of mapping support and resolution. The geogenic map was preceded by a European map of indoor radon concentrations, which is still growing as ever more countries decide to participate, and which served as training for harmonisation problems occurring in the European data realm. We shall also briefly discuss its main results and implications for the geogenic map.

Estimation and mapping of uranium content of geological units in France

“…Radon levels in the environment can show important spatial variations on a regional or local scale. It has been recognized that this lateral variability is primarily attributed to geological parameters which control the radon source-term and/ or the radon migration in the ground (Appleton et al, 2015;Bossew, 2015;Drolet et al, 2013Drolet et al, , 2014García-Talavera et al, 2013;Gruber et al, 2013;Hahna et al, 2015;Ielsch et al, 2001Ielsch et al, , 2002Ielsch et al, , 2010Kropat et al, 2014;Scheib et al, 2013;Smethurst et al, 2008;Tondeur et al, 2015;Zhukovsky et al, 2012). Therefore, the knowledge of uranium and/or radium contents in rocks is of primary importance to determine the radon source term.…”

Innovative modeling methodology for mapping of radon potential based on local relationships between indoor radon measurements and environmental geology factors

“…This work aimed to defined a map of the geogenic radon potential (PRG), which is directly related to the risk of radon [18,19]. We studied the relationship between the concentration of indoor radon (dependent variable) and the geophysical/environmental features of region (independent variables), using a local regression in order to highlight the importance of local condition to the determination of the gas concentration .…”

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

“…It discovers territories, where definite indoor radon estimations are fundamental. Regardless of anthropogenic components and transiently steady over a geographical timescale [14] (see figure 3) Figure 3. From geogenic radon to indoor radon concentration-influences and definitions [14].…”