Determining the effects of waste coal ash on landfill radon levels. Master`s thesis
Coal contains trace amounts of the primary radionuclides K-40, and elements of the 4n (Th-232), 4n+2 (U-238), and 4n+3 (U-235) series, including Rn-220 and Rn-222. The purpose of this research was to determine the effects of landfilled coal ash on one specific aspect of technologically enhanced natural radiation, radon levels. Soil samples were collected from the ash landfill at Wright Patterson AFB and from several background locations, analyzed using gamma spectroscopy, and the Ra-226 activities compared. The landfill Ra-226 activity (4.78 + or - 1.58 pCi/g) was 2.95 times higher than background (1.62 + or - 0.04 pCi/g). Estimated outdoor and indoor radon emanation at the landfill are predicted to be enhanced by the same factor compared to background. Additionally, the indoor radon concentration calculated in a hypothetical structure built on the landfill (11.48 pCi/l) was above the Environmental Protection Agency`s action level of 4.0 pCi/l.
- Research Organization:
- Air Force Inst. of Tech., Wright-Patterson AFB, OH (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 273698
- Report Number(s):
- AD-A--306367/4/XAB
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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