The characteristics of radon and thoron concentration from soil gas in Shenzhen City of Southern China

Abstract

Abstract Radon (222Rn) and thoron (220Rn) from soil gas are very significant factors that can affect the indoor radon level in the first floor or in the basement. China is one of the countries with the highest thorium content in the world. Therefore, it is very significant to study 222Rn/220Rn concentration in the soil in Shenzhen City (SC). A 222Rn/220Rn survey was performed using a portable radon monitor (model RAD7) at 69 sites, covered a total area of 1800 km2 in 2013 to get the original data for radon risk estimation in SC. The average values of 222Rn and 220Rn concentration of soil gas of the total 69 locations are 86 ± 72 kBq·m−3 and 118 ± 85 kBq·m−3, respectively. 222Rn/220Rn concentrations are related to geological lithology. 222Rn concentrations vary from 40 to 370 kBq·m−3 and from 15 to 118 kBq·m−3 in weathered granite products and sediments, respectively, while 220Rn concentrations are from 103 to 435 kBq·m−3 and 2.2 to 96 kBq·m−3. The higher 220Rn values were mainly observed at the sites covered by the weathered granite products. Comparing with the areas of high 222Rn concentration, the areas of high 220Rn values are larger. The distribution of 222Rn concentration in the vertical direction displays an exponential distribution mode, but there is no rule of 220Rn concentration. The investigation suggests that people should pay attention to 220Rn contribution in the radon mapping of SC, as well as in the indoor radon survey.