Radon concentration in caves as a proxy for tectonic activity in The Cantabrian Mountains (Spain)

Authors

  • Daniel Ballesteros UMR 6266 - IDEES, Université de Rouen Normandie-CNRS, Mont Saint-Aignan CEDEX, France http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2703-7730
  • Sergio Llana-Fúnez Geocantábrica Group, Department of Geology, University of Geology, c/ Jesús Arias de Velasco s/n. 33005 Oviedo, Spain http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8748-5623
  • Mónica Meléndez-Asensio Instituto Geológico y Minero de España. c/ Matemático Pedrayes 25, 33005, Oviedo, Spain
  • Ismael Fuente Merino RADON Group, Department of Medical Physics, University of Cantabria. c/ Cardenal Herrera Oria s/n, 39011 Santander, Spain
  • Carlos Sainz RADON Group, Department of Medical Physics, University of Cantabria. c/ Cardenal Herrera Oria s/n, 39011 Santander, Spain http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2029-4512
  • Luis Quindós RADON Group, Department of Medical Physics, University of Cantabria. c/ Cardenal Herrera Oria s/n, 39011 Santander, Spain
  • Irene DeFelipe Geosciences Barcelona (GEO3BCN-CSIC) https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0367-234X

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3986/ac.v50i1.7795

Keywords:

active fault, geoindicator, karst cave, radon

Abstract

Radon (Rn) constitutes a good geochemical tracer for neotectonic activity in faults since associated fracturing near the surface favours fluid escape to the atmosphere. In this contribution, we measured the Rn concentration in the air inside karst caves to constraints the recent fault activity in the Cantabrian Mountains (N Spain). Rock formations exhumed during the uplifting of the Cantabrian Mountains record a long history of fracturing, which has the potential to connect deeper sources of Rn with the surface. In this regional study, we correlate Rn measurements with cave survey data and geological structures using a Geographic Information Systems. Thirty-four Rn average concentration was recorded by CR-39 detectors during 8 integrated months. The method is applied to the central part of the Cantabrian Mountains that is built on sedimentary and low-grade metamorphic rocks relatively poor in U. Dominant tectonic structures and Rn concentration are examined in 28 cavities. The concentration of Rn values is higher than 0.5 kBq·m-3 in caves developed preferably following fractures with the direction N30oW, being the concentration greater than 0.8 kBq·m-3 in cavities located less than 200±50 m from subvertical faults with such orientation. Rn anomalies point to relative high connectivity along subvertical fault zones NW-trending, preserving fracture connectivity in the most recent structures in the Cantabrian Mountains. Finally, in the study area there is a low but significant radioactive hazard which is associated to fault zones in a fractured rock massif. It contrasts with other active tectonic settings where the radioactive hazard may come from fault movements.

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Published

2021-05-31

How to Cite

Ballesteros, D., Llana-Fúnez, S., Meléndez-Asensio, M., Fuente Merino, I., Sainz, C., Quindós, L., & DeFelipe, I. (2021). Radon concentration in caves as a proxy for tectonic activity in The Cantabrian Mountains (Spain). Acta Carsologica, 50(1). https://doi.org/10.3986/ac.v50i1.7795

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Original papers