Application of the tracer gas technology to investigate convective radon transport processes between mine workings and houses
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W. Löbner
Abstract
In areas featuring air-filled mine workings the convective radon transport through the disturbed bedrock is a frequent cause of high radon concentrations in dwellings. The vertical transport distance of the radon propagation can be more than one hundred meters. The application of tracer gases that can be detected by gas chromatography at extreme low concentrations allows the clear detection of mine-originated radon in dwellings and provides knowledge on the complex processes of radon transport. The successful application of the method is demonstrated on the basis of investigations of the impact of former uranium mine sites on the radon situation in dwellings.
Kurzfassung
In Gebieten mit bergbaulichen Hinterlassenschaften, insbesondere mit offenen Grubenhohlräumen, ist der konvektive Radontransport durch das gestörte Gebirge eine häufige Ursache für hohe Radonkonzentrationen in Häusern. Vertikale Transportentfernungen für das Radon können dabei bis in den Bereich oberhalb einhundert Meter reichen. Der Einsatz von Tracergasen, die in geringsten Konzentrationen in der Umwelt mittels Gaschromatographie nachgewiesen werden können, ermöglichte die zweifelsfreie Identifikation von Häusern mit bergbaulicher Beeinflussung der Radonsituation sowie die nähere Aufklärung des komplexen Systemverhaltens. Die erfolgreiche Verfahrensanwendung wird am Beispiel komplexer Untersuchungen des Einflusses offener Grubenhohlräume auf die Radonsituation in Häusern an ehemaligen Uranerzbergbaustandorten demonstriert.
References
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© 2012, Carl Hanser Verlag, München
Articles in the same Issue
- Contents/Inhalt
- Contents
- Summaries/Kurzfassungen
- Summaries/Kurzfassungen
- Editorial
- Naturally occurring and artificially produced radionuclides in our environment
- Technical Contributions/Fachbeiträge
- The world we really live in – communication on radiation
- Appraisal of long-term radiation trends in the environs of nuclear power plants – Examples from Switzerland
- Determination of the nuclide vector for decommissioning projects at PSI (Paul Scherrer Institute, Switzerland)
- Radiation shielding is not a solution – radiation protection of air crews
- The European map of indoor radon concentrations: status and questions of quality assurance
- Radon at workplaces in Bavaria and experiences with remediation
- Application of the tracer gas technology to investigate convective radon transport processes between mine workings and houses
- Dose contributions due to radiation scattered by air (skyshine) in the case of x-ray machines
- Measurement of radionuclides within the Global Atmosphere Watch Programme of WMO
- The application of equilibrium models to incidence situations using the example of the exposure pathway human milk
- 4th COCOSYS User's Workshop at GRS
Articles in the same Issue
- Contents/Inhalt
- Contents
- Summaries/Kurzfassungen
- Summaries/Kurzfassungen
- Editorial
- Naturally occurring and artificially produced radionuclides in our environment
- Technical Contributions/Fachbeiträge
- The world we really live in – communication on radiation
- Appraisal of long-term radiation trends in the environs of nuclear power plants – Examples from Switzerland
- Determination of the nuclide vector for decommissioning projects at PSI (Paul Scherrer Institute, Switzerland)
- Radiation shielding is not a solution – radiation protection of air crews
- The European map of indoor radon concentrations: status and questions of quality assurance
- Radon at workplaces in Bavaria and experiences with remediation
- Application of the tracer gas technology to investigate convective radon transport processes between mine workings and houses
- Dose contributions due to radiation scattered by air (skyshine) in the case of x-ray machines
- Measurement of radionuclides within the Global Atmosphere Watch Programme of WMO
- The application of equilibrium models to incidence situations using the example of the exposure pathway human milk
- 4th COCOSYS User's Workshop at GRS
