Parameters of modeling radon transfer through soil and methods of their determination

The paper considers diffusion–convection and diffusion models of radon transfer through soil and their main parameters, namely convection rate, diffusion and emanation coefficients. It is shown that physical interpretation and values of these parameters depend on the measurement method. It is proposed to consider modeling parameters as phenomenological ones and to determine them on basis of radon activity in soil pores measured under natural conditions. A simple method is proposed for the determination of parameters under specific geological and climatic conditions based on measurement of radon volumetric activity in pores at two twice different depths. The article presents the results of measuring effective diffusion and emanation coefficients of highly-dispersed clay soils of Tomsk (Russia) obtained by different methods under both laboratory and natural conditions, their analysis is conducted.

► Evaluation of radon danger in building estates.
► Method of mathematical modeling of radon transfer.
► The diffusion and diffusion-convection models.
► Analysis of the used models of radon transfer through soils.
► Methods and results of modeling parameters determination.