Laboratory-scale setup for radon transport monitoring in radionuclide-rich soils: Key points identification and protocols development

Abstract

[EN] A laboratory-scale experimental setup has been developed to simulate radon transport from radionuclide-rich soils under dynamic conditions. The setup allows simultaneous monitoring of the mobility of radon gas by leaching and by exhaling into the air phase under varying soil moisture conditions. Given that radon is a radioactive gas classified as Group 1 human carcinogen and stands as the 2nd reason for lung cancer worldwide, understanding its release and transport mechanisms in any environment is essential for effective radiological risk assessment. This work highlights the key aspects that must be considered and controlled to ensure a reproducible and stable experimental design that emulates the configuration of scenarios such as phosphate waste ponds and zones where radioactive content is distributed throughout the terrain. The identification of critical operational parameters provides a robust framework on what to consider when addressing the radon transport characterization and, later, be able to investigate the influence that environmental and the soil conditions have over radon release mechanisms.