Spatial multi-criteria approaches for estimating geogenic radon hazard index.

Abstract

The geogenic radon hazard index (GRHI) map plays a crucial role in evaluating radon exposure risks. The construction of this map requires a comprehensive analysis of radon levels in soil gas and some critical factors, such as uranium content in bedrock, soil permeability, and geological inhomogeneities. In this context, the spatial multi-criteria decision analysis is proposed with the aim of combining various key geological parameters and identifying high-potential radon areas. In particular, the multivariate integration involves the fuzzy gamma operator method and a hybrid multi-criteria decision-making technique, namely AHP-TOPSIS, which represents a novel approach in GRHI mapping. Thus, a comparison is provided through the definition of the GRHI maps of an unexplored study area, that is the Apulia region, located in Southern Italy. In order to evaluate the output maps, high radon potential areas are identified based on some available indoor radon measurement data. The success-rate curve, as a valid evaluation metric, is employed for the performance assessment and comparison of these two methods. The results demonstrate that although both generated GRHI maps are closely correlated with high-potential radon zones, the hybrid AHP-TOPSIS method is preferable.