Environmental Alpha Radiation from the Soil at a Prehispanic Ancient Sacred Site in Lima, Perú

• Autorzy: Díaz Félix , Liza Rafael , Rojas Jhonny , Pereyra Patrizia , Lopez Maria Elena , Palacios Daniel , Sajo-Bohus Laszlo , Benites Santiago

Identyfikatory

DOI

10.12912/27197050/174034

• Języki publikacji: EN

Abstrakty

EN

In the present work, we investigate the concentration of radon and its alpha-emitting progeny at the archaeological site of Huaca 20 in Lima, Peru. The site holds significant cultural and historical importance as an ancient pre-Inca ruin, providing valuable insights into the lives and rituals of its former inhabitants. We quantified the radon levels accurately with passive CR-39^TM detectors deployed within specially designed chambers at the site for 28 days. In a controlled laboratory environment, we processed the detectors afterward, examining and analyzing the resulting tracks using advanced microscopy and the ImageJ analysis software. The ground-level concentration of radon and its alpha-emitting progeny was determined, revealing elevated levels ranging from 2.4 ± 0.6 to 8.9 ± 0.9 (kBq/m³ ). These findings underscore the unique presence of radon at Huaca 20 and highlight the potential impact on microorganisms at ground level. Likewise, these results can contribute to studies on the radiological risks faced by visitors, excavators and archaeologists. Finally, we show the spatial distribution of radon concentrations within the site by creating an iso-concentration map. The iso-concentration map reveals a relation between areas with elevated radon levels and the good preservation of funerary contexts.

Słowa kluczowe

EN

alpha particles; Radon; natural radioactivity

• Wydawca: Lubelski Oddział Polskiego Towarzystwo Inżynierii Ekologicznej ; Lublin University of Technology ; WNGB Wydawnictwo Naukowe
• Czasopismo: Ecological Engineering & Environmental Technology
• Rocznik: 2023
• Tom: Vol. 24, iss. 9
• Strony: 291--299
• Opis fizyczny: Bibliogr. 35 poz., rys., tab.

Twórcy

autor

Díaz Félix

• Vicerrectorado de Investigación, Universidad Autónoma del Perú, Panamericana Sur Km. 16,3. Villa El Salvador, Lima 15842, Peru

• https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8232-058X

autor

Liza Rafael

• Departamento de Ciencias, Sección Física, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, Av. Universitaria 1801, San Miguel 15088, Peru
• Dirección de Gestión Académica, Universidad Tecnológica del Perú, Av. El Sol 235, Canto Grande 3 Etapa, Lima 15419, Peru

• https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7295-1564

autor

Rojas Jhonny

• Departamento de Ciencias, Sección Física, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, Av. Universitaria 1801, San Miguel 15088, Peru

• https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3643-3399

autor

Pereyra Patrizia

• Departamento de Ciencias, Sección Física, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, Av. Universitaria 1801, San Miguel 15088, Peru

• https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0435-4693

autor

Lopez Maria Elena

• Departamento de Ciencias, Sección Física, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, Av. Universitaria 1801, San Miguel 15088, Peru

• https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5028-4414

autor

Palacios Daniel

• Departamento de Ciencias, Sección Física, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, Av. Universitaria 1801, San Miguel 15088, Peru

• https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8248-347X

autor

Sajo-Bohus Laszlo

• Laboratorio de Física Nuclear, Universidad Simón Bolívar, Caracas 1080, Venezuela
• Alba Regia Technical Faculty, Óbuda University, 800 Szekesfehervar, Hungary

• https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6082-3920

autor

Benites Santiago

• Vicerrectorado de Investigación, Universidad Autónoma del Perú, Panamericana Sur Km. 16,3. Villa El Salvador, Lima 15842, Peru

• https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8511-7106

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Uwagi

Opracowanie rekordu ze środków MNiSW, umowa nr SONP/SP/546092/2022 w ramach programu "Społeczna odpowiedzialność nauki" - moduł: Popularyzacja nauki i promocja sportu (2024).