Abstract
Radon emanation which is the fraction of radon-222 atoms released in the connected pore space of a porous material, increases when the water content increases because of the low recoil range of this atom in water compared with air. This complex phenomenon is studied using reconstructed porous media and random packings where the phase distribution is obtained by a lattice Boltzmann technique incorporating interfacial tension and wetting. The influence of the pore structure, of the recoil range and of saturation, is systematically studied. The numerical results are in good agreement with data from uranium mine tailings.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Adler P.M., Jacquin C.G., Quiblier J.A.: Flow in simulated porous media. Int. J. Multiph. Flow 16, 691–712 (1990)
Barillon R., Ozgumus A., Chambaudet A.: Direct recoil radon emanation from crystalline phases. Influence of moisture content. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 69, 2735–2744 (2005)
Coelho D., Thovert J.-F., Adler P.M.: Geometrical and transport properties of random packings of spheres and aspherical particles. Phys. Rev. E. 55, 1959–1978 (1997)
Fleischer R.L.: Moisture and 222Rn emanation. Health Phys. 52, 797–799 (1987)
Igarashi G., Saeki S., Takahata N., Sumikawa K., Tasaka S., Sasaki Y., Takahashi M., Sano Y.: Ground-water radon anomaly before the Kobe earthquake in Japan. Science 269, 60–61 (1995)
Johnson D.L., Koplik J., Schwartz L.M.: New pore-size parameter characterizing transport in porous media. Phys. Rev. Lett. 57, 2564–2567 (1986)
Moctezuma-Berthier A., Vizika O., ThovertJ.-F. Adler P.M.: One- and two-phase permeabilities of vugular porous media. Transp. Porous Media 56, 225–244 (2004)
Nazaroff W.W.: Radon transport from soil to air. Rev. Geophys. 30, 137–160 (1992)
Richon P., Sabroux J.-C., Halbwachs M., Vandemeulebrouck J., Poussielgue N., Tabbagh J., Punongbayan R.: Radon anomaly in the soil of Taal volcano, Philippines: a likely precursor of the M 7.1 Mindoro earthquake (1994). Geophys. Res. Lett. 30, 1481 (2003). doi:10.1029/2003GL016902
Sasaki T., Gunji Y., Okuda T.: Mathematical modeling of radon emanation. J. Nucl. Sci. Technol. 41, 142–151 (2004)
Stranden E., Kolstad A.K., Lind B.: The influence of moisture and temperature on radon exhalation. Radiat. Prot. Dosim. 7, 55–58 (1984)
Sun H., Furbish D.J.: Moisture content effect on radon emanation in porous media. J. Contam. Hydrol. 18, 239–255 (1995)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Adler, P.M., Perrier, F. Radon Emanation in Partially Saturated Porous Media. Transp Porous Med 78, 149–159 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11242-008-9291-z
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11242-008-9291-z