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Title: (The determination of sup 222 Rn flux from soils based on sup 210 Pb and sup 226 Ra disequilibrium)

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5811774· OSTI ID:5811774

The emanating fraction of radon in soils from the southern part of the United States is about 40% greater than in those from the northern part. The mean {sup 226}Ra activity in the southern soils is also slightly higher and as a consequence the {sup 222}Rn flux derived from the top 50 cm. is greater in the southern samples. We tentatively attribute these observations to the greater degree of weathering associated with the pre-glacial age of the parent material of many of the southern soils. The weathering has concentrated {sup 226}Ra near grain surfaces and results in an increased emanating power for {sup 222}Rn. The estimated correction in {sup 210}Pb analyses described above results in a small decrease in our estimate of the mean loss rate of {sup 222}Rn from the upper 50 cm of soils.

Research Organization:
Yale Univ., New Haven, CT (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
FG02-87ER60576
OSTI ID:
5811774
Report Number(s):
DOE/ER/60576-4; ON: DE92006709
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English