A statistical summary of uranium and radon in soils from the coastal plain of Texas, Alabama, and New Jersey

This paper reports that the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain appears to be an area of low radon potential based on recently available indoor radon surveys and aerial radiometric data. Measurements of radon in soil gas, uranium and radium analyses of soil samples, flow-through permeability of soils, and descriptions of soil profiles were performed to test this hypothesis and to determine the radon-producing potential of the Coastal Plain. Data from Texas, Alabama, and New Jersey indicate that Cretaceous and lower Tertiary glauconitic sands, Cretaceous and Tertiary chalks and carbonaceous shales, and phosphorites have the highest radon potential. Marine limestones and quartz sands have the lowest radon potential. In general, the coastal Plain appears to be a region of low to moderate radon potential in the three states examined, especially when compared to other geologic terrains