Monitoring the changing levels of radon emanation from former uranium mine dumps in different seasons and their effect on the surrounding atmosphere

Abstract

Uranium mining waste represents a considerable potential source of radon emissions in the nearby environment. The project's aim (2021–2024) was to observe and evaluate the effects of seasonal fluctuations in radon release from former uranium mine dumps No.15 and No.4 in the Příbram area and their influence on the surrounding atmosphere. The objective was to describe the radiation situation and homogeneity of the dumps and to record and analyze the impact of climatic conditions, which contribute to radon transport to the adjacent communities. The progressive phase involved aerial and field measurements of the Ambient Dose Equivalent Rate, detecting hot spots using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), collecting air samples with Lukas cells, and continuously monitoring Radon Activity Concentration. Meteorological data filtered for conditions of temperatures, absence of wind, and no precipitation during night-time hours (from 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.) identified 890 days between 2005 and 2023. This corresponds to an average of 47 days per year during which conditions conducive to radon transport to the vicinity of the dumps were present, which, as determined, influences radon activity concentrations and their subsequent dispersion into the surrounding environment. These measurements confirmed elevated radon activity concentrations in the ambient air, exceeding several kBq/m³ with measured maxima of 27 kBq/m³. This project's integration of monitoring methods has resulted in a novel, comprehensive approach to determining radon transport from the dump to nearby communities. The ability to accurately identify areas with elevated Radon Activity Concentrations (RAC) plays a crucial role in optimizing strategies to mitigate the impact of radon decay products on public health.