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Thoron and radon exhalation and emanation from granitic rocks outcropping in the Central Iberian Zone (Portugal)

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Abstract

Terrestrial radionuclides present in soil, bedrock and building materials are considered the main source of indoor radon (222Rn) and thoron (220Rn). Due to its shorter half-life, 220Rn is often neglected, however, its contribution to the dose received by the population may be significant. Therefore, improving existing knowledge on 220Rn exhalation from bedrock is crucial for an accurate assessment of the risk of exposure to ionizing radiation. In the present work 222Rn and 220Rn exhaled per unit mass (EX) and emanation coefficient (EM) were measured simultaneously in granitic rock samples collected in the Central Iberian Zone. The relationship between the 222Rn and 220Rn EX, EM, the activity concentrations of 226Ra and 224Ra, and bulk density are investigated. 226Ra and 224Ra activity concentration are generally similar between the samples, except in syn-to late-tectonic two mica granites (B2) and porphyritic granodiorites (C1). On average, 222Rn EX and EM are higher than 220Rn EX and EM, despite a similar range. Heterogeneities in 226Ra and 224Ra activity, and 222Rn EX and EM are observed linked to the time of emplacement of granitic intrusions relative to the third deformation phase of the Variscan orogeny. 220Rn EX is homogeneous among different granite types and may exceed 222Rn EX in C1 granites due to a higher activity concentration of 224Ra. No correlation is observed between 226Ra and 224Ra, hindering the correlation between 222 and 220Rn data, which implies that 220Rn must be estimated directly for a proper assessment of 220Rn contribution to the dose received by the population. Bulk density is also different according to granite type, being higher in granites from the C group (granodiorites and biotite), and lower in granites from groups A (pre-Variscan and earlier Variscan granitoids) and B (S-type leucogranites and two mica granites). These differences are closely linked to the distinct geochemical composition and mineralogy of the granitic rocks.

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Fig. 1

adapted from LNEG (2010) showing the location of the samples collected. The terrestrial gamma dose rate (TGDR) was retrieved from Batista et al. (2013). TGDR data were collected through both airborne and ground surveys (with hand-carried and vehicle-borne equipment)

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the financial and technical support provided by the Laboratory of Natural Radioactivity of the Department of Earth Sciences (University of Coimbra, Portugal) and IATV—Instituto do Ambiente Tecnologia e Vida (Portugal).

Funding

This study was funded by the Laboratory of Natural Radioactivity of University of Coimbra (Portugal) and IATV—Instituto do Ambiente Tecnologia e Vida (Portugal).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. LRN-Laboratory of Natural Radioactivity, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal

    Filipa P. Domingos, Sérgio L. R. Sêco & Alcides J. S. C. Pereira

  2. IATV-Instituto do Ambiente, Tecnologia e Vida, Coimbra, Portugal

    Filipa P. Domingos & Sérgio L. R. Sêco

  3. Department of Earth Sciences, CITEUC-Center for Earth and Space Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal

    Alcides J. S. C. Pereira

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  1. Filipa P. Domingos
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  2. Sérgio L. R. Sêco
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  3. Alcides J. S. C. Pereira
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Contributions

FP Domingos was responsible for analysis and interpretation of data, and drafting the article. SLRS was responsible for acquisition of data and drafting the article. AJSC Pereira was responsible for conception and design, and for critically revising the article. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Filipa P. Domingos.

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This article is part of a Topical Collection in Environmental Earth Sciences on “Building Stones and Geomaterials through History and Environments—from Quarry to Heritage. Insights of the Conditioning Factors”, guest edited by Siegfried Siegesmund, Luís Manuel Oliveira Sousa, and Rubén Alfonso López-Doncel

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Domingos, F.P., Sêco, S.L.R. & Pereira, A.J.S.C. Thoron and radon exhalation and emanation from granitic rocks outcropping in the Central Iberian Zone (Portugal). Environ Earth Sci 80, 753 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-021-10008-x

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