Radon as a natural tracer for underwater cave exploration

Csondor, Katalin; Erőss, Anita; Horváth, Ákos; Szieberth, Dénes

doi:10.1016/j.jenvrad.2016.10.020

Cited by 11 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 21 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Several studies around the world analyzed the radon concentration in numerous caves, showing a wide range of mean concentrations: 0.3 and 8 kBq/m 3 (Pinza‐Molina et al., 1999 ), 104 and 7,776 Bq/m 3 (Csondor et al., 2017 ), 31.9 kBq/m 3 (Alvarez‐Gallego et al., 2015 ), 1.9–8.4 kBq/m 3 (Alberigi et al., 2011 ), and 9.6–91.8 kBq/m 3 (Wang et al., 2019 ). In addition, depending on the ventilation mode, depth, and cave configuration, different radon concentrations and seasonal patterns were reported.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Radon Dynamics and Effective Dose Estimation in a Touristic Volcanic Cave: La Cueva del Viento, Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain)

et al. 2023

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

La Cueva del Viento is a volcanic lava tube located in Tenerife Island (Canary Islands, Spain). Its touristic section, 180 m long, receives more than 28,200 visitants each year. According to the European and Spanish legislation, a radon monitoring program is required to minimize the radon exposition of workers, tourists, and cavers. In this work, we studied the radon concentration dynamics in the touristic section of the cave for ca. 1 year, using both passive and active radon detectors. Pluviometry and external air temperature played an important role in the seasonal and daily variations of indoor radon concentrations. Daily fluctuations during the dry season were analyzed using time series (Box‐Jenkins methodology) and frequency analysis (Fourier and Wavelet transforms) methods. The experimental radon time‐series was well‐fitted using a seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average model: Seasonal Auto‐Regressive Integrated Moving Average (2,0,1) (2,1,0) 24 , and its value, in a short‐time window (ca. 1 week) was conveniently forecasted. Finally, this work revealed that the annual effective doses received, during the observation period (1 year), by the touristic guides and visitors was ca. 2 mSv/yr and 4 μSv/hr, respectively. We concluded that the touristic exploitation of La Cueva del Viento is safe for both tourists and guides. However, based on our results, La Cueva del Viento had to be classified as a “Monitoring zone” and a regular monitoring program should be implemented.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Radon Dynamics and Effective Dose Estimation in a Touristic Volcanic Cave: La Cueva del Viento, Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain)

et al. 2023

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Radon ( 222 Rn) is a radioactive inert gas having a half-life of 3.82 days, formed by the decay of radium isotope 226 Ra in the 238 U decay series, which is a ubiquitously distributed group of radionuclides within the earth's crust. Radon gas can be released into the air from the surface of rocks, soils and underground water throughout the earth's crust [1,2]. Being an inert gas, it can easily disperse into air as soon as it is released and tends to accumulate especially in enclosed areas such as caves and underground mines with low air exchange [3][4][5].…”

Section: Introduction mentioning

confidence: 99%

Geologic Influence on Radon Concentrations Levels in Cave: A Case Study of Mimpi Cave in the Maros Karst of South Sulawesi, Indonesia

Syarbaini,

Kusdiana,

Wahyudi

et al. 2023

Atom Indo.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Radon gas in the natural environment mainly comes from the release of local bedrock geology and easily accumulate in closed spaces such as basements and caves. This study was performed to investigate the radon concentrations in Mimpi Cave, Bantimurung-Bulusaraung National Park, in the Maros karst area, South Sulawesi, and discussed a possible relationship between the radon concentrations and the local geology. Measurements were carried out using a passive detection technique with CR-39 nuclear tracks detectors by exposing it for a period of three months. The 222Rn levels measured inside the cave ranges from 64.03 Bq m‑3 to 3396.02 Bq m‑3, with an average value of 1075.05 Bq m‑3.The results are comparable with radon concentration in different caves environments reported from other surveys in several countries. Geological background of the Maros Karst areas could sustain the measured radon values, due to the presence of limestone rock with a mineral composition which can lead to higher radon concentrations in Mimpi Cave.

show abstract

“…Eventually, some of the radon dissipated in the pore water migrates to the groundwater and is dissolved in spring or hot spring water. Radon, which is widely distributed in the natural environment, is commonly used to study atmospheric transport processes and groundwater flow systems such as groundwater recharge, flow, and discharge [3,4].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Temporal and Spatial Variation of Radon Concentrations in Environmental Water from Okinawa Island, Southwestern Part of Japan

Nakasone

Ishimine

Shiroma

et al. 2021

IJERPH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In this study, to get a better understanding in characterizing groundwater and ensure its effective management, the radon concentrations in water samples were measured through Ryukyu limestone in southern Okinawa Island, Japan. Water samples were collected from a limestone cave (Gyokusendo cave, dropping water) and two springs (Ukinju and Komesu, spring water), and the radon concentrations were measured by liquid scintillation counters. The radon concentrations in the samples from the Gyokusendo cave, and Ukinju and Komesu springs were 10 ± 1.3 Bq L−1, 3.2 ± 1.0 Bq L−1, and 3.1 ± 1.1 Bq L−1, respectively. The radon concentrations showed a gradually increasing trend from summer to autumn and decreased during winter. The variation of radon concentrations in the dripping water sample from the Gyokusendo cave showed a lagged response to precipitation changes by approximately 2–3 months. The estimated radon concentrations in the dripping water sample were calculated with the measured radon concentrations from the dripping water obtained during the study period. Based on our results, groundwater in the Gyokusendo cave system was estimated to percolate through the Ryukyu limestone in 7–10 days, and the residence time of groundwater in the soil above Gyokusendo cave was estimated to be approximately 50–80 days. This work makes a valuable contribution to the understanding of groundwater processes in limestone aquifers, which is essential for ensuring groundwater sustainability.

show abstract

Radon as a natural tracer for underwater cave exploration

Cited by 11 publications

References 21 publications

Radon Dynamics and Effective Dose Estimation in a Touristic Volcanic Cave: La Cueva del Viento, Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain)

Radon Dynamics and Effective Dose Estimation in a Touristic Volcanic Cave: La Cueva del Viento, Tenerife (Canary Islands, Spain)

Geologic Influence on Radon Concentrations Levels in Cave: A Case Study of Mimpi Cave in the Maros Karst of South Sulawesi, Indonesia

Temporal and Spatial Variation of Radon Concentrations in Environmental Water from Okinawa Island, Southwestern Part of Japan

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About