POSSIBLE CONSTRUCTION FEATURES OF EQUIPMENT FOR RADONOMETRY OF BOTTOM SEDIMENTS ON THE SEA SHELF DURING RESEARCH AT SHORE NPP SITES

Abstract

Problem statement. Along with other natural gases that are freely discharged into the atmosphere in tectonic fault zones in Earth’s crust, the best-known one is the radioactive gas Radon (²²²Rn). The properties of this gas, namely inertness, short half-life period (up to 3.8 days) and availability of progeny distinguish it from other gases, such as methane, hydrogen, helium, etc. Another problem is determining the activity of tectonic faults identified by seismic exploration works in the waters near sites of future shore NPPs or those under construction. All the existing devices for offshore works were analyzed. Their advantages and disadvantages, as well as their suitability for radon research, have been revealed. Purpose of the article. In the paper, the need is substantiated to introduce radonometry for seismotectonic studies at shore NPP sites located in the sea and ocean shelf zones. Conclusions and results. As a result of analyzing the systems available for these purposes, it was deemed necessary to develop new types of devices different from the already existing ones and, for good measure, experimental prototypes. Moreover, there have been proposed their possible layout schemes. Layout schemes of specialized devices for radon research on the shelf, just as the need for such research, have been proposed and justified for the first time. Offshore radonometry conducted to identify the tectonic activity of revealed fault zones can become another additional factor that increases the operational reliability of future NPPs and, first of all, their hydraulic structures.