Radon and Thoron Exhalation Rate Measurements in Soil Samples Collected from the Vicinity of a Thermal Power Plant

Abstract

Radon mass and thoron surface exhalation rate of soil samples collected from the surrounding area of Harduaganj thermal power plant (HTPP), Aligarh is measured using an active radon/thoron monitor (SMART RnDuo). The radon mass exhalation rate values range from 27±1 to 100±3 mBq kg−1 h−1 with a mean value of 63±17 mBq kg−1 h−1. The thoron surface exhalation rate values vary from 1.0 ± 0.2 to 10±1 kBq m−2h-1 with a mean value of 5.7 ± 2.2 kBq m−2h-1. The mean values of radon mass and thoron surface exhalation rate are found to be higher than the worldwide mean values