222Rn and 220Rn concentrations in soil gas of the Izera Massif (Sudetes, Poland) as a function of sampling depth

Abstract

This research presents soil gas 222Rn and 220Rn concentrations measured at 17 locations in the Izera Massif of southwest Poland. The average 222Rn concentrations at sampling depths of 10, 40 and 80 cm were 8, 78 and 224 kBq m–3, respectively. The average 220Rn concentrations for the same depths (10, 40 and 80 cm) were 6, 10 and 13 kBq m–3, respectively. Profiles of the concentrations versus depth can be fitted by exponential, linear and polynomial functions for soils developed on fault zones, above uranium mineral deposits, and above faulted uranium deposits, respectively. Soils developed on bedrock without fault zones or uranium mineralisation exhibit concentrations that follow a power function with an exponent of p <1.