Lithological and seasonal variations in radon concentrations in Cypriot groundwaters
Date
2010Source
Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear ChemistryVolume
284Issue
3Pages
553-556Google Scholar check
Keyword(s):
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
The paper presents and discusses radon activity concentrations in Cypriot groundwater systems as a function of the background lithology and seasonal/meteorological conditions using an airborne radon monitoring system (ARM) after separation of radon by out-gassing. Radiometric analysis of groundwater samples obtained from non-contaminated systems showed that radon concentration in groundwaters varies strongly (0.1-10 Bq L-1) depending mainly on the hosting geological matrix but also to lesser degree on atmospheric/meteorological conditions. The associated excess annual dose has been estimated to range between 10-6 and 10-4 mSv y -1, which is an insignificant contribution to the radiation exposure of the Cypriot population caused by airborne radon (0.5 ± 0.4 mSv y -1). © 2010 Akadémiai Kiadó.