Radon levels in a deep geothermal well in the Po plain

ABSTRACT

The continuous study of radon concentrations in deep aquifers provides important information on the geophysics structure of aquifers and of the earth crust in general. Several studies, in particular, evidence the connection between radon concentration and earthquake. To be able to investigate these phenomena, the Institute for Applied General Physics has installed a station for the continuous radon monitoringin a geothermal 4000m deep well. This station is located at Rodigo in the Po plain close to Mantova. The radon level is measured with a 3"x3" Nal detector connected with a single channel analyser which detects y quanta over 900 Kev. The water from the head of the well flows at 100 litres per hour, in an almost cylindrically shaped container with a capacity of 200 litres, inside which there id the detector placed in a suitable housing. In this work, a correlation between radon levels and crust tides is discussed. Also owing to the exiguity of radon oscillation, at this stage of the studies it is not possible, however, to give a satisfactory explanation of the phenomena.(AU)