RADON EXHALATION RATE ON THE WESTERN SLOPE OF BESHTAU MOUNTAIN, CAUCASIAN MINERAL WATERS REGION

P. S. Miklyaev^a,b,#, T. B. Petrova^c,##, A. M. Marennyi^b,###, N. A. Nefedov^b, T. V. Ostapchuk^d,####, D. V. Shchitov^e, P. A. Sidyakin^e,#####, and M. A. Murzabekov^e

^aSergeev Institute of Environmental Geoscience, Russian Academy of Sciences, Ulansky per. 13, str. 2, Moscow, 101000 Russia

^bResearch and Technical Center of Radiation-Chemical Safety and Hygiene, Federal Medical and Biological Agency of Russia, Schukinskaya ul. 40, Moscow, 123103 Russia

 ^cRadiochemical Department, Chemistry Faculty, Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory 1, str. 10, Moscow, 119991 Russia

 ^dCenter of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Federal Medical and Biological Agency of Russia, ul. Lenina 26, Lermontov, Stavropol region, 357340 Russia

 ^eNorth Caucasus Federal University, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Construction, ul. Ermolova 46a, Pyatigorsk, Stavropol region, 357500 Russia
^#E-mail:peterm7@inbox.ru
^##E-mail:tbp111@inbox.ru
^###E-mail:amarennyy@yandex.ru
^####E-mail:cge101@fmbamail.ru
^#####E-mail:sidyakin_74@mail.ru

The measurements on radon activity concentration in the air and radon exhalation rate from the soil surface were performed in the area of Beshtau Mt. The aim of this research was to determine the background levels of environmental radiation in this area under natural conditions, which are the least affected by uranium mining. The mean radon exhalation rate obtained for the areas composed by clay is 295 mBq/m2s. The average value of radon exhalation rate from the surface of magmatic rock reached 1438 mBq/m2s. It is established that high values of radon exhalation are caused by high content of uranium and radium in soils and rocks. In addition, the local spot with abnormally high radon levels was discovered. The radon exhalation rate and radon activity concentration in the air in the abnormal zone reach 15 000 mBq/m2s and 4000 Bq/m3 , respectively.

Abnormal levels of radon exaltation can be explained by the convective transfer of radon from the the mountain interior.

Key words: radon, radon exhalation rate, abnormal radon flux density, radon activity concentration, uranium mine.

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