Study of the distribution of radon in the atmosphere to a height of 457 meters. Final report
An experimental program has been conducted to provide a measurement of the distribution of radon in the atmosphere from ground level to a height of 457 meters above the ground. An extensive set of measurements were obtained using alpha-particle detectors of the Track Etch/sup TM/ type supplied by the Terradex Corporation. These detectors were exposed for periods of approximately three months on four television towers and were read by Terradex. Radon measurements were also made as a function of ground depth. A statistical F-test analysis of the readings from the exposed Track Etch/sup TM/ detectors on the towers leads to the conclusion that the radon concentration in air at each of the tower sites does not vary with height above ground for heights to 457 meters. In order to obtain additional measured data on the altitude variation of the radon concentration in the air, five NaI detectors were incrementally placed in positions ranging from ground level to 457-meters altitude on the Oklahoma City tower. The NaI measurements were evaluated through comparison with calculated predictions of the expected count rate as a function of altitude using ANISN, a discrete-ordinates-transport code. The source distributions in the air and ground and the NaI counter efficiency versus energy were determined analytically. Considering the large uncertainties in the Track Etch/sup TM/ detector data from the 4 television towers and the results of the analysis of the NaI detector measurements on the Oklahoma City tower, it is concluded that the radon concentration in air does not vary significantly with height above ground for heights up to 457 m.
- Research Organization:
- Radiation Research Associates, Inc., Fort Worth, TX (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC13-76GJ01664
- OSTI ID:
- 6316214
- Report Number(s):
- GJBX-280-81; RRA-T8002; ON: DE81030293; TRN: 81-016176
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Interim results of the prompt alpha-track radon detector study. [Remedial Action Program]
Evaluation of track-etch detectors
Related Subjects
11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
NEW MEXICO
NATURAL RADIOACTIVITY
NORTH DAKOTA
OKLAHOMA
RADON
RADIATION MONITORING
SURFACE AIR
TEXAS
ALPHA DETECTION
DISTRIBUTION
NAI DETECTORS
AIR
CHARGED PARTICLE DETECTION
DETECTION
ELEMENTS
FLUIDS
GASES
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MONITORING
NONMETALS
NORTH AMERICA
RADIATION DETECTION
RADIATION DETECTORS
RADIOACTIVITY
RARE GASES
ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION
SCINTILLATION COUNTERS
SOLID SCINTILLATION DETECTORS
SOUTHWEST REGION
USA
500300* - Environment
Atmospheric- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)
050200 - Nuclear Fuels- Exploration- (-1987)