Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Radon concentration in three Florida caves: Florida, Jennings, and Ocala

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Carbonates and Evaporites Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study reports the first radon concentration measurements within three frequently visited caves in Florida: one touristic (Florida Caverns), one private (Ocala Caverns), and one private, but publicly accessible (Jennings Cave). To measure the radon concentration, 18 CR-39 solid-state alpha track detectors were placed along the main passages of these caves for a period of 2 months (between December 2016 and February 2017). The results show that the radon concentration throughout all caves greatly exceeds the recommended safety action level. The highest concentrations of 2737 and 2958 Bq m−3 were recorded in Ocala and Jennings caves, respectively; whereas in Florida Caverns, the concentration reached a value as high as 1050 Bq m−3. To aid in ventilation, allowing the built-up gas to disperse, it is suggested that at Florida Caverns, the entry doors to be periodically opened for several hours. In locations with high concentrations where additional ventilation is not possible, such as Ocala and Jennings, it is recommended that the exposure time to be limited. Although radon values measured in the surveyed caves are high, the occasional cave visits are generally safe as the overall exposure time is minimal. However, cave guides and workers may have an increased risk as they spend many hours a day during which they are exposed to these high radon concentrations.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Amin RM, Eissa M (2008) Radon level and radon effective dose rate determination using SSNTDs in Sannur cave, Eastern desert of Egypt. Environ Monit Assess 143(1):59–65

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aytekin H, Baldık R, Celebi N, Ataksor B, Taşdelen M, Kopuz G (2005) Radon measurements in the caves of Zonguldak (Turkey). Radiat Prot Dosim 118(1):117–121

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bahtijari M, Vaupotič J, Gregorič A, Stegnar P, Kobal I (2008) Exposure to radon in the Gadime Cave, Kosovo. J Environ Radioact 99(2):343–348

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bezek M, Gregorič A, Vaupotič J (2013) Radon decay products and 10–1100 nm aerosol particles in Postojna Cave. Nat Hazards Earth Syst Sci 13(3):823–831

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bican-Brisan N, Cosma C, Cucos A, Burghele D, Papp B, Constantin S, Moldovan M, Gifu S (2016) Use of CR-39 solid state nuclear track detectors in assessment of the radon exposure in two limestone caves in Romania. Rom J Phys 61(5–6):1040–1050

    Google Scholar 

  • Bochicchio F (2014) Protection from radon exposure at home and at work in the directive 2013/59/Euratom. Radiat Prot Dosim 160(1–3):8–13

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chambers D (2014) Overview of occupational radon exposure—past, present and future. In: 2nd international conference on occupational radiological protection, Vienna, 1–5 December 2014

  • Cigna AA (2005) Radon in caves. Int J Speleol 34(1):1–18

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cosma C, Szacsvai K, Dinu A, Ciorba D, Dicu T, Suciu L (2009) Preliminary integrated indoor radon measurements in Transylvania (Romania). Isot Environ Health Stud 45(3):259–268

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Craven SA, Smit BJ (2006) Radon in caves: clinical aspects. Int J Speleol 35(2):93–101

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cucoș Dinu A, Călugăr M, Burghele BD, Dumitru OA, Cosma C, Onac BP (2017) Radon levels in Romanian caves: an occupational exposure survey. Environ Geochem Health 39:1085–1099

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Darby S, Hill D, Deo H, Auvinen A, Barros-Dios JM, Baysson H, Bochicchio F, Falk R, Farchi S, Figueiras A, Hakama M, Heid I, Hunter N, Kreienbrock L, Kreuzer M, Lagarde F, Mäkeläinen I, Muirhead C, Oberaigner W, Pershagen G, Ruosteenoja E, Rosario A, Tirmarche M, Tomášek L, Whitley E, Wichmann H, Doll R (2006) Residential radon and lung cancer-detailed results of a collaborative analysis of individual data on 7148 persons with lung cancer and 14208 persons without lung cancer from 13 epidemiologic studies in Europe. Scand J Work Environ Health 32:1–84

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dueñas C, Fernández MC, Cañete S, Pérez M, Gordo E (2011) Seasonal variations of radon and the radiation exposure levels in Nerja cave, Spain. Radiat Meas 46:1181–1186. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radmeas.2011.06.039

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dumitru OA, Onac BP, Fornós JJ, Cosma C, Ginés A, Ginés J, Merino A (2015) Radon survey in caves from Mallorca Island, Spain. Sci Total Environ 526:196–203

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dumitru OA, Onac BP, Cosma C (2016) Radon levels in caves from San Salvador, the Bahamas: a reconnaissance survey. Carbonates Evaporites 31(2):153–161

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eheman C, Carson B, Rifenburg J, Hoffman D (1991) Occupational exposure to radon daughters in Mammoth Cave National Park. Health Phys 60:831–835

    Google Scholar 

  • Espinosa G, Golzarri JI, Gammage RB, Sajo-Bohus L, Viccon-Pale J, Signoret-Poillon M (2008) Seasonal variation measurements of radon levels in caves using SSNTD method. Radiat Meas 43:S364–S368

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Field MS (2007) Risks to cavers and cave workers from exposures to low-level ionizing a radiation from 222Rn decay in caves. J Cave Karst Stud 69(1):207–228

    Google Scholar 

  • Fijalkowska-Lichwa L, Przylibski TA (2011) Short-term 222Rn activity concentration changes in underground spaces with limited air exchange with the atmosphere. Nat Hazards Earth Syst Sci 11(4):1179–1188

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Florea LJ (2008) Caves and karst of Florida. A guidebook for the 2008 NSS National Convention. National Speoleological Society, Huntsville

    Google Scholar 

  • Gillmore GK, Sperrin M, Phillips P, Denman A (2000) Radon hazards, geology, and exposure of cave users: a case study and some theoretical perspectives. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 46(3):279–288

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gillmore GK, Phillips PS, Denman AR, Gilbertson DD (2002) Radon in the Creswell Crags Permian limestone caves. J Environ Radioact 62(2):165–179

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gregorič A, Zidansek A, Vaupotič J (2011) Dependence of radon levels in Postojna Cave on outside air temperature. Nat Hazards Earth Syst Sci 11(5):1523–1528

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hakl J (1997) Application of radon-222, as a natural tracer in environmental studies. Dissertation, Lajos Kossuth University Debrecen

  • Hakl J, Hunyadi I, Csige I, Géczy G, Lénárt L, Várhegyi A (1997) Radon transport phenomena studied in karst caves-international experiences on radon levels and exposures. Radiat Meas 28(1–6):675–684

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hand BM, Banikowski JE (1988) Radon in Onondaga County, New York: paleohydrogeology and redistribution of uranium in Paleozoic sedimentary rocks. Geology 16(9):775–778

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lario J, Sánchez –Moral S, Cuezva S, Taborda M, Soler V (2006) High 222Rn levels in a show cave (Castañar de Ibor, Spain): proposal and application of management measures to minimize the effects on guides and visitors. Atmos Environ 40(38):7395–7400

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nasir T, Rafique M, Rahman SU, Khalil M, Anwar N (2014) Evaluation of radon induced lung cancer risk in occupants of the old and new dwellings of the Dera Ismail Khan City, Pakistan. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 300(3):1209–1215

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Polk JS, van Beynen P, Asmerom Y, Polyak VJ (2013) Reconstructing past climates using carbon isotopes from fulvic acids in cave sediments. Chem Geol 360–361:1–9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Racoviță G (1975) La classification topoclimatique des cavités souterraines. Travaux de l’Institute de Spéologie Emile Racovitza 14:197–216

    Google Scholar 

  • Sainz C, Dinu A, Dicu T, Szacsvai K, Cosma C, Quindós LS (2009) Comparative risk assessment of residential radon exposures in two radon-prone areas, Ştei (Romania) and Torrelodones (Spain). Sci Total Environ 407(15):4452–4460

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt W (1989) Florida Caverns State Park, Jackson County, Florida. In: Schmidt W, Scott TM, Arthur J, Rupert F, Upchurch S, Randazzo A (eds) The Lithostratigraphy and Hydrostratigraphy of the Floridan Aquifer System in Florida: Tampa to Tallahassee, Florida, Field trip Guidebook T185. American Geophysical Union, Florida, pp 60–62

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Schmitz J, Fritsche R (1992) Radon impact at underground workplaces in western Germany. Radiat Prot Dosim 45(1–4):193–195

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Somlai J, Hakl J, Kávási N, Szeiler G, Szabó P, Kovács T (2011) Annual average radon concentration in the show caves of Hungary. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 287(2):427–433

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Urban M, Binns DAC, Estrada JJ (1985) Radon measurements in mines and dwellings. Kernforschungszentrum Karlsruhe GmbH, Karlsruhe

    Google Scholar 

  • US EPA (1992) Technical support document for the 1992 citizen’s guide to radon. EPA 400-R-92-011. Environmental protection Agency, Washington, DC, USA

Download references

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to the Florida Park Service and K. Banta of the Florida Caverns for providing access and guidance into the cave. Bill Birdsall of the Florida Speleological Society is also thanked for granting entry and offering guidance within Ocala Caverns. Southeastern Cave Conservancy and the Withlacoochee State Forest are acknowledged for allowing entrance into Jennings Cave. A special thank you goes to Evan Moore for assistance in placement and collection of detectors. This study was made possible by a research grant secured from the Karst Research Group at the University of South Florida.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Karst Research Group, School of Geosciences, University of South Florida, 4202 Fowler Ave., NES 107, Tampa, FL, 33620, USA

    Megan E. Smith, Oana A. Dumitru & Bogdan P. Onac

  2. Department of Marine Geosciences, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami, Miami, FL, 33149, USA

    Megan E. Smith

  3. “Constantin Cosma” Radon Research and Testing Laboratory, Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Babeș-Bolyai University, Fântânele 30, 400294, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

    Oana A. Dumitru, Bety D. Burghele & Alexandra Cucoș

Authors
  1. Megan E. Smith
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Oana A. Dumitru
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Bety D. Burghele
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Alexandra Cucoș
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Bogdan P. Onac
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Bogdan P. Onac.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Smith, M.E., Dumitru, O.A., Burghele, B.D. et al. Radon concentration in three Florida caves: Florida, Jennings, and Ocala. Carbonates Evaporites 34, 433–439 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13146-018-0473-7

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13146-018-0473-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation