Emanation power of radon and its concentration in soil and rocks

Experiments were carried out to determine emanation power and radon levels in different kinds of soil and bedrocks. Seven stations were selected in the investigated district, which covers an area of about 2300 km(2) in the northern and western part of Jordan. Five holes were dug in each station at different depths. Two to three passive dosimeters using plastic detectors (CR-39) were put in each hole. Two weeks later, the dosimeters were collected and chemically etched. Some soil and rock samples from the study area were collected and analyzed for radioactive nuclides using gamma -ray spectroscopy. The correspondence between radon levels in the soil gas and its precursor concentrations is not clear. However, the study confirms the exponential increase in radon level with depth. In general, Al-Hisa phosphate limestone showed the highest radon concentration while Amman silicified limestone showed the lowest concentration. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.