Publication Date:
2021-01-07
Description:
Radon (222Rn) activity in air was measured for about 6 months at the summit of Mt. Etna
Central Crater (Sicily) by integrative radon dosimetry at two different heights above ground level (5 cm
and 1 m). This technique for air radon monitoring proved operational in the harsh volcanic environment of
Mt. Etna summit with a 94% recovery rate of dosimeters. In the southeast sector exposed to the main gas
plume, mean radon activity in free air (height 1 m) is significantly higher than the local background and the
ground level activity (height 5 cm). The results strongly suggest that the plume is enriched in radon by
≈550 Bq/m3, which has never been evidenced before. Radon activities also reflect soil degassing occurring in
the proximity of the crater, with increased ground level activities in zones of enhanced soil fracturing and
degassing. Radon measurements also revealed a hot spot in front of the Voragine vent with extraordinary
high levels of air activities (26 kBq/m3 at ground level and 8 kBq/m3 in free air). The temporal variation of
radon activity was investigated by replacing a few stations half way through the exposure period. The only
significant increase was associated with the site located under the main gas plume and correlated with
eruptive unrest within the crater. Finally, air radon levels higher than the recommended threshold of
300 Bq/m3 were detected in several zones on the rim and could generate a nonnegligible radiologic dose for
workers on the volcano.
Description:
Published
Description:
e2019JB019149
Description:
3V. Proprietà chimico-fisiche dei magmi e dei prodotti vulcanici
Description:
JCR Journal
Keywords:
04.08. Volcanology
Repository Name:
Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV)
Type:
article
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