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Statistical inferences from measured data on concentrations of naturally occurring radon, thoron, and decay products in Kumaun Himalayan belt

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Abstract

Regional averages of radon, thoron, and associated decay product concentration are reported to be higher than their respective global averages in recent studies conducted in Indian Himalayan belt. The present study explores another region in Indian Himalayan belt by conducting measurements of radon, thoron, and decay product’s activity concentration in 92 dwellings of Bageshwar district. The year-long measurements were performed in all 3 seasons distinguishing dwellings as per their construction material. The average radon and thoron concentration for the study region was measured as 57 Bq/m3 and 66 Bq/m3, respectively. Analysis of the measured data in terms of seasonal effects and construction material led to well established inferences, i.e., higher concentration for mud houses and for winter season. In addition, the present study focuses on lesser probed statistical inferences. One of them is related to the appropriateness of frequency distribution function for the measured data and other dwells upon the correlation analysis of inter-related factors for high concentration cases. Three distribution functions (Lognormal, Weibull, and Gamma) were found to be following the trend of frequency distribution curve of the measured data. For mud houses in winter season, variations of radon/thoron concentration were attempted to correlate with mass/surface exhalation rate, emanation rate, and source term content. More than 80% of the dwellings of the study region were found to have gas and decay product’s concentration levels, higher than the respective global average values. However, these values were mostly within the reference levels for residential environments. Nevertheless, this region requires further studies to pinpoint the causes for elevated levels and suggest simple remedial modifications if required.

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Acknowledgments

We are thankful to BRNS, Department of Atomic Energy, Mumbai, Govt. of India, for extending their laboratory facilities and funding for conducting the research work (project ref. 2013/36/61-BRNS/2470).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, Gurukula Kangri Vishwavidyalaya Haridwar, Haridwar, Uttarakhand, 249406, India

    Ankur Kumar & Parmanad Prakash Pathak

  2. USERC, Dehradun, India

    Prakhar Singh

  3. Radiological physics and advisory division, Bhabha Atomic Research Center, Mumbai, India

    Tarun Agarwal & Manish Joshi

  4. Department of Physics, Govt. PG College New Tehri, New Tehri, Uttarakhand, India

    Poonam Semwal & Kuldeep Singh

  5. Department of Physics, HNBGU Badshahithaul New Tehri, New Tehri, Uttarakhand, India

    Rakesh Chand Ramola

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  1. Ankur Kumar
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  2. Prakhar Singh
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  3. Tarun Agarwal
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Correspondence to Ankur Kumar.

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Kumar, A., Singh, P., Agarwal, T. et al. Statistical inferences from measured data on concentrations of naturally occurring radon, thoron, and decay products in Kumaun Himalayan belt. Environ Sci Pollut Res 27, 40229–40243 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-020-09920-9

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