Radon, 222Rn, originates from the decay of radium, 226Ra, a member of the uranium (238U) decay series. Although radium occurs in virtually all type of rocks and soil, its concentration varies with the specific site1. Radon concentrations were measured in soil, air and groundwater in the Cumae archaeological site, which is located in the coastal north-western sector of the volcanic district of Phlegraean Fields (Southern Italy). Radon concentrations were found to vary from 1 kBq/m3 to 70 kBq/m3 in soil, 5 Bq/L to 70 Bq/L in groundwater and 20 Bq/m3 to 50 Bq/m3 in air. Measurements made at different depths (up to 60 m) show an increase in radon concentration in groundwaters, from 5.0 Bq/L to 120 Bq/L. A positive correlation was observed between the concentration of primordial radionuclides, as 40K, in the soil and the corresponding concentration in the water samples, indicating the possible leaching of radionuclides from the soil to groundwater.
RADON LEVELS AND GAMMA RADIONUCLIDES IN GROUNDWATER, SOIL AND AIR IN THE ARCHEOLOGICAL SITE OF CUMAE (PHLEGRAEAN FIELDS, SOUTHERN ITALY)
S. Coda;
2022-01-01
Abstract
Radon, 222Rn, originates from the decay of radium, 226Ra, a member of the uranium (238U) decay series. Although radium occurs in virtually all type of rocks and soil, its concentration varies with the specific site1. Radon concentrations were measured in soil, air and groundwater in the Cumae archaeological site, which is located in the coastal north-western sector of the volcanic district of Phlegraean Fields (Southern Italy). Radon concentrations were found to vary from 1 kBq/m3 to 70 kBq/m3 in soil, 5 Bq/L to 70 Bq/L in groundwater and 20 Bq/m3 to 50 Bq/m3 in air. Measurements made at different depths (up to 60 m) show an increase in radon concentration in groundwaters, from 5.0 Bq/L to 120 Bq/L. A positive correlation was observed between the concentration of primordial radionuclides, as 40K, in the soil and the corresponding concentration in the water samples, indicating the possible leaching of radionuclides from the soil to groundwater.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
