Radon(Rn)is a naturally occurring radioactive inert gas in nature,and^(222)Rn has been routinely used as a powerful tracer in various aquatic environmental research on timescales of hours to days,such as submarine gro...Radon(Rn)is a naturally occurring radioactive inert gas in nature,and^(222)Rn has been routinely used as a powerful tracer in various aquatic environmental research on timescales of hours to days,such as submarine groundwater discharge.Here we developed a new approach to measure^(222)Rn in discrete water samples with a wide range of^(222)Rn concentrations using a Pulsed Ionization Chamber(PIC)Radon Detector.The sensitivity of the new PIC system is evaluated at 6.06 counts per minute for 1 Bq/L when a 500 mL water sample volume is used.A robust logarithmic correlation between sample volumes,ranging from 250 mL to 5000 mL,and system sensitivity obtained in this study strongly suggests that this approach is suitable for measuring radon concentration levels in various natural waters.Compared to the currently available methods for measuring radon in grab samples,the PIC system is cheaper,easier to operate and does not require extra accessories(e.g.,drying tubes etc.)to maintain stable measurements throughout the counting procedure.展开更多
Radon is the most important source of natural radiation to human beings and the second major causative agent of lung cancer other than smoking. In recent years, the hazards of human exposure to thoron (Rn-220), anothe...Radon is the most important source of natural radiation to human beings and the second major causative agent of lung cancer other than smoking. In recent years, the hazards of human exposure to thoron (Rn-220), another isotope of radon, and its progeny have gained consensus. To accurately evaluate the dose level and hazards of Rn-220 and its progeny, a standard Rn-220 chamber with strong regulation ability for Rn-220 and its progeny needs to be established for the scale or calibration of measurement instruments. This paper describes the hazards, sources, behavioral characteristics of Rn-220 and its progeny, and some representative Rn-220 chambers established in various countries.展开更多
基金The National Natural Science Foundation of China under contract Nos 42130410,41876075 and U1906210the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities under contract No.201962003.
文摘Radon(Rn)is a naturally occurring radioactive inert gas in nature,and^(222)Rn has been routinely used as a powerful tracer in various aquatic environmental research on timescales of hours to days,such as submarine groundwater discharge.Here we developed a new approach to measure^(222)Rn in discrete water samples with a wide range of^(222)Rn concentrations using a Pulsed Ionization Chamber(PIC)Radon Detector.The sensitivity of the new PIC system is evaluated at 6.06 counts per minute for 1 Bq/L when a 500 mL water sample volume is used.A robust logarithmic correlation between sample volumes,ranging from 250 mL to 5000 mL,and system sensitivity obtained in this study strongly suggests that this approach is suitable for measuring radon concentration levels in various natural waters.Compared to the currently available methods for measuring radon in grab samples,the PIC system is cheaper,easier to operate and does not require extra accessories(e.g.,drying tubes etc.)to maintain stable measurements throughout the counting procedure.
文摘Radon is the most important source of natural radiation to human beings and the second major causative agent of lung cancer other than smoking. In recent years, the hazards of human exposure to thoron (Rn-220), another isotope of radon, and its progeny have gained consensus. To accurately evaluate the dose level and hazards of Rn-220 and its progeny, a standard Rn-220 chamber with strong regulation ability for Rn-220 and its progeny needs to be established for the scale or calibration of measurement instruments. This paper describes the hazards, sources, behavioral characteristics of Rn-220 and its progeny, and some representative Rn-220 chambers established in various countries.