RADON MAPPING IN CROATIA AND ITS RELATION TO GEOLOGY

• Main Authors: Dario Perković, Frankica Kapor, Želimir Veinović, Ana Mostečak
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Faculty of Mining, Geology and Petroleum Engineering 2018-01-01
• Series: Rudarsko-geološko-naftni Zbornik
• Subjects: radon mapping; geology; Croatia; GIS; natural radioactivity
• Online Access: http://hrcak.srce.hr/file/295928
• ISSN: 0353-4529; 1849-0409

Radon is known as the main contributor to the natural background radiation exposure and mapping of different radon phenomenon presents an important task in both scientific and regulatory context. Considering the aspect of radon effects on health, identification of areas with elevated radon levels is a crucial step in radon monitoring and prevention of adverse effects on the populations and the environment. Different needs regarding the monitoring of the environmental radioactivity levels in Europe led to the initiatives such as the development of the European Atlas of Natural Radiation (EANR). To present different methods of radon mapping, European Indoor Radon Map and European Geogenic Radon Map projects are described briefly. The aim of this paper is to present the mapping of different aspects of radon (indoor and geogenic) and its importance in data visualization and information dissemination. The practical experiences worldwide provide context for future activities of radon mapping in Croatia. Existing Croatian initiatives in the field of radon risk research are mostly related to the investigations of indoor radon concentrations and identification of radon prone areas through one national study and several focused studies. Comparison of indoor radon levels in Croatia and several geological parameters identified new areas appropriate for future research that could lead towards a geogenic map of radon potential in Croatia.