Abstract
The paper presents and discusses radon activity concentrations in Cypriot groundwater systems as a function of the background lithology and seasonal/meteorological conditions using an airborne radon monitoring system (ARM) after separation of radon by out-gassing. Radiometric analysis of groundwater samples obtained from non-contaminated systems showed that radon concentration in groundwaters varies strongly (0.1–10 Bq L−1) depending mainly on the hosting geological matrix but also to lesser degree on atmospheric/meteorological conditions. The associated excess annual dose has been estimated to range between 10−6 and 10−4 mSv y−1, which is an insignificant contribution to the radiation exposure of the Cypriot population caused by airborne radon (0.5 ± 0.4 mSv y−1).
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Acknowledgements
This work was conducted with the financial support of the Cyprus Research Promotion Foundation (Grant No. ANABATHMISI/PAGIO/0308/04) and the University of Cyprus.
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Kiliari, T., Tsiaili, A. & Pashalidis, I. Lithological and seasonal variations in radon concentrations in Cypriot groundwaters. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 284, 553–556 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-010-0518-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-010-0518-4