Laboratory measurements on radon exposure effects on local environmental temperature: Implications for satellite TIR measurements

Publication date: Available online 15 April 2015 Source:Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts A/B/C Author(s): Giovanni Martinelli , Andrzej Tomasz Solecki , Dagmara Eulalia Tchorz-Trzeciakiewicz , Magdalena Piekarz , Katarzyna Karolina Grudzinska Surface latent heat flux (SLHF) is proportional to the heat released by phase changes during solidification, evaporation or melting. Effects of SLHF on the earth’s surface could be measured by satellite techniques capable of measuring thermal infrared radiation (TIR). Recent studies have found a possible correlation between SLHF and earthquakes, hence satellite techniques are widely used in research into the possible link between SLHF and earthquakes. Possible fluctuations in SLHF values during seismic periods have been attributed to different causes, such as the expulsion from the ground of greenhouse gases or because of radon. In particular, ionization processes due to radon decay could lead to changes in air temperature. Laboratory experiments have been carried out to highlight the possible role of radon in the thermal environmental conditions of a laboratory-controlled atmospheric volume.
Source: Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts ABC - Category: Science Source Type: research