Development of a transfer standard for the measurement of low Rn-222 activity concentration in air

Linzmaier, Diana; Röttger, A.

doi:10.1016/j.apradiso.2013.11.076

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…and by climatic conditions (rain, snow, temperature, etc.) (López-Coto et al, 2013;Karstens et al, 2015). Compared to the large spatiotemporal heterogeneity of GHG fluxes, radon emissions from ice-free land are often assumed to be more homogeneous (or at least uncorrelated with changes in the GHG fluxes on local spatial scales and diurnal time scales) and therefore easier to model.…”

Section: Project Plan Of Traceradonmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To start the development of new sources for the calibration needs (Linzmaier and Röttger, 2014), a literature study of currently available radon sources for the calibration of instruments capable of measuring radon activity concentrations below 100 Bq m −3 was performed. Environmental parameter ranges were evaluated and a suitability list for in-field calibration was defined.…”

Section: New Activity Standardsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Radon metrology for use in climate change observation and radiation protection at the environmental level

Röttger

Grossi³

et al. 2022

Adv. Geosci.

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Abstract. Radon (222Rn) gas is the largest source of public exposure to naturally occurring radioactivity and the identification of radon priority areas is required by the Council Directive 2013/59/Euratom. Radon is also used as a tracer to improve atmospheric transport models and to indirectly estimate greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes using the Radon Tracer Method (RTM). This method is based on the correlation between atmospheric concentrations of radon and GHG, together with information on the radon flux data. For radiological data, all European countries have installed networks of automatic gamma dose rate monitoring stations and report the real-time information gathered to the European Radiological Data Exchange Platform (EURDEP). So far, atmospheric radon activity concentrations and radon fluxes are not yet reported in EURDEP, nor routinely measured within the European radiological networks although these observations could help to avoid false positives results. Due to above applications, there is a need of building a metrological chain to ensure high quality radon activity concentrations and radon flux measurements. Both climate and radiation protection research communities underline the need for improved traceability in low-level atmospheric radon measurements (Khanbabaee et al., 2021). The EMPIR project 19ENV01 traceRadon1 is aimed towards providing the necessary measurement infrastructure and transfer standards to fulfil this need. Results of this project are particularly important for improving independent GHG emission estimates that support national reporting under the Paris Agreement on climate change and for the Council Directive 2013/59/Euratom, thus benefitting two large scientific communities. In this paper, early results, such as new activity standard developments and an overview of commercial and research radon monitors are presented and discussed. These results will feed into the traceRadon project with respect to radionuclide metrology in air and its potential for the improvement of the RTM.

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Section: Project Plan Of Traceradonmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: New Activity Standardsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Radon metrology for use in climate change observation and radiation protection at the environmental level

Röttger

Grossi³

et al. 2022

Adv. Geosci.

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“…Considering the small uncertainty assigned to these methods, emanation standards were not able to compete with them for a long time [7]. This recently changed in the case of very low activities [8].…”

Section: Realization Of the Becquerelmentioning

confidence: 99%

New metrology for radon at the environmental level

Röttger

Grossi

et al. 2021

Meas. Sci. Technol.

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Radon gas is the largest source of public exposure to naturally occurring radioactivity. However, radon is also a useful tracer for understanding atmospheric processes, assessing the accuracy of chemical transport models, and enabling integrated emissions estimates of greenhouse gases. A sound metrological system for low level atmospheric radon observations is therefore needed for the benefit of the atmospheric, climate and radiation protection research communities. To this end, here we present a new calibration method for activity concentrations below 20 Bq m−3 and a prototype of the first portable radon monitor capable of achieving uncertainties of 5% (at k = 2) at these concentrations. Compliance checking of policy-driven regulations regarding greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is an essential component of climate change mitigation efforts. Independent, reliable ‘top down’ methods that can be applied consistently for estimating local- to regional-scale GHG emissions (such as the radon tracer method (RTM)) are an essential part of this process. The RTM relies upon observed radon and GHG concentrations and measured or modeled radon fluxes. Reliable radon flux maps could also significantly aid EU member states comply with European COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 2013/59/EURATOM. This article also introduces the traceRadon project, key aims of which include outlining a standardized approach for application of the RTM, creating infrastructure with a traceability chain for radon concentration and radon flux measurements, and developing tools for the validation of radon flux models. Since radon progeny dominate the terrestrial gamma dose rate, the planned traceRadon activities are also expected to improve the sensitivity of radiation protection early warning networks because of the correlation known to exist between radon flux and ambient equivalent dose rates.

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A new primary emanation standard for Radon-222

Röttger

2020

Applied Radiation and Isotopes

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Development of a transfer standard for the measurement of low Rn-222 activity concentration in air

Cited by 5 publications

References 6 publications

Radon metrology for use in climate change observation and radiation protection at the environmental level

Radon metrology for use in climate change observation and radiation protection at the environmental level

New metrology for radon at the environmental level

A new primary emanation standard for Radon-222

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