Study of the parameters affecting radon gas flux from the stream sediments at Seila Area, South Eastern Desert, Egypt

Abstract EN

-Fifty one locations distributed on two sites at Seila area, South Eastern Desert of Egypt were chosen to study the effect of the local controlling parameters, namely the activity concentration of 238U, density and porosity of the stream sediments on the radon gas flux at this area.

The average value of the activity concentration of 238U in the stream sediments at the first site is 41.68 Bq/kg while it is 37.34 Bq/kg at the second site.

These values are higher than the worldwide average of 33 Bq/kg.

The average value of the radon flux from the stream sediments into the atmosphere at both sites at the studied area is much lower than the worldwide value of 0.016 Bq m-2 s-1.

It is essential for reliable radon measurements inside the stream sediments for any application that the porosity of these sediments should be studied to estimate the suitable hole depth.

Accordingly, this study was carried out in this study.

It is concluded that the passive measurements of radon flux are sensitive to the local parameters while the active measurements reflect the diurnal variations reliably