Analysis of temperature influences on the amplitude-frequency characteristics of Rn gas concentration

J Environ Radioact. 2006;86(2):251-70. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2005.09.004. Epub 2005 Nov 7.

Abstract

The ventilation mechanism of Rn gas in underground environments is considered. Ventilation plays an important role in influencing the variability (harmonics) of Rn gas in the porous space below the earth's surface. We propose a new physical-environmental model of relating Rn gas concentrations to air temperature variations at the earth's surface. Applicability of this model was tested after searching for Rn gas indicators of geodynamic processes in two underground tunnels in central and southern Israel. The theoretical estimation of Rn gas concentrations shows a good agreement with the observed values. We demonstrate the possibility of Rn gas anomalies being caused by atmospheric temperature variations and the necessity to take these effects into account when investigating geodynamic processes.

MeSH terms

  • Atmosphere
  • Gases
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Radon / chemistry*
  • Temperature*

Substances

  • Gases
  • Radon