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Title: Generation and mobility of radon in soil: Annual technical progress report

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6917355

This research program is designed to evaluate the extent and nature of uranium and radium depletion and/or enrichment in soil horizons, as a function of climate and other factors affecting soil character; evaluate the relation of radon emanation coefficient to soil type, soil properties, soil-forming factors and radon levels in soil gas; and evaluate the relation of fragipans, soil mixture and soil permeability to radon concentration and radon flux in soil profiles. During the first year of this project, five soil profiles in central Pennsylvania (3 over limestone/dolomite, 2 over sandstone) were sampled and described and a variety of analysis, including radium and uranium, conducted on the samples, as summarized on table 1. The radon content of soil gas through the profiles was measured at approximately two week intervals throughout the year, so that we now have essentially a year of data. Cores were collected from four soil profiles at a variety of depths and the permeability, diffusion coefficient and emanation coefficient are being measured over a range of moisture contents and temperatures. Selective chemical extractions were used to determine the form of radium and uranium in the soil. 7 refs., 10 figs., 1 tab.

Research Organization:
Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park (USA). Coll. of Earth and Mineral Sciences
DOE Contract Number:
FG02-87ER60577
OSTI ID:
6917355
Report Number(s):
DOE/ER/60577-T1; ON: DE89003042
Resource Relation:
Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English