Active measurement of radon exhalation in different soil profiles of Ghuttu Region of Garhwal Himalaya

Radon gas move from deep layers of the earth to the surface if the gas finds way into pores of rocks. In the exhalation process, the Radon is transported from earth surface to atmosphere. Transportation of radon from soil is through emanation and exhalation. Radon concentration in soil is due to the presence of minerals enriched with Uranium and porosity of the rocks. However, the presence of tectonic fault enhances the exhalation and therefore the Main Central Thrust zone in the study region causes a strong exhalation rate. This paper deals with Radon mass exhalation rate from soil sample of Ghuttu region of Garhwal Himalaya. Samples were collected from 16 different locations and from different soil profiles. The mass exhalation rate in this region varies from 9.60 ± 1.80 mBq/Kg/h to 304.07 ± 14.75 mBq/Kg/h. Gamma radiation level was found to vary from 0.16 ± 18 mSv/h to 0.38±18 mSv/h and we also measured the pH of soil which varies from 4.2 to 6.65. The obtained results show a positive correlation of (0.42) between mass exhalation and Gamma radiation level and (0.30) between Mass exhalation and pH. Detail discussion of the results obtained will be done during the conference. (author)