Radon and its decay product activities in the magmatic area and the adjacent volcano-sedimentary Intrasudetic Basin

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A. T. Solecki
R. Puchala
D. Tchorz

Abstract

In the magmatic area of Sudetes covering the Karkonosze granite and adjacent volcano-sedimentary Intrasudetic
Basin a study of atmospheric radon activity was performed by means of SSNTD Kodak LR-115. The study
was completed by gamma spectrometric survey of eU and eTh determined by gamma activity of radon decay
products 214Bi and 208Tl respectively. In the case of the western part of the Karkonosze granite area the radon decay
products activity in the granitic basement was found to be as high as 343 Bq/kg for 214Bi and 496 Bq/kg for
208Tl respectively. Atmospheric radon content measured by means of Kodak LR115 track detector at the height
of 1.5 m was found as high as 70 Bq/m3 in the regions, where no mining activities took place. However in the
eastern part of the granitic massif in the proximity of abandoned uranium mine atmospheric radon content was
found to be 6000 Bq/m3. In the case of sedimentary basin where sedimentary sequence of Carboniferous rocks
has been penetrated by younger gases and fluids of volcanic origin uranium mineralization developed. The region
known from its CO2 outburst during coal mining activity is characterized by good ventilation of the uranium
enriched geological basement resulting in increased atmospheric radon activity being in average 72 Bq/m3.
In the vicinity of coal mine tailing an increase up to 125 Bq/m3 can be observed. Seasonal variations of atmospheric
radon content are influenced in agricultural areas by cyclic cultivation works (plough) on soils of increased
uranium content and in the case of post-industrial brownfields varying rates of radon exhalation from
tailings due to different meteorological conditions.

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How to Cite
Solecki, A. T., Puchala, R. and Tchorz, D. (2007) “Radon and its decay product activities in the magmatic area and the adjacent volcano-sedimentary Intrasudetic Basin”, Annals of Geophysics, 50(4). doi: 10.4401/ag-3071.
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