• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.173-181
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• 2008

To ensure the performance of radon detectors, three passive radon detectors ($RadTrak^{(R)}$, $Radopot^{(R)}$, and $E-PERM^{(R)}$)have been reviewed. The difference ratios of RadTrak and Radopot tested in the radon standard chamber were -13.2% and -6.0%, respectively, which were in good accordance within 20% of the value measured by $AlphaGUARD^{(R)}$. To ensure the performance of the long term measurement, the 3 detectors were installed at the same position of approximately one hundred of dwellings for one year. The correlation curve between RadTrak and Radopot shows good agreement with a correlation coefficient ($R^2$) of 0.91. However, The correlation curve between E-PERM and Radopot shows bad agreement ($R^2$ = 0.021). In addition, the distribution map of annual mean indoor gamma dose rate measured with E-PERM was not in accordance with the distribution map of outdoor gamma dose rate measured by Portable Ion Chamber. According to the results, some requisites for the selection of the radon passive detectors in the large-scale indoor radon survey were discussed.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.17-25
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• 2016

In this study, the air quality of underground and overground railway stations was evaluated focusing on the degree of influence of the outside air quality. The measured components were particulate matter ($PM_{10}$), carbon dioxide ($CO_2$), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide ($NO_2$), formaldehyde (HCHO), ozone ($O_3$), total airborne bacteria (TAB), total volatile organic carbon (TVOC), and Radon (Rn), which are included in the maintenance standards and recommended standards of the Indoor Air Quality Management Act. Also, the indoor/outdoor concentration ratios of $PM_{10}$, $NO_2$, and $O_3$ were calculated to estimate the influence of the outdoor air quality. The concentrations of $PM_{10}$ HCHO, TVOC, $NO_2$, and Rn in the underground stations were found to be higher than those in the overground stations. These results indicate that the (present) generation of contaminants are caused by the indoor source of the underground station. The ozone concentration of the overground stations was higher than that of the underground stations, which indicates that the outdoor ozone concentration influenced that of the overground stations directly. Thus, methods of improving the IAQ should take into consideration the types of contamination.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.557-576
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• 2015

Groundwaters in granite, gneiss, and two-mica granite formations, including faults, in the Hoengseong area are examined to determine the relationship between their uranium and radon-222 contents and rock types. The chemical compositions of 38 groundwater samples and four surface water samples collected in the study area were analyzed. Sixteen of the samples showing high uranium and radon-222 contents were repeatedly analyzed. Surface radioactivities were measured at 30 points. The uranium and radon-222 concentrations in the groundwater samples were in the ranges of 0.02-49.3 μg/L and 20-906 Bq/L, respectively. Four samples for uranium and 35 samples for radon had concentrations exceeding the alternative maximum contaminant level of the US EPA. The chemical compositions of groundwaters indicated Ca(Na)-HCO₃ and Ca(Na)-NO₃(HCO₃+Cl) types. The pH values ranged from 5.71 to 8.66. High uranium and radon-222 contents in the groundwaters occurred mainly at the boundary between granite and gneiss, and in the granite area. The occurrence of uranium did not show any distinct relationship to that of radon-222. The radon-222, an inert gas, appeared to be dissolved in the groundwater of the aquifer after wide diffusion along rock fractures, having been derived from the decay of uranium in underground rocks. The results in this study indicate that groundwater of neutral or weakly alkaline pH, under oxidizing conditions and with a high bicarbonate content is favorable for the dissolution of uranium and uranium complexes such as uranyl or uranyl-carbonate.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.79-83
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• 1995

A number of investigators have reported formation of radiolytic ultrafine particles produced by the interaction of ionizing radiation with atmospheric trace gases. Previous studies have suggested that a very high localized concentration of the hydroxyl radical produced by the radiolysis of water can react with atmospheric trace gases such as $SO_2$ and produce lower vapor pressure compounds that can subsequently nucleate. To determine the trace gas and water vapor concentration dependence of the active, positively charged, first decayt product of radon (Po-218), a well-controlled radon chamber was used in this research. The mobility spectrum of the decay products in the range of $0.07-5.0cm^2/V\;sec$ from the radon chamber was measured using alpha track detector installed inside a specially-designed electrostatic spectrometer. Measurements were taken for different concentrations (0.5ppm to 5ppm) of $SO_2$ in Purified, Compressed air. A kinetics Study following the clustering of $SO_2$ around the $PoO_x^+$ ion in an excess of $SO_2$ for interpretation of the reaction processes was performed.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.313-324
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• 2018

In order to study the earthquake precursor in the Korean peninsula, long-term variations of chemical composition, radon-222, and water level were measured at depths (-60 m, -100 m) in the groundwater monitoring wells of the Daejeon and the Cheongwon area. The pH and electrical conductivity of groundwater in the monitoring wells showed some relationship with the Pohang earthquake. The ${HCO_3}^-$ and $Cl^-$ concentration of groundwater in the Daejeon and $Mg^{2+}$, $Cl^-$ and ${NO_3}^-$ in the Cheongwon showed some relation with the Pohang earthquake. However, it is not distinct to find the relationship between their variation and earthquake. The radon-222 concentration in Daejeon was observed a significant increase from a minimum of 162 Bq/L prior to the earthquake to 573 Bq/L right after the earthquake, that indicating a strong correlation with earthquakes. In the case of groundwater levels, it can not find some correlation between earthquakes and continuous decreasing trend in the monitoring wells of Daejeon and Cheongwon area. However, water level of a national groundwater observation well within 10 kilometers of Pohang epicenter was recorded as an abrupt drop right before the earthquake. Conclusively, although the location of monitoring wells is more than 180 kilometers apart from the epicenter of the Pohang earthquake, the radon gas in groundwater can be considered as a reliable candidate among earthquake precursors. The pH, electrical conductivity, ${HCO_3}^-$ and $Cl^-$ among hydrochemicals showed some correlation with earthquake should be monitored during a longer term to recognize distinctly as a precursor of earthquake.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Groundwater Environment
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.59-65
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• 1999

Both the groundwater changes due to different pumping rates and the geochemistry of thermal waters in the Suanbo area are considered in this study. The observation of groundwater level change since 1991 shows that the change is directly correlated with pumping rates of thermal waters and reveals the retardation of ca. 5 weeks after pumping. The hydrogeological aquifer in the area is under reducing condition. The thermal waters are of Na-HCO$_3$ type. and are alkaline (pH=8.5∼8.7) with low TDS values (274∼284 mg/l) and high concentrations of Na (68∼72 mg/l). F (6.4∼8.9 mg/l), and HCO$_3$(136∼146 mg/l). Oxygen and hydrogen isotope ratios of thermal water indicate a meteoric water origin. The activities of Rn-222 and Ra-226 in both thermal water and local groundwater were determined to delineate possible geochemical controls on the Rn-222 and Ra-226. The Rn-222 concentrations are several orders of magnitude greater than the Ra-226 concentrations. The concentrations of Rn-222 range from 190 to 7.490 pCi/1 with an average of 2,522 pCil/l. and those of Ra-226 average 0.32 pCi/1 with the range from 0.25 to 0.42 pCi/1. The concentrations of Rn-222 and Ra-226 are inversely correlated with EC and alkalinity. The pH it positively correlated with Ra-226. The correlation between Rn-222 and Ra-226 is poor. Thermal waters in the study area are produced from highly fractured phyllite. The thermal water qualify. CSAMT (controled-source audiofrequency magnetotelluric) prospecting, and petrological evidences, however, indicate that the heat is possibly transmitted through deep normal faults reaching a deep granite batholith, and the phyllite acts only as a groundwater pathway.

• The Sea:JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY OF OCEANOGRAPHY
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.178-185
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• 2013

We measured salinity and $^{222}Rn$ concentration to explore submarine spring along the coastal areas (Mundongri, Icheon-ri, Jukseong-ri, Daebyeon-ri, Yeonhwa-ri, and Dadae-po) including Ilkwang Bay of Busan Metropolitan City in 2009 and 2010. Before field observation, we selected the potential and possible locations of submarine spring based on the lineament distribution and rose diagram analysis. Salinity and radon concentration were measured within the 1~2 km from the coastal lines. Radon activity decreased gradually from onshore to offshore. Vertical profiles of salinity at some stations showed lateral transport of water mass characterized by low salinity. Vertical profiles of salinity in the Ilkwang Bay, which is a unique bay in the south-eastern coastal area of Busan Metropolitan City, also showed the occurrence of low salinity in the bottom seawater. Our results suggest the possible occurrence of submarine discharge of fresh groundwater in the coastal areas around Busan Metropolitan City. In the future, intensive research should be conducted for the exploration methods of submarine spring as well for the possible utility of submarine groundwater as alternative water resources.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.86-90
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• 2013

$^{222}Rn$ concentrations in the groundwater samples without standard material due to the short half-life (3.82 day) were measured through the establishment of the counting efficiency of LSC (Liquid Scintillation Counter) using a standard source of $^{226}Ra$. This study for Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) of $^{222}Rn$ analysis was performed to analyze blank samples, duplicate samples, samples of groundwater sampling before and after. In-situ blank samples collected were in the range of 0.44~6.28 pCi/L and laboratory samples were in the range of 1.66~4.95 pCi/L. Their correlation coefficient was 0.9691 and the source contamination from sampling, migration and keeping of samples were not identified. The correlation coefficient between original and duplicate samples from 65 areas was 0.9987. Because radon is an inert gas, in case of groundwater sampling, it is considered to affect the radon concentration. We analyzed samples separately by groundwater sampling before and after using distilled water, but there is no significant difference for $^{222}Rn$ concentrations in distilled waters of two types.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.163-170
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• 2015

The interest of the people in the radioactive contamination of the water has increased significantly and the study about analysis and management of radioactive materials are being actively conducted. And monitoring spots have been expanded to the range of public water as well as drinking water by publishing the rule of drinking water quality standards and examination in the Environmental Enforcement Ordinance No. 553 of Korea. In this study, US EPA was investigated as the foreign advanced cases and the way that is appropriate for the Korea was sought by analyzing investigate radionuclide, interval and management. As a result, in the selection part of investigate radionuclide, geological survey, status of nuclear power plants and the presence of the use of artificial radionuclides of the Korea should be investigated and additionally after the selection of a few radionuclides, the systems should be extended to cover all possible radionuclides by considering radioactive pollution levels in humans may be exposed due to the annual drinking water. In the part of the investigate interval, the concept(MCL, DL) should be set up for preventing concentration detection of above MCL and it needs to the maintenance and management. For example, when the concentration is more than MCL, it should be investigated on a quarterly and when the concentration is lower than MCL, it should be investigated to each different interval and management. And the US EPA divided the management area and make the roadmap for managing drinking water. The each classified area has been organized to match the state budget and labor force and the individual data have been managed effectively by HPGe, the NaI, TLD and so on.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.345-351
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• 2016

Objectives: The objective of this study was to conduct risk assessment using indoor radon concentration and exposure times. Methods: The target facilities were military facilities before and after the application of radon reduction processes and underground commercial facilities in major subway stations in Seoul. Indoor radon concentrations were measured by passive sampler. Results: Radon concentrations in 13 military facilities were initially higher than the guidelines, but the levels were below guidelines after the application of radon reduction processes. Underground shopping mall radon concentrations near subway stations in Seoul satisfied the guidelines. However, indoor radon effective doses after radon reduction processes in some military facilities and those in underground shopping malls belonged to International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) groups needing control management. Conclusion: Indoor radon management requires risk assessment data that takes into account working time (or residence time) in addition to management according to concentration guidelines.