Geophysical processes and biosphere: article

Аnnotation: The radium production industry existed in 1931–1956 in the territory of the village Vodny, located on the bank of the river Ukhta within the Ukhta fold of the Timan ridge. Areas with radioactive сontamination remain here to this day. The authors conducted radiometric studies of the volumetric activity of soil radon (VAR) and gamma radiation. As a result, a radon anomaly measuring 2×1.5 km was discovered, with a radiation intensity of 5000–15 000 Bq/m3. Within the anomaly there are former radium mining sites with zones of high gamma radiation dose rates. Former radium mining sites with zones of high gamma radiation dose rates are located within the identified anomaly. High concentrations of VRA are observed in places sources of gamma radiation having a small area, while the anomalous area with gamma radiation values of more than 1000 Bq/m3 covers a significant area. The complex structure of the Ukhta fold, its strong fragmentation, especially in the arch part, allows us to assume many small faults, zones of fracturing and fragmentation. The removal of radionuclides, their dissolution by mineral waters and further transfer occurs precisely through them. Summarizing the data obtained, we can conclude that the radon field in the study area is formed due to the burial of industrial waste and a specific geological and tectonic position – the close occurrence of the Baikal basement and the presence of a network of faults serving channels for convective transfer of fluids, in particular radon.