Speaker
Description
Since 2023 radon exhalation measurements were carried out by our research team in northerneastern Greece. Measured values vary from 3.62 to 432 Bq•m⁻²•h⁻¹ (Fig. 1). Exhalation rates were measured by using a diffusion accumulator [1]. While the importance of lithology on radon exhalation has been recognized [2], lithology itself does not solely govern radon exhalation. The role of structural features such as faults and fissures as well as meteorological parameters has also been proven significant [3]. In order to examine the impact of the aforementioned factors a spatial database of measured radon exhalation rates, rock lithological types [4], fault distribution [5] and meteorological parameters was compiled. Comparative statistical analysis was conducted to check whether rock lithologies, i.e. fractured, massive and mylonitized rock, and sediment lithologies, i.e. topsoil, saprolite and thick sediment deposits present the same radon exhalation behavior. No significant differences were found. Further statistical analysis of the generalized lithological units of the research area and their radon exhalation rates showed that there is no clear correlation between them. Higher exhalation rates were measured nearer to fault lines within the same lithological units. The findings show that radon emission are dependent on tectonic structures and daily weather conditions rather solely on rock types. Radon exhalation thus may be used as an indicator of hidden faults if meteorological conditions are taken into account
References.
[1] A. Ouzounis and I. Kaissas, HNPS Adv. Nucl. Phys., vol. 31, pp. 90–95, 2025.
[2] H. Nan, et al., Atmosphere, vol. 17, no. 3, p. 289, Mar. 2026.
[3] P. S. Miklyaev, et al., Geochem. Int., vol. 59, no. 4, pp. 435–447, Apr. 2021.
[4] Institute of Geology and Mineral Exploration (IGME), 2015.
[5] J. Begg, et al., Scientific Data, 12:1853, 2025.