Affiliation: | (1) Volcanological Station of the Canary Islands, IPNA-CSIC, 38206, Tenerife, Spain;(2) THEMIS S.L., C/Vía Láctea s/n, 38205 La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain;(3) Department of Soil Sciences and Geology, Faculty of Biology, Universidad de La Laguna, 38206, Tenerife, Spain |
Abstract: | Four different continuous radon (222Rn)-detection systems have been compared in underground environments, namely three subhorizontal tunnels excavated for groundwater exploitation. Within observational uncertainties, all sensors detected the same concentrations of radon in the air of the tunnels, regardless of the methodology used to measure this radioactive gas. In this sense, the choice of continuous long-term radon monitoring sensors in underground tunnels is constrained by factors such as robustness of the instrumentation, power supply and cost, rather than the sensitivity of the detection methodology. This is particularly important for the monitoring of radon in the context of seismo-volcanic surveillance, where the harsh environmental conditions of the monitoring sites and the absence of electrical power supply are key factors to take into account. |