Alene Assefa Nigus
Department of Physics, CNCS, Mekelle University, Mek'ele, Tigray, Ethiopia.
F1000Res. 2025 Mar 13;14:289. doi: 10.12688/f1000research.160449.1. eCollection 2025.
Radon gas, a decay product of radium, is a significant environmental health risk due to its radioactive properties. Understanding the radium content and radon exhalation rates in soil is crucial for evaluating potential radiological hazards and ensuring environmental safety.
Soil samples were collected from twelve different locations in Wukro, Tigray, representing various soil types. The sealed can technique, using LR-115 Type-II plastic track detectors, was employed to measure radium concentrations and radon exhalation rates over a four-month exposure period. Radon mass exhalation rates, surface exhalation rates, and radium concentrations were calculated, and the Alpha Index was also determined to assess radiological risk.
The radon mass exhalation rates ranged from 0.18 × 10 Bq.kg .d to 0.82 × 10 Bq.kg .d , with a mean of 0.48 × 10 Bq.kg .d . Surface exhalation rates varied from 0.38 × 10 Bq.m .d to 1.72 × 10 Bq.m .d , averaging 1.02 × 10 Bq.m .d . Radium concentrations ranged from 0.33 to 1.47 Bq.kg , with an average of 0.87 Bq.kg . A significant positive correlation between radium content and radon exhalation rates was observed, indicating a direct relationship between these variables. Clay soils exhibited the highest radium concentrations, while sandy soils had the lowest. All measured values were below the safety limit of 370 Bq.kg recommended by OECD and UNSCEAR, suggesting no significant radiological risk in the study area.
This study highlights the importance of monitoring natural radiation levels for environmental safety. The findings provide a baseline for future studies and emphasize the need for continuous assessment to detect any long-term changes in soil radioactivity.
氡气是镭的衰变产物，因其放射性特性而对环境健康构成重大风险。了解土壤中的镭含量和氡析出率对于评估潜在的放射性危害和确保环境安全至关重要。
从提格雷州武克罗的十二个不同地点采集土壤样本，这些地点代表了各种土壤类型。采用密封罐技术，使用LR - 115 II型塑料径迹探测器，在四个月的暴露期内测量镭浓度和氡析出率。计算了氡质量析出率、表面析出率和镭浓度，并确定了阿尔法指数以评估放射性风险。
氡质量析出率范围为0.18×10 贝克勒尔·千克⁻¹·天⁻¹至0.82×10 贝克勒尔·千克⁻¹·天⁻¹，平均值为0.48×10 贝克勒尔·千克⁻¹·天⁻¹。表面析出率从0.38×10 贝克勒尔·米⁻²·天⁻¹变化到1.72×10 贝克勒尔·米⁻²·天⁻¹，平均为1.02×10 贝克勒尔·米⁻²·天⁻¹。镭浓度范围为0.33至1.47贝克勒尔·千克，平均为0.87贝克勒尔·千克。观察到镭含量与氡析出率之间存在显著正相关，表明这些变量之间存在直接关系。粘质土壤的镭浓度最高，而砂质土壤的镭浓度最低。所有测量值均低于经合组织和联合国原子辐射效应科学委员会推荐的370贝克勒尔·千克的安全限值，表明研究区域不存在重大放射性风险。
本研究强调了监测自然辐射水平对环境安全的重要性。研究结果为未来研究提供了基线，并强调需要持续评估以检测土壤放射性的任何长期变化。
