Radon-222 related influence on ambient gamma dose. (September 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Melintescu, A.; Chambers, S.D.; Crawford, J.; Williams, A.G.; Zorila, B.; Galeriu, D.
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental radioactivity. Volume 189(2018)
• Page Start: 67
• Page End: 78
• Publication Date: 2018-09
• Subjects: Ambient gamma dose -- Radon-222 -- Precipitation -- Models -- Nuclear facilities -- Radiological emergency; Radioactivity -- Periodicals; Radiation, Background -- Periodicals; Radioecology -- Periodicals; Radioactive pollution -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollutants -- Periodicals; Radioactive Pollutants -- Periodicals; Radioactivity -- Periodicals; Radioécologie -- Périodiques; Pollution radioactive -- Périodiques; Fond de rayonnement -- Périodiques; 539.752
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2018.03.012
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0265-931X

Abstract

Abstract: Ambient gamma dose, radon, and rainfall have been monitored in southern Bucharest, Romania, from 2010 to 2016. The seasonal cycle of background ambient gamma dose peaked between July and October (100–105 nSv h −1 ), with minimum values in February (75–80 nSv h −1 ), the time of maximum snow cover. Based on 10 m a.g.l. radon concentrations, the ambient gamma dose increased by around 1 nSv h −1 for every 5 Bq m −3 increase in radon. Radon variability attributable to diurnal changes in atmospheric mixing contributed less than 15 nSv h −1 to the overall variability in ambient gamma dose, a factor of 4 more than synoptic timescale changes in air mass fetch. By contrast, precipitation-related enhancements of the ambient gamma dose were 15–80 nSv h −1 . To facilitate routine analysis, and account in part for occasional equipment failure, an automated method for identifying precipitation spikes in the ambient gamma dose was developed. Lastly, a simple model for predicting rainfall-related enhancement of the ambient gamma dose is tested against rainfall observations from events of contrasting duration and intensity. Results are also compared with those from previously published models of simple and complex formulation. Generally, the model performed very well. When simulations underestimated observations the absolute difference was typically less than the natural variability in ambient gamma dose arising from atmospheric mixing influences. Consequently, combined use of the automated event detection method and the simple model of this study could enable the ambient gamma dose "attention limit" (which indicates a potential radiological emergency) to be reduced from 200 to 400% above background to 25–50%. Highlights: Continuous monitoring of the ambient gamma dose at IFIN-HH nuclear site. Ambient gamma dose depends mostly on the Rn progeny concentration and precipitation. Real-time characterisation of the ambient gamma dose due to Rn. Automated technique and model proposed for precipitation effect on gamma dose. Reducing the "attention limit" for identifying potential radiological emergencies.