Measurement of Radon (222Rn) Concentrations in the Basaltic Rocks of Yarmouk River, Jordan

Abstract

This article was conducted to measure radon concentration levels in the Yarmouk River Basalt (YRB), North-Jordan. The YRB is of Quaternary in age and occurred as a successive sheet with a total thickness of 122 meters. The Yarmouk River Basalt is classified into four major phases. Namely, Yarmouk Sheet basalt, Yarmouk blocky basalt, Yarmouk massive basalt, and Yarmouk exfoliated. Furthermore, each major phase is subdivided into several flows. Sixteen samples are measured by using Nuclear Track Detector (Columbia Resin CR-39) in the laboratory. The results show that the concentration of radon is gradually decreased from the lower basalt first phase towards the upper fourth phase in considerable amounts. The values range from 12413.12 to 4137.71 Bq/m3, with an average value of 6635.74 Bq/m3. The results of this investigation indicate that the uranium isotopes element decay is the origin of radon emitted from the interstitial glass in the basalt rocks, rather than 222Rn emission along with fractures or major faults.

Natural Radionuclides Concentrations and Associated Radiation Hazard of Some Building Rocks Used in Taiz City, Yemen

“…In contrast, compared to other investigated rocks, the concentration of 226 Ra in Basalt rocks was relatively low. This finding is supported by some previous studies such as Novikov, et al (2021) and Al-Malabeh & Al-Bataina (2021) studies [19,20]. This result may be attributed to the relatively lower levels of uranium and thorium present in Basalt rocks, which are the key sources of 226 R. The average values of 226 Ra concentration for building rocks samples were higher than the average international radioactivity levels of 226 Ra (50 Bq/kg) [11,21].…”