Spatial and temporal variations of radon and radon daughter concentrations within limestone caves

This thesis outlines results from an investigation of radon and radon daughter concentrations in limestone caves, from a geographical and geological perspective. Investigations were conducted at all geographical scales, ranging from a national investigation in the four major caving regions in England and Wales to a detailed survey within a single cave in the Peak District. Within limestone caves seven primary sources of radon were identified and the relative importance of each to the overall radon budget was determined. Sediments and the containing limestone rock were the major sources although in certain cases water and the soil were demonstrated to be influential. Models were developed to predict cave radon concentrations within a single cave. However, these could not be transposed to predict radon concentrations in other caves in the same region or other regions. (author)