title: Fractal Theory and Field Cover Experiments: Implications for the Fractal Characteristics and Radon Diffusion Behavior of Soils and Rocks.
abstract: Radon diffusion and transport through different media is a complex process affected by many factors. In this study, the fractal theories and field covering experiments were used to study the fractal characteristics of particle size distribution (PSD) of six kinds of geotechnical materials (e.g., waste rock, sand, laterite, kaolin, mixture of sand and laterite, and mixture of waste rock and laterite) and their effects on radon diffusion. In addition, the radon diffusion coefficient and diffusion length were calculated. Moreover, new formulas for estimating diffusion coefficient and diffusion length functional of fractal dimension d of PSD were proposed. These results demonstrate the following points: (1) the fractal dimension d of the PSD can be used to characterize the property of soils and rocks in the studies of radon diffusion behavior; (2) the diffusion coefficient and diffusion length decrease with increasing fractal dimension of PSD; and (3) the effectiveness of final covers in reducing radon exhalation of uranium tailings impoundments can be evaluated on the basis of the fractal dimension of PSD of materials.
authors: *School of Nuclear Resources Engineering, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China.
authors: Wanyu
authors: W
authors: Tan
authors: Yongmei
authors: Y
authors: Li
authors: Kaixuan
authors: K
authors: Tan
authors: Xianzhe
authors: X
authors: Duan
authors: Dong
authors: D
authors: Liu
authors: Zehua
authors: Z
authors: Liu
mesh_terms: D000396:Air Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004058:Diffusion; D017709:Fractals; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D008956:Models, Chemical; D015233:Models, Statistical; D010316:Particle Size; D011874:Radiometry; D011886:Radon / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry*; D012990:Soil Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D014501:Uranium / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000396:Air Pollutants, Radioactive; D012987:Soil; D012990:Soil Pollutants, Radioactive; D014501:Uranium; D011886:Radon