Preliminary studies on soil radon activity at geothermal hotspot of Bakreswar-Tantloi

Abstract

Bakreswar-Tantloi region of India, besides being a geothermally active region, also harbours a high amount of Radon in soil-gas and groundwater of the region. Measurement of Radon-content across the region is an active area of research aimed to properly understand the geothermal potential of the region, the study of local geology and to determine the risks of Radon exposure in the area. In an aim to evaluate the Radon potential of this important geothermal hub, we have done a pilot study on the region by doing spot measurements of Soil-Radon activity in 41 specific geographic locations spread out across the region of interest which will act as groundwork for further in-depth analysis. The measurements showed that Radon activity varies widely in the region with the Radon activity ranging from 1 kBqm−3 to 52 kBqm−3 across the measured locations. Mean Radon activity across the measured locations was found to be 16 kBqm−3 with standard deviation of the sample set of 14 kBqm−3. Seven locations recorded Radon activity to be greater than standard deviation from average while four locations recorded Radon activity greater than twice the standard deviation from average.