super(222)Rn concentrations, natural flow rate and the radiation exposure levels in the Nerja Cave

Duenas, C; Fernandez, MC; Canete, S; Carretero, J; Liger, E

Department of Applied Physics I, Faculty of Sciences, University of Malaga, 29071 Malaga, Spain

Atmospheric Environment Vol. 33, no. 3, pp. 501-510. Feb 1999. ISSN 1352-2310

super(222)Rn concentrations in the air in Nerja Cave (Spain) have been measured over 4 yr and at four sampling points. Concentrations average 168 Bq m super(-3) in the spring-summer when the temperature lapse rate provides a stable cave atmosphere. In the autumn-winter, the radon levels decrease to 48 Bq m super(-3). super(222)Rn flux has also been measured for soils in the cave, with an average value of 34 x 10 super(-3) Bq m super(-2) s super(-1). The average natural flow rate in the spring-summer is about 0.70 m super(3) s super(-1) and the autumn-winter is approximately 3.6 m super(3) s super(-1) determined over 1992-1995. The radiation exposure levels for workers and tourists represent only a low percentage of the exposure guides for the general population.