THE NRPI MULTI-PURPOSE ON-LINE MONITORING STATION FOR MEASUREMENT OF NATURAL RADIOACTIVITY IN THE AMBIENT ATMOSPHERE...

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Radiological Protection
• Atmospheric Science

Background:

• Automated outdoor monitoring stations are crucial for environmental radiation assessment.
• The National Radiation Protection Institute (NRPI) in Prague previously established a station for atmospheric radon and meteorological parameters.
• Expansion of the station in 2013 enhanced its capabilities for comprehensive environmental monitoring.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce an updated, expanded outdoor measurement station for comprehensive environmental monitoring.
• To demonstrate the station's utility in atmospheric modeling and real-time monitoring.
• To analyze and compare radon concentration variations and equilibrium factor (F) using data from two distinct locations.

Main Methods:

• Realization of an automated, on-line, wireless outdoor measurement station.
• Expansion of the station with modules for radon/thoron decay products, radon in water/soil, and soil radon exhalation.
• Data collection over a 3-year period at NRPI, Prague, and simultaneous annual measurements at a site near uranium mud fields.

Main Results:

• The updated station successfully measured atmospheric radon, gamma dose rate, meteorological parameters, radon/thoron decay products, and soil radon.
• Observed seasonal and diurnal variations in atmospheric radon concentrations were documented.
• Variability in the equilibrium factor (F) was analyzed and compared between the two monitoring sites.

Conclusions:

• The expanded monitoring station provides valuable data for atmospheric modeling and environmental radiation assessment.
• The study highlights significant seasonal and diurnal patterns in atmospheric radon levels.
• Comparative analysis of data from different environments (urban vs. near uranium fields) offers insights into radon behavior.