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Distribution of soil gas radon concentration in north-eastern Sicily (Italy): hazard evaluation and tectonic implications

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Abstract

Radon measurements in soil gases were carried out along the Tyrrhenian margin of north-eastern Sicily (southern Apennines of Italy), one of the most tectonically and seismically active areas within the central Mediterranean region. The collected data highlight an ~ NW–SE oriented zone located to the south of the Milazzo Peninsula marked by intense soil radon degassing. Concentrations of 222Rn and 220Rn were derived to be in the range of 0.69–81.3 kBq m−3 and 2.63–123.48 kBq m−3, respectively. The widespread radon release seems to be induced by the uprising of deep-originated fluids along faults and joints, and it is favoured by the high permeability of the outcropping alluvial Quaternary sediments. Moreover, the potential tectonic structure promoting the soil radon degassing may act as the “silent” on-land prolongation of the Vulcano-Milazzo fault zone (VMFZ), a transtensional tectonic element located in the Gulf of Patti and belonging to the Aeolian–Tindari–Letojanni System (ATLFS). The collected results are in accordance with previous studies showing the close relationship between regional degassing and tectonic activity. Periodical and continuous monitoring of radon emission over the area is considered of basic importance to better assess the radiological/health hazard for the population, which in this study was primarily evaluated from low to moderate in terms of first-level screening, as well as in view of possible development of the seismogenic process that can intensify the releasing of endogenous fluids.

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Data availability

Data generated during this study are included in Tables 2, 3 and 4.

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Acknowledgements

This work represents a part of the PhD thesis of Davide Romano (University of Messina; the dissertation defense took place on the 25th Feb 2022), which was funded by the FSE (Fondo Sociale Europeo) operational program (OP) for Sicily 2014–2020. The authors thank Carmelo Allegra, Andrea Maio and Antonio Torre for their support during field activities and the owners of the lands, where soil gases were collected. The authors acknowledge the Italia-Malta Interreg project “BESS” (Pocket Beach Management and Remote Surveillance System) Project for providing the velocimetric data of the Milazzo Peninsula. Moreover, we wish to thank two anonymous referees who provided very good suggestions to improve the quality of the manuscript.

Funding

This work was funded by the FSE (Fondo Sociale Europeo) operational program (OP) for Sicily 2014–2020.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Scienze Matematiche e Informatiche, Scienze Fisiche e Scienze Della Terra (MIFT), Università di Messina, Viale F. Stagno d’Alcontres 31, 98166, Messina, Italy

    Davide Romano, Giuseppe Sabatino, Salvatore Magazù & Alessandro Tripodo

  2. Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Sezione di Palermo, Via Ugo La Malfa 153, 90146 Palermo and Milazzo Office, Via Dei Mille 46, 98057, Milazzo, Italy

    Davide Romano, Marcella Di Bella, Alessandro Gattuso & Francesco Italiano

  3. Sede Territoriale Sicilia, Dipartimento di Ecologia Marina Integrata, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn (SZN), Via Dei Mille 46, 98057, Milazzo, Italy

    Marcella Di Bella

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  1. Davide Romano
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  2. Giuseppe Sabatino
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Contributions

"All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Data collection and analysis were performed by D.R., A.G. and G.S. The manuscript was written by D.R., M.D.B., S.M., A.T. and F.I. and all authors commented on all versions of the paper. D.R. prepared figures. All authors reviewed the manuscript."

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Correspondence to Davide Romano.

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Romano, D., Sabatino, G., Magazù, S. et al. Distribution of soil gas radon concentration in north-eastern Sicily (Italy): hazard evaluation and tectonic implications. Environ Earth Sci 82, 273 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-023-10956-6

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