A study of the 222Rn flux from soil in the U mineralised belt at Jaduguda

This study presents a quantitative estimation of the 222Rn contributing potentials and effects of meteorological parameters on the 222Rn flux from natural soil in the U mineralised belt at Jaduguda, India. The soil 222Rn flux (i) has a geometric mean (χg) of 0.05 Bq m−2 s−1 with geometric standard deviation (σg) of 1.97, (ii) ascribes a 30–58% higher value in the afternoon compared to the forenoon, (iii) assumes a representative value at night and the morning before sunrise, (iv) exhibits irregular seasonal trends, (v) shows a positive linear correlation (correlation coefficient, γ=0.76) with ambient temperature, and (vi) is markedly attenuated by precipitation. There exists a positive correlation (γ=0.79) between 222Rn flux and ambient 222Rn levels. The ratios of atmospheric 222Rn concentrations to 222Rn flux, assuming a χg of 1090 Bq m−3 per Bq m−2 s−1, can serve as an index to predict the overall atmospheric 222Rn concentration in the adjoining environment.