title: The influence of meteorological parameters on soil radon levels in permeable glacial sediments.
abstract: The influence of meteorological parameters on soil radon concentrations in a permeable ice-marginal deposit in Kinsarvik, Norway, was investigated based on continuous measurements of soil radon concentrations, temperature, precipitation, wind speed, wind direction, air pressure and soil moisture content over a period of 10 months. The results show that the soil radon concentrations exhibit distinct seasonal and diurnal variations that predominantly are caused by changes in air temperature. Air flows between areas of different elevation occur in the ice-marginal deposit due to temperature differences between soil air and atmospheric air, and instantaneous changes in air flow direction were recorded when the atmospheric air temperature reached the average annual air temperature. Air pressure was found to be the second most important parameter influencing soil radon concentrations, while no apparent effect of precipitation, wind speed, wind direction or soil moisture was observed. Seasonal variations in indoor and soil radon levels were also investigated in a glaciofluvial deposit located 40 km southwest of Kinsarvik, and the close correlation between the seasonal variation patterns observed in the two areas suggests that the results of the Kinsarvik study also might be applicable to other areas of highly permeable building grounds where differences in terrain elevation exist.
authors.affiliation: Norwegian Radiation Protection Authorities, P.O. Box 55, N-1332 Osterås, Norway.
authors.forename: Aud Venke
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Sundal
authors.forename: Vidar
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Valen
authors.forename: Oddmund
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Soldal
authors.forename: Terje
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Strand
mesh_terms: D000396:Air Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000032:analysis; D046448:Ice Cover / Q000737:chemistry*; D008685:Meteorological Concepts; D009664:Norway; D010539:Permeability; D011886:Radon / Q000032:analysis*; D012621:Seasons; D012990:Soil Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D000396:Air Pollutants, Radioactive; D012990:Soil Pollutants, Radioactive; D011886:Radon