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4. Spectral modeling of scintillator for the NEMO-3 and SuperNEMO detectors

Author

Argyriades, J., Arnold, R., Augier, C., Baker, J., Barabash, A. S., Bongrand, M., Broudin-Bay, G., Brudanin, V. B., Caffrey, A. J., Cebrián, S., Chapon, A., Chauveau, E., Dafni, Th., Daraktchieva, Z., iaz, J. D, Durand, D., Egorov, V. G., Evans, J. J., Fatemi-Ghomi, N., Flack, R., Basharina-Freshville, A., Fushimi, K-I., Garrido, X., Gómez, H., Guillon, B., Holin, A., Holy, K., Horkey, J. J., Hubert, Ph., Hugon, C., Iguaz, F. J., Irastorza, I. G., Ishihara, N., Jackson, C. M., Jullian, S., Kanamaru, S., Kauer, M., Kochetov, O. I., Konovalov, S. I., Kovalenko, V. E., Lalanne, D., Lang, K., ere, Y. Lemi, Lutter, G., Luzón, G., Mamedov, F., Marquet, Ch., Martin-Albo, J., Mauger, F., Monrabal, F., Nachab, A., Nasteva, I., Nemchenok, I. B., Nguyen, C. H., Nova, F., Novella, P., Ohsumi, H., Pahlka, R. B., Perrot, F., Piquemal, F., Povinec, P. P., Richards, B., Ricol, J. S., Riddle, C. L., Rodriguez, A., Saakyan, R., Sarazin, X., Sedgbeer, J. K., Serra, L., Simard, L., Šimkovic, F., Shitov, Yu. A., Smolnikov, A. A., Soldner-Rembold, S., Štekl, I., Sugaya, Y., Sutton, C. S., Szklarz, G., Tamagawa, Y., Thomas, J., Thompson, R., Timkin, V. V., Tretyak, V. I., Tretyak, Vl. I., Umatov, V. I., ala, L. V, Vanyushin, I. A., Vasiliev, R., Vorobel, V., Vylov, Ts., Waters, D., Yahlali, N., and Žukauskas, A.

Subjects
Physics - Instrumentation and Detectors, High Energy Physics - Experiment
Abstract

We have constructed a GEANT4-based detailed software model of photon transport in plastic scintillator blocks and have used it to study the NEMO-3 and SuperNEMO calorimeters employed in experiments designed to search for neutrinoless double beta decay. We compare our simulations to measurements using conversion electrons from a calibration source of $\rm ^{207}Bi$ and show that the agreement is improved if wavelength-dependent properties of the calorimeter are taken into account. In this article, we briefly describe our modeling approach and results of our studies., Comment: 16 pages, 10 figures

Published
2010
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5. Measurement of the two neutrino double beta decay half-life of Zr-96 with the NEMO-3 detector

Author

Argyriades, J., Arnold, R., Augier, C., Baker, J., Barabash, A. S., Basharina-Freshville, A., Bongrand, M., Broudin-Bay, G., Brudanin, V., Caffrey, A. J., Chapon, A., Chauveau, E., Daraktchieva, Z., Durand, D., Egorov, V., Fatemi-Ghomi, N., Flack, R., Guillon, B., Hubert, Ph., Jullian, S., Kauer, M., King, S., Klimenko, A., Kochetov, O., Konovalov, S. I., Kovalenko, V., Lalanne, D., Lamhamdi, T., Lang, K., Lemiere, Y., Longuemare, C., Lutter, G., Mamedov, F., Marquet, Ch., Martin-Albo, J., Mauger, F., Nachab, A., Nasteva, I., Nemchenok, I., Nguyen, C. H., Nova, F., Novella, P., Ohsumi, H., Pahlka, R. B., Perrot, F., Piquemal, F., Reyss, J. L., Ricol, J. S., Saakyan, R., Sarazin, X., Shitov, Yu., Simard, L., Simkovic, F., Smolnikov, A., Snow, S., Soldner-Rembold, S., Stekl, I., Suhonen, J., Sutton, C. S., Szklarz, G., Thomas, J., Timkin, V., Tretyak, V. I., Umatov, V., Vala, L., Vanyushin, I., Vasiliev, V., Vorobel, V., and Vylov, Ts.

Subjects
Nuclear Experiment
Abstract

Using 9.4 g of Zr-96 and 1221 days of data from the NEMO-3 detector corresponding to 0.031 kg yr, the obtained 2vbb decay half-life measurement is [2.35 +/- 0.14(stat) +/- 0.16(syst)] x 10^19 yr. Different characteristics of the final state electrons have been studied, such as the energy sum, individual electron energy, and angular distribution. The 2v nuclear matrix element is extracted using the measured 2vbb half-life and is 0.049 +/- 0.002. Constraints on 0vbb decay have also been set., Comment: Published in Nucl.Phys.A (10 pages, 10 figures)

Published
2009
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6. Measurement of the background in the NEMO 3 double beta decay experiment

Author

NEMO Collaboration, Argyriades, J., Arnold, R., Augier, C., Baker, J., Barabash, A. S., Bongrand, M., Broudin-Bay, G., Brudanin, V. B., Caffrey, A. J., Chapon, A., Chauveau, E., Daraktchieva, Z., Durand, D., Egorov, V. G., Fatemi-Ghomi, N., Flack, R., Freshville, A., Guillon, B., Hubert, Ph., Jullian, S., Kauer, M., King, S., Kochetov, O. I., Konovalov, S. I., Kovalenko, V. E., Lalanne, D., Lang, K., Lemi`ere, Y., Lutter, G., Mamedov, F., Marquet, Ch., Martin-Albo, J., Mauger, F., Nachab, A., Nasteva, I., Nemchenok, I. B., Nova, F., Novella, P., Ohsumi, H., Pahlka, R. B., Perrot, F., Piquemal, F., Reyss, J. L., Ricol, J. S., Saakyan, R., Sarazin, X., Simard, L., Shitov, Yu. A., Smolnikov, A. A., Snow, S., S"oldner-Rembold, S., Stekl, I., Sutton, C. S., Szklarz, G., Thomas, J., Timkin, V. V., Tretyak, V. I., Tretyak, Vl. I., Umatov, V. I., V'ala, L., Vanyushin, I. A., Vasiliev, V. A., Vorobel, V., and Vylov, Ts.

Subjects
Nuclear Experiment
Abstract

In the double beta decay experiment NEMO~3 a precise knowledge of the background in the signal region is of outstanding importance. This article presents the methods used in NEMO~3 to evaluate the backgrounds resulting from most if not all possible origins. It also illustrates the power of the combined tracking-calorimetry technique used in the experiment., Comment: 32 pages, 23 figures, submitted to NIM A

Published
2009
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7. Low energy tracking and particles identification in the MUNU Time Projection Chamber at 1 bar. Possible application in low energy solar neutrino spectroscopy

Author

Daraktchieva, Z., Amsler, C., Avenier, M., Broggini, C., Busto, J., Cerna, C., Juget, F., Koang, D. H., Lamblin, J., Lebrun, D., Link, O., Puglierin, G., Stutz, A., Tadsen, A., Vuilleumier, J. -L., Vuilleumier, J. -M., and Zacek, V.

Subjects
High Energy Physics - Experiment
Abstract

In this paper we present the results from the measurements made with the MUNU TPC at 1bar pressure of CF4 in the energy region below 1 MeV. Electron events down to 80 keV are successfully measured. The electron energy and direction are reconstructed for every contained single electron above 200 keV. As test the 137Cs photopeak is reconstructed by measuring both the energy and direction of the Compton electrons in the TPC., Comment: 19 pages, 9 figures (6 figures in color); Figure 10 has been deleted from [v1]. Additional paragraph has been included; Manuscript is submitted to Nuclear Inst. and Methods in Physics Research, A

Published
2007
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8. Final results on the neutrino magnetic moment from the MUNU experiment

Author

The MUNU collaboration, Daraktchieva, Z., Amsler, C., Avenier, M., Broggini, C., Busto, J., Cerna, C., Juget, F., Koang, D. H., Lamblin, J., Lebrun, D., Link, O., Puglierin, G., Stutz, A., Tadsen, A., Vuilleumier, J. -L., and Zacek, V.

Subjects
High Energy Physics - Experiment
Abstract

The MUNU detector was designed to study neutrino-electron elastic scattering at low energy. The central component is a Time Projection Chamber filled with CF4 gas, surrounded by an anti-Compton detector. The experiment was carried out at the Bugey (France) nuclear reactor. In this paper we present the final analysis of the data recorded at 3 bar and 1 bar pressure. Both the energy and the scattering angle of the recoil electron are measured. From the 3 bar data a new upper limit on the neutrino magnetic moment was derived. At 1 bar electron tracks down to 150 keV were reconstructed, demonstrating the potentiality of the experimental technique for future applications in low energy neutrino physics., Comment: 7 pages, 8 figures; p. 3: changed definition of fidet

Published
2005
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9. Limits on the neutrino magnetic moment from the MUNU experiment

Author

Daraktchieva, Z., Lamblin, J., Link, O., Amsler, C., Avenier, M., Broggini, C., Busto, J., Cerna, C., Gervasio, G., Jeanneret, P., Jonkmans, G., Koang, D. H., Lebrun, D., Ould-Saada, F., Puglierin, G., Stutz, A., Tadsen, A., and Vuilleumier, J. -L.

Subjects
High Energy Physics - Experiment
Abstract

The MUNU experiment was carried out at the Bugey nuclear power reactor. The aim was the study of electron antineutrino-electron elastic scattering at low energy. The recoil electrons were recorded in a gas time projection chamber, immersed in a tank filled with liquid scintillator serving as veto detector, suppressing in particular Compton electrons. The measured electron recoil spectrum is presented. Upper limits on the neutrino magnetic moment were derived and are discussed., Comment: 9 pages, 7 figures Added reference: p.3, 1st col., TEXONO Added sentence: p.4, 1st col., electron attachement Modified sentence: p.5, 1st col., readout sequence Added sentence: p.5, 1st col., fast rise time cut

Published
2003
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11. Spectral modeling of scintillator for the NEMO-3 and SuperNEMO detectors

Author

Argyriades, J., Arnold, R., Augier, C., Baker, J., Barabash, A.S., Bongrand, M., Broudin-Bay, G., Brudanin, V.B., Caffrey, A.J., Cebrián, S., Chapon, A., Chauveau, E., Dafni, Th., Daraktchieva, Z., Díaz, J., Durand, D., Egorov, V.G., Evans, J.J., Fatemi-Ghomi, N., Flack, R., Basharina-Freshville, A., Fushimi, K.-I., Garrido, X., Gómez, H., Guillon, B., Holin, A., Holý, K., Horkley, J.J., Hubert, Ph., Hugon, C., Iguaz, F.J., Irastorza, I.G., Ishihara, N., Jackson, C.M., Jullian, S., Kanamaru, S., Kauer, M., Kochetov, O.I., Konovalov, S.I., Kovalenko, V.E., Lalanne, D., Lang, K., Lemière, Y., Lutter, G., Luzón, G., Mamedov, F., Marquet, Ch., Martin-Albo, J., Mauger, F., Monrabal, F., Nachab, A., Nasteva, I., Nemchenok, I.B., Nguyen, C.H., Nova, F., Novella, P., Ohsumi, H., Pahlka, R.B., Perrot, F., Piquemal, F., Povinec, P.P., Richards, B., Ricol, J.S., Riddle, C.L., Rodriguez, A., Saakyan, R., Sarazin, X., Sedgbeer, J.K., Serra, L., Simard, L., Šimkovic, F., Shitov, Yu.A., Smolnikov, A.A., Söldner-Rembold, S., Štekl, I., Sugaya, Y., Sutton, C.S., Szklarz, G., Tamagawa, Y., Thomas, J., Thompson, R., Timkin, V.V., Tretyak, V.I., Tretyak, Vl.I., Umatov, V.I., Vála, L., Vanyushin, I.A., Vasiliev, R., Vorobel, V., Vylov, Ts., Waters, D., Yahlali, N., and Žukauskas, A.

Published
2011
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12. Measurement of the two neutrino double beta decay half-life of Zr-96 with the NEMO-3 detector

Author

Argyriades, J., Arnold, R., Augier, C., Baker, J., Barabash, A.S., Basharina-Freshville, A., Bongrand, M., Broudin-Bay, G., Brudanin, V., Caffrey, A.J., Chapon, A., Chauveau, E., Daraktchieva, Z., Durand, D., Egorov, V., Fatemi-Ghomi, N., Flack, R., Guillon, B., Hubert, Ph., Jullian, S., Kauer, M., King, S., Klimenko, A., Kochetov, O., Konovalov, S.I., Kovalenko, V., Lalanne, D., Lamhamdi, T., Lang, K., Lemière, Y., Longuemare, C., Lutter, G., Mamedov, F., Marquet, Ch., Martin-Albo, J., Mauger, F., Nachab, A., Nasteva, I., Nemchenok, I., Nguyen, C.H., Nova, F., Novella, P., Ohsumi, H., Pahlka, R.B., Perrot, F., Piquemal, F., Reyss, J.L., Ricol, J.S., Saakyan, R., Sarazin, X., Shitov, Yu., Simard, L., Šimkovic, F., Smolnikov, A., Snow, S., Söldner-Rembold, S., Štekl, I., Suhonen, J., Sutton, C.S., Szklarz, G., Thomas, J., Timkin, V., Tretyak, V.I., Umatov, V., Vála, L., Vanyushin, I., Vasiliev, V., Vorobel, V., and Vylov, Ts.

Published
2010
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14. Measurement of the background in the NEMO 3 double beta decay experiment

Author

Argyriades, J., Arnold, R., Augier, C., Baker, J., Barabash, A.S., Bongrand, M., Broudin-Bay, G., Brudanin, V.B., Caffrey, A.J., Chapon, A., Chauveau, E., Daraktchieva, Z., Durand, D., Egorov, V.G., Fatemi-Ghomi, N., Flack, R., Freshville, A., Guillon, B., Hubert, Ph., Jullian, S., Kauer, M., King, S., Kochetov, O.I., Konovalov, S.I., Kovalenko, V.E., Lalanne, D., Lang, K., Lemière, Y., Lutter, G., Mamedov, F., Marquet, Ch., Martin-Albo, J., Mauger, F., Nachab, A., Nasteva, I., Nemchenok, I.B., Nguyen, C.H., Nova, F., Novella, P., Ohsumi, H., Pahlka, R.B., Perrot, F., Piquemal, F., Reyss, J.L., Ricol, J.S., Saakyan, R., Sarazin, X., Simard, L., Shitov, Yu.A., Smolnikov, A.A., Snow, S., Söldner-Rembold, S., Štekl, I., Sutton, C.S., Szklarz, G., Thomas, J., Timkin, V.V., Tretyak, V.I., Tretyak, Vl.I., Umatov, V.I., Vála, L., Vanyushin, I.A., Vasiliev, V.A., Vorobel, V., and Vylov, Ts.

Published
2009
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15. Environmental monitoring : phase 5 final report (April 2019 - March 2020)

Author

Ward, R.S., Smedley, P.L., Allen, G., Baptie, B.J., Barker, P., Barkwith, A.K.A.P., Bates, P., Bateson, L., Bell, R.A., Coleman, M., Cremen, G., Crewdson, E., Daraktchieva, Z., Gong, M., Howarth, C.H., France, J., Lewis, A.C., Lister, T.R., Lowry, D., Luckett, R., Mallin Martin, D., Marchant, B.P., Miller, C.A., Milne, C.J., Novellino, A., Pitt, J., Purvis, R.M., Rivett, M.O., Shaw, J., Taylor-Curran, H., Wasiekiewicz, J.M., Werner, M., Wilde, S., Ward, R.S., Smedley, P.L., Allen, G., Baptie, B.J., Barker, P., Barkwith, A.K.A.P., Bates, P., Bateson, L., Bell, R.A., Coleman, M., Cremen, G., Crewdson, E., Daraktchieva, Z., Gong, M., Howarth, C.H., France, J., Lewis, A.C., Lister, T.R., Lowry, D., Luckett, R., Mallin Martin, D., Marchant, B.P., Miller, C.A., Milne, C.J., Novellino, A., Pitt, J., Purvis, R.M., Rivett, M.O., Shaw, J., Taylor-Curran, H., Wasiekiewicz, J.M., Werner, M., and Wilde, S.

Abstract

This report presents the results and interpretation for Phase 5 of an integrated environmental monitoring programme that is being undertaken around two proposed shale gas sites in England – Preston New Road, Lancashire and Kirby Misperton, North Yorkshire. The report should be read in conjunction with previous reports freely available through the project website1 . These provide additional background to the project, presentation of earlier results and the rationale for establishment of the different elements of the monitoring programme.

Published
2020

16. Recommendations for environmental baseline monitoring in areas of shale gas development

Author

Ward, R.S., Rivett, M.O., Smedley, P.L., Allen, G., Lewis, A., Purvis, R.M., Jordan, C.J., Taylor-Curran, H., Daraktchieva, Z., Baptie, B.J., Horleston, A., Bateson, L., Novellino, A., Lowry, D., Fisher, R.E., Ward, R.S., Rivett, M.O., Smedley, P.L., Allen, G., Lewis, A., Purvis, R.M., Jordan, C.J., Taylor-Curran, H., Daraktchieva, Z., Baptie, B.J., Horleston, A., Bateson, L., Novellino, A., Lowry, D., and Fisher, R.E.

Abstract

Environmental monitoring plays a key role in risk assessment and management of industrial operations where there is the potential for the release of contaminants to the environment (i.e. air and water) or for structural damage (i.e. seismicity). The shale-gas industry is one such industry. It is also new to the UK and so specific environmental regulation and other controls have been introduced only recently. Associated with this is a need to carry out monitoring to demonstrate that the management measures to minimise the risk to the environment are being effective. While much of the monitoring required is common to other industries and potentially polluting activities, there are a number of requirements specific to shale gas and to what is a new and undeveloped industry. This report presents recommendations for environmental monitoring associated with shale-gas activities and in particular the monitoring required to inform risk assessment and establish the pre-existing environmental conditions at a site and surrounding area. This baseline monitoring is essential to provide robust data and criteria for detecting any future adverse environmental changes caused by the shale-gas operations. Monitoring is therefore required throughout the lifecycle of a shale gas operation. During this lifecycle, the objectives of the monitoring will change, from baseline characterisation to operational and post-operational monitoring. Monitoring requirements will also change. This report focusses on good practice in baseline monitoring and places it in the context of the longer-term environmental monitoring programme, recognising the need to transition from the baseline condition and to establish criteria for detecting any changes within the regulatory framework. The core suite of environmental monitoring activities currently required to support regulatory compliance, i.e. meet environmental and other permit conditions, encompasses monitoring of seismicity, water quality (groundwater an

Published
2020

18. Environmental monitoring : phase 4 final report (April 2018 - March 2019)

Author

Ward, R.S., Smedley, P.L., Allen, G., Baptie, B.J., Barkwith, A.K.A.P., Bateson, L., Bell, R.A., Bowes, M., Coleman, M., Cremen, G., Daraktchieva, Z., Gong, M., Howarth, C.H., Fisher, R., Hawthorn, D., Jones, D.G., Jordan, C., Lanoiselle, M., Lewis, A.C., Lister, T.R., Lowry, D., Luckett, R., Mallin-Martin, D., Marchant, B.P., Miller, C.A., Milne, C.J., Novellino, A., Pitt, J., Purvis, R.M., Rivett, M.O., Shaw, J., Taylor-Curran, H., Wasikiewicz, J.M., Werner, M., Wilde, S., Ward, R.S., Smedley, P.L., Allen, G., Baptie, B.J., Barkwith, A.K.A.P., Bateson, L., Bell, R.A., Bowes, M., Coleman, M., Cremen, G., Daraktchieva, Z., Gong, M., Howarth, C.H., Fisher, R., Hawthorn, D., Jones, D.G., Jordan, C., Lanoiselle, M., Lewis, A.C., Lister, T.R., Lowry, D., Luckett, R., Mallin-Martin, D., Marchant, B.P., Miller, C.A., Milne, C.J., Novellino, A., Pitt, J., Purvis, R.M., Rivett, M.O., Shaw, J., Taylor-Curran, H., Wasikiewicz, J.M., Werner, M., and Wilde, S.

Abstract

This report describes the results of activities carried out as part of the Environmental Monitoring Project (EMP) led by the British Geological Survey (BGS) in areas around two shale gas sites in England – Kirby Misperton (Vale of Pickering, North Yorkshire) and Preston New Road (Fylde, Lancashire). It focuses on the monitoring undertaken during the period April 2018–March 2019 but also considers this in the context of earlier monitoring results that have been covered in reports for earlier phases of the project (Phases I–IV) 2 . The EMP project is a multi-partner project involving BGS together with Public Health England (PHE), University of Birmingham, University of Bristol, University of Manchester, Royal Holloway University of London (RHUL) and University of York. The work has been enabled by funding from a combination of the BGS National Capability programme, a grant awarded by the UK Government’s Department for Business Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and additional benefit-in-kind contributions from all partners. The project comprises the comprehensive monitoring of different environment compartments and properties at and around the two shale-gas sites. The component parts of the EMP are all of significance when considering environmental and human health risks associated with shale gas development. Included are seismicity, ground motion, water (groundwater and surface water), soil gas, greenhouse gases, air quality, and radon. The monitoring started before hydraulic fracturing had taken place at the two locations, and so the results obtained before the initiation of operations at the shale-gas sites represent baseline conditions. It is important to characterise adequately the baseline conditions so that any future changes caused by shale gas operations, including hydraulic fracturing, can be identified. This is also the case for any other new activities that may impact those compartments of the environment being monitored as part of the project. In the per

Published
2019

19. Environmental baseline monitoring : Phase III final report (2017-2018)

Author

Ward, R.S., Smedley, P.L., Allen, G., Baptie, B.J., Cave, M.R., Daraktchieva, Z., Fisher, R., Hawthorn, D., Jones, D.G., Lewis, A., Lowry, D., Luckett, R., Marchant, B.P., Purvis, R.M., Wilde, S., Ward, R.S., Smedley, P.L., Allen, G., Baptie, B.J., Cave, M.R., Daraktchieva, Z., Fisher, R., Hawthorn, D., Jones, D.G., Lewis, A., Lowry, D., Luckett, R., Marchant, B.P., Purvis, R.M., and Wilde, S.

Abstract

High-quality environmental baseline monitoring data are being collected in areas around two proposed shale gas sites near Kirby Misperton, North Yorkshire and Little Plumpton Lancashire. Monitoring has now been on-going for over two years and has produced an internationally unique data set that will allow any future changes that arise from industrial activities at either or both shale gas sites to be detected and characterised, as well as providing a significant resource for future research. The monitoring includes: water quality, air quality, seismicity, ground motion, soil gas and radon in air. This report presents the results of monitoring in the Vale of Pickering, within which the Kirby Misperton shale gas site (KM8) is located, for the period April 2017–March 2018. It also includes the results of atmospheric composition measurements made near the Little Plumpton (Preston New Road) site. Earlier results and other monitoring in Lancashire are reported elsewhere and can be accessed from the British Geological Survey’s website1. As well as providing valuable insight into the importance of establishing robust information on the conditions before shale gas operations start, it also highlights the challenges in establishing effective monitoring and producing reliable results. For groundwater, this includes the importance of: developing and flushing newly installed boreholes; the spatial variation in water quality and; the selection of monitoring and measuring techniques. Having two years of data has allowed comparison between years. The preliminary analysis reported here has shown that sample populations were not significantly different between the two years. This is directly relevant to the duration of monitoring required by legislation, with the evidence supporting a baseline monitoring period of at least 12 months before any site operations start. The seismic monitoring network installed for measuring background seismicity has operated successfully throughout the r

Published
2018

20. Preliminary assessment of the environmental baseline in the Fylde, Lancashire

Author

Ward, R.S., Allen, G., Baptie, B.J., Bateson, L., Bell, R.A., Butcher, A.S., Daraktchieva, Z., Dunmore, R., Fisher, R.E., Horleston, A., Howarth, C.H., Jones, D.G., Jordan, C.J., Kendall, M., Lewis, A., Lowry, D., Miller, C.A., Milne, C.J., Novellino, A., Pitt, J., Purvis, R.M., Smedley, P.L., Wasikiewicz, J.M., Ward, R.S., Allen, G., Baptie, B.J., Bateson, L., Bell, R.A., Butcher, A.S., Daraktchieva, Z., Dunmore, R., Fisher, R.E., Horleston, A., Howarth, C.H., Jones, D.G., Jordan, C.J., Kendall, M., Lewis, A., Lowry, D., Miller, C.A., Milne, C.J., Novellino, A., Pitt, J., Purvis, R.M., Smedley, P.L., and Wasikiewicz, J.M.

Abstract

This report presents the collated preliminary results from the British Geological Survey (BGS) led project Science-based environmental baseline monitoring associated with shale gas development in the Fylde, Lancashire. The project has been funded by a combination of BGS National Capability funding, in-kind contributions from project partners and a grant awarded by the Department of Business Energy and Investment Strategy (BEIS). It complements an on-going project, in which similar activities are being carried out, in the Vale of Pickering, North Yorkshire. Further information on the projects can be found on the BGS website: www.bgs.ac.uk. The project has initiated a wide-ranging environmental baseline monitoring programme that includes water quality (groundwater and surface water), seismicity, ground motion, atmospheric composition (greenhouse gases and air quality), soil gas and radon in air (indoors and outdoors). The motivation behind the project(s) was to establish independent monitoring in the area around the proposed shale gas hydraulic fracturing sites in the Fylde, Lancashire (Cuadrilla Resources Ltd) before any shale gas operations take place. As part of the project, instrumentation has been deployed to measure, in real-time or near real-time, a range of environmental variables (water quality, seismicity, atmospheric composition). These data are being displayed on the project’s web site (www.bgs.ac.uk/lancashire). Additional survey, sampling and monitoring has also been carried out through a co-ordinated programme of fieldwork and laboratory analysis, which has included installation of new monitoring infrastructure, to allow compilation of one of the most comprehensive environmental datasets in the UK. The monitoring programme is continuing. However, there are already some very important findings emerging from the limited datasets which should be taken into account when developing future monitoring strategy, policy and regulation. The information is not onl

Published
2018

21. Environmental Baseline Monitoring Project. Phase II, final report

Author

Ward, R.S., Smedley, P.L., Allen, G., Baptie, B.J., Daraktchieva, Z., Horleston, A., Jones, D.G., Jordan, C.J., Lewis, A., Lowry, D., Purvis, R.M., Rivett, M.O., Ward, R.S., Smedley, P.L., Allen, G., Baptie, B.J., Daraktchieva, Z., Horleston, A., Jones, D.G., Jordan, C.J., Lewis, A., Lowry, D., Purvis, R.M., and Rivett, M.O.

Abstract

This report is submitted in compliance with the conditions set out in the grant awarded to the British Geological Survey (BGS), for the period April 2016 – March 2017, to support the jointly-funded project "Science-based environmental baseline monitoring". It presents the results of monitoring and/or measurement and preliminary interpretation of these data to characterise the baseline environmental conditions in the Vale of Pickering, North Yorkshire and for air quality, the Fylde in Lancashire ahead of any shale gas development. The two areas where the monitoring is taking place have seen, during the project, planning applications approved for the exploration for shale gas and hydraulic fracturing. It is widely recognised that there is a need for good environmental baseline data and establishment of effective monitoring protocols ahead of any shale gas/oil development. This monitoring will enable future changes that may occur as a result of industrial activity to be identified and differentiated from other natural and man-made changes that are influencing the baseline. Continued monitoring will then enable any deviations from the baseline, should they occur, to be identified and investigated independently to determine the possible causes, sources and significance to the environment and public health. The absence of such data in the United States has undermined public confidence, led to major controversy and inability to identify and effectively deal with impact/contamination where it has occurred. A key aim of this work is to avoid a similar situation and the independent monitoring being carried out as part of this project provides an opportunity to develop robust environmental baseline for the two study areas and monitoring procedures, and share experience that is applicable to the wider UK situation. This work is internationally unique and comprises an inter-disciplinary researcher-led programme that is developing, testing and implementing monitoring methodologie

Published
2017

24. Measurement of the double-β decay half-life of 150Nd and search for neutrinoless decay modes with the NEMO-3 detector

Author

Argyriades, J., Arnold, R., Augier, C., Baker, J., Barabash, A.S., Basharina-Freshville, A., Bongrand, M., Broudin, G., Brudanin, V., Caffrey, A.J., Chauveau, E., Daraktchieva, Z., Durand, D., Egorov, V., Fatemi-Ghomi, N., Flack, R., Hubert, Ph., Jerie, J., Jullian, Sophie, Kauer, M., King, S., Klimenko, A., Kochetov, O., Konovalov, S.I., Kovalenko, V., Lalanne, D., Lamhamdi, T., Lang, K., Lemière, Y., Longuemare, C., Lutter, G., Marquet, Ch., Martin-Albo, J., Mauger, F., Nachab, A., Nasteva, I., Nemchenok, I., Nova, F., Novella, P., Ohsumi, H., Pahlka, R.B., Perrot, F., Piquemal, F., Reyss, J.L., Ricol, J.S., Saakyan, R., Sarazin, X., Simard, L., Simkovic, F., Shitov, Yu., Smolnikov, A., Snow, S., Soldner-Rembold, S., Stekl, I., Suhonen, J., Sutton, C.S., Szklarz, G., Thomas, J., Timkin, V., Tretyak, V., Umatov, V., Vala, L., Vanyushin, I., Vasiliev, V., Vorobel, V., Vylov, Ts., Laboratoire de l'Accélérateur Linéaire (LAL), Université Paris-Sud - Paris 11 (UP11)-Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules du CNRS (IN2P3)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut Pluridisciplinaire Hubert Curien (IPHC), Université Louis Pasteur - Strasbourg I-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut de Physique Nucléaire de Lyon (IPNL), Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 (UCBL), Université de Lyon-Université de Lyon-Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules du CNRS (IN2P3)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Centre d'Etudes Nucléaires de Bordeaux Gradignan (CENBG), Université Sciences et Technologies - Bordeaux 1 (UB)-Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules du CNRS (IN2P3)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Laboratoire de physique corpusculaire de Caen (LPCC), Université de Caen Normandie (UNICAEN), Normandie Université (NU)-Normandie Université (NU)-École Nationale Supérieure d'Ingénieurs de Caen (ENSICAEN), Normandie Université (NU)-Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules du CNRS (IN2P3)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l'Environnement [Gif-sur-Yvette] (LSCE), Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ)-Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Paris-Saclay-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Océan et Interfaces (OCEANIS), Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ)-Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Paris-Saclay-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ)-Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Paris-Saclay-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), NEMO, Université Sciences et Technologies - Bordeaux 1-Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules du CNRS (IN2P3)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université Paris-Saclay-Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules du CNRS (IN2P3)-Université Paris-Sud - Paris 11 (UP11), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 (UCBL), Université de Lyon-Université de Lyon-Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules du CNRS (IN2P3), Normandie Université (NU)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules du CNRS (IN2P3), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Paris-Saclay-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ), and Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Paris-Saclay-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Paris-Saclay-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ)

Subjects
23.40.−s, 14.60.Pq, 21.10.Tg, 27.70.+q, [PHYS.NEXP]Physics [physics]/Nuclear Experiment [nucl-ex]
Abstract

The half-life for double-β decay of 150Nd has been measured by the NEMO-3 experiment at the Modane Underground Laboratory. Using 924.7 days of data recorded with 36.55 g of 150Nd, we measured the half-life for 2νββ decay to be T 2ν 1/2 = (9.11+0.25 −0.22(stat.) ± 0.63(syst.)) × 1018 yr. The observed limit on the half-life for neutrinoless double-β decay is found to be T 0ν 1/2 > 1.8 × 1022 yr at 90% confidence level. This translates into a limit on the effective Majorana neutrino mass of (mν ) < 4.0-6.3 eV if the nuclear deformation is taken into account. We also set limits on models involving Majoron emission, right-handed currents, and transitions to excited states.

Published
2009

25. Measurement of the two neutrino double beta decay half-life of Zr-96 and search for associated neutrinoless processes with the NEMO-3 detector

Author

Argyriades, J., Arnold, R., Augier, C., Baker, J., Barabash, A. S., Basharina-Freshville, A., Bongrand, M., Broudin-Bay, G., Brudanin, V., Caffrey, A. J., Chapon, A., Chauveau, E., Daraktchieva, Z., Durand, D., Egorov, V., Fatemi-Ghomi, N., Flack, R., Guillon, B., Hubert, Ph., Jullian, Sophie, Kauer, M., King, S., Klimenko, A., Kochetov, O., Konovalov, S. I., Kovalenko, V., Lalanne, D., Lamhamdi, T., Lang, K., Lemière, Y., Longuemare, C., Lutter, G., Mamedov, F., Marquet, Ch., Martin-Albo, J., Mauger, F., Nachab, A., Nasteva, I., Nemchenok, I., Nguyen, C. H., Nova, F., Novella, P., Ohsumi, H., Pahlka, R. B., Perrot, F., Piquemal, F., Reyss, J. L., Ricol, J. S., Saakyan, R., Sarazin, X., Shitov, Yu., Simard, L., Simkovic, F., Smolnikov, A., Snow, S., Soldner-Rembold, S., Stekl, I., Sutton, C. S., Szklarz, G., Thomas, J., Timkin, V., Tretyak, V. I., Umatov, V., Vala, L., Vanyushin, I., Vasiliev, V., Vorobel, V., Vylov, Ts., Laboratoire de l'Accélérateur Linéaire (LAL), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules du CNRS (IN2P3)-Université Paris-Sud - Paris 11 (UP11), Département Recherches Subatomiques (DRS-IPHC), Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules du CNRS (IN2P3)-Université Louis Pasteur - Strasbourg I-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Laboratoire de physique corpusculaire de Caen (LPCC), Université de Caen Normandie (UNICAEN), Normandie Université (NU)-Normandie Université (NU)-École Nationale Supérieure d'Ingénieurs de Caen (ENSICAEN), Normandie Université (NU)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules du CNRS (IN2P3), Centre d'Etudes Nucléaires de Bordeaux Gradignan (CENBG), Université Sciences et Technologies - Bordeaux 1-Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules du CNRS (IN2P3)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l'Environnement [Gif-sur-Yvette] (LSCE), Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Paris-Saclay-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ), NEMO, Université Paris-Sud - Paris 11 (UP11)-Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules du CNRS (IN2P3)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Normandie Université (NU)-Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules du CNRS (IN2P3)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université Paris-Saclay-Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Université Sciences et Technologies - Bordeaux 1 (UB)-Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules du CNRS (IN2P3)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), and Université de Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ)-Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Institut national des sciences de l'Univers (INSU - CNRS)-Université Paris-Saclay-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)

Subjects
[PHYS.NEXP]Physics [physics]/Nuclear Experiment [nucl-ex]
Abstract

Submittted to Nucl.Phys.A (11 pages, 11 figures); Using 1221 days of data from the NEMO-3 detector, the measurement of Zr-96 2vbb decay half-life is [2.35 +/- 0.14(stat) +/- 0.19(syst)] x 10^19 yr. Different characteristics of the final state electrons have been studied, such as the energy sum, individual electron energy, and angular distribution. The 2v nuclear matrix element is extracted using the measured 2vbb half-life and is 0.049 +/- 0.003. A 90% CL limit is set on the 0vbb decay half-life of > 9.2 x 10^21 yr corresponding to a limit on the effective Majorana neutrino mass < 7.2 - 19.5 eV. Limits on other mechanisms of 0vbb decay have also been set.

Published
2009

26. Measurement of the double-beta decay half-life on Nd-150 and search for neutrinoless decay modes with the NEMO-3 detector

Author

Argyriades, J., Arnold, R., Augier, C., Baker, J., Barabash, A. S., Basharina-Freshville, A., Bongrand, M., Broudin, G., Caffrey, A. J., Chauveau, E., Daraktchieva, Z., Durand, D., Egorov, V. G., Fatemi-Ghomi, N., Flack, Robert L., Hubert, P., Jerie, J., Jullian, S., Kauer, M., King, S., Klimenko, A., Kochetov, O. I., Konovalov, S. I., Kovalenko, V. E., Lalanne, D., Lamhamdi, T., Lang, K., Lemiere, Y., Longuemare, C., Lutter, G., Marquet, C., Martín-Albo, Justo, Mauger, F., Nachab, A., Nasteva, I., Nemchenok, I. B., Nova, F., Novella, Pau, Oshumi, H., Pahlka, R. B., Perrot, F., Piquemal, F., Reyss, J. L., Ricol, J. S., Saakyan, R., Sarazin, X., Simard, L., Simkovic, F., Shitov, Y. A., Smolnikov, A., Snow, S., Soldner-Rembold, S., Stekl, I., Suhonen, J., Sutton, C. S., Szklarz, G., Thomas, J., Timkin, V. V., Tretyak, V. I., Umatov, V., Vala, L., Vanyushin, I. A., Vasiliev, V. A., Vorobel, V., Vylov, T., and NEMO Collaboration

Abstract

The half-life for double-beta decay of Nd-150 has been measured by the NEMO-3 experiment at the Modane Underground Laboratory. Using 924.7 days of data recorded with 36.55 g of Nd-150, we measured the half-life for 2 nu beta beta decay to be T-1/2(2 nu) = (9.11(-0.22)(+0.25)(stat.) +/- 0.63(syst.)) x 10(18) yr. The observed limit on the half-life for neutrinoless double-beta decay is found to be T-1/2(0 nu) > 1.8 x 10(22) yr at 90% confidence level. This translates into a limit on the effective Majorana neutrino mass of < m(nu)> < 4.0-6.3 eV if the nuclear deformation is taken into account. We also set limits on models involving Majoron emission, right-handed currents, and transitions to excited states., We thank the staff at the Modane Underground Laboratory for its technical assistance in running the experiment,Vladimir Tretyak for providing the Monte Carlo event generator, and Wade Fisher for helping with the limit-setting program. We acknowledge support by the grants agencies of the Czech Republic, RFBR (Russia), STFC (UK), and NSF (USA).

Published
2009

27. NEW CORRECTION FACTORS BASED ON SEASONAL VARIABILITY OF OUTDOOR TEMPERATURE FOR ESTIMATING ANNUAL RADON CONCENTRATIONS IN UK.

Author

Daraktchieva, Z.

Subjects
ATMOSPHERIC radon, AIR pressure, SOIL air, ATMOSPHERIC temperature, DWELLINGS
Abstract

Indoor radon concentrations generally vary with season. Radon gas enters buildings from beneath due to a small air pressure difference between the inside of a house and outdoors. This underpressure which draws soil gas including radon into the house depends on the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures. The variation in a typical house in UK showed that the mean indoor radon concentration reaches a maximum in January and a minimum in July. Sine functions were used to model the indoor radon data and monthly average outdoor temperatures, covering the period between 2005 and 2014. The analysis showed a strong negative correlation between the modelled indoor radon data and outdoor temperature. This correlation was used to calculate new correction factors that could be used for estimation of annual radon concentration in UK homes. The comparison between the results obtained with the new correction factors and the previously published correction factors showed that the new correction factors perform consistently better on the selected data sets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2017
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29. Measurement of the double-βdecay half-life ofNd150and search for neutrinoless decay modes with the NEMO-3 detector

Author

Argyriades, J., primary, Arnold, R., additional, Augier, C., additional, Baker, J., additional, Barabash, A. S., additional, Basharina-Freshville, A., additional, Bongrand, M., additional, Broudin, G., additional, Brudanin, V., additional, Caffrey, A. J., additional, Chauveau, E., additional, Daraktchieva, Z., additional, Durand, D., additional, Egorov, V., additional, Fatemi-Ghomi, N., additional, Flack, R., additional, Hubert, Ph., additional, Jerie, J., additional, Jullian, S., additional, Kauer, M., additional, King, S., additional, Klimenko, A., additional, Kochetov, O., additional, Konovalov, S. I., additional, Kovalenko, V., additional, Lalanne, D., additional, Lamhamdi, T., additional, Lang, K., additional, Lemière, Y., additional, Longuemare, C., additional, Lutter, G., additional, Marquet, Ch., additional, Martin-Albo, J., additional, Mauger, F., additional, Nachab, A., additional, Nasteva, I., additional, Nemchenok, I., additional, Nova, F., additional, Novella, P., additional, Ohsumi, H., additional, Pahlka, R. B., additional, Perrot, F., additional, Piquemal, F., additional, Reyss, J. L., additional, Ricol, J. S., additional, Saakyan, R., additional, Sarazin, X., additional, Simard, L., additional, Šimkovic, F., additional, Shitov, Yu., additional, Smolnikov, A., additional, Snow, S., additional, Söldner-Rembold, S., additional, Štekl, I., additional, Suhonen, J., additional, Sutton, C. S., additional, Szklarz, G., additional, Thomas, J., additional, Timkin, V., additional, Tretyak, V., additional, Umatov, V., additional, Vála, L., additional, Vanyushin, I., additional, Vasiliev, V., additional, Vorobel, V., additional, and Vylov, Ts., additional

Published
2009
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30. Final results on the neutrino magnetic moment from the MUNU experiment

Author

Daraktchieva, Z., primary, Amsler, C., additional, Avenier, M., additional, Broggini, C., additional, Busto, J., additional, Cerna, C., additional, Juget, F., additional, Koang, D.H., additional, Lamblin, J., additional, Lebrun, D., additional, Link, O., additional, Puglierin, G., additional, Stutz, A., additional, Tadsen, A., additional, Vuilleumier, J.-L., additional, and Zacek, V., additional

Published
2005
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31. Limits on the neutrino magnetic moment from the MUNU experiment

Author

Daraktchieva, Z, primary, Lamblin, J, additional, Link, O, additional, Amsler, C, additional, Avenier, M, additional, Broggini, C, additional, Busto, J, additional, Cerna, C, additional, Gervasio, G, additional, Jeanneret, P, additional, Jonkmans, G, additional, Koang, D.H, additional, Lebrun, D, additional, Ould-Saada, F, additional, Puglierin, G, additional, Stutz, A, additional, Tadsen, A, additional, and Vuilleumier, J.-L, additional

Published
2003
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32. A new measurement of the elastic cross section at very low energy

Author

Amsler, C, primary, Avenier, M, additional, Broggini, C, additional, Busto, J, additional, Cerna, C, additional, Daraktchieva, Z, additional, Gervasio, G, additional, Jeanneret, P, additional, Jonkmans, G, additional, Koang, D.H, additional, Lamblin, J, additional, Lebrun, D, additional, Link, O, additional, Ould-Saada, F, additional, Puglierin, G, additional, Stutz, A, additional, Tadsen, A, additional, and Vuilleumier, J.L, additional

Published
2002
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35. A new measurment of the $\bar\nu_{e}e^{-}$ elastic cross section at very low energy

Author

Amsler, C., Avenier, M., Broggini, C., Busto, J., Cerna, C., Daraktchieva, Z., Gervasio, G., Jeanneret, P., Jonkmans, G., Koang, D. H., Jacob Lamblin, Lebrun, D., Link, O., Ould-Saada, F., Puglierin, G., Stutz, A., Tadsen, A., Vuilleumier, J. L., Laboratoire de Physique Subatomique et de Cosmologie (LPSC), Institut polytechnique de Grenoble - Grenoble Institute of Technology (Grenoble INP )-Institut Polytechnique de Grenoble - Grenoble Institute of Technology-Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules du CNRS (IN2P3)-Université Joseph Fourier - Grenoble 1 (UJF)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), and MUNU

Subjects
Physics::Instrumentation and Detectors, [PHYS.HEXP]Physics [physics]/High Energy Physics - Experiment [hep-ex]
Abstract

We have built a low background detector, a time projection chamber surrounded by an active anti-Compton, to measure the ν e e − elastic cross section down to the antineutrino energy of 900 keV. With our detector, running at 18 m from the core of a nuclear reactor in Bugey, we could detect reactor antineutrinos by measuring both the energy and the direction of the recoiling electrons. We report here on a first analysis of the data using an automatic scanning procedure. The results we obtain are 1.5 σ higher than the ones predicted by the standard model. (Elsevier)

36. A new measurement of the <f><ovl type="bar" STYLE="S">ν</ovl>ee−</f> elastic cross section at very low energy

Author

Amsler, C., Avenier, M., Broggini, C., Busto, J., Cerna, C., Daraktchieva, Z., Gervasio, G., Jeanneret, P., Jonkmans, G., Koang, D.H., Lamblin, J., Lebrun, D., Link, O., Ould-Saada, F., Puglierin, G., Stutz, A., Tadsen, A., and Vuilleumier, J.L.

Subjects
*NEUTRINOS, *ELECTRON scattering
Abstract

We have built a low background detector, a time projection chamber surrounded by an active anti-Compton, to measure the νee− elastic cross section down to the antineutrino energy of 900 keV. With our detector, running at 18 m from the core of a nuclear reactor in Bugey, we could detect reactor antineutrinos by measuring both the energy and the direction of the recoiling electrons. We report here on a first analysis of the data using an automatic scanning procedure. The results we obtain are 1.5σ higher than the ones predicted by the standard model. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Published
2002
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37. Low energy tracking and particles identification in the MUNU Time Projection Chamber at 1 bar: possible application in low energy solar neutrino spectroscopy

Author

F. Juget, M. Avenier, Claude Amsler, J.-L. Vuilleumier, A. Tadsen, C. Broggini, G. Puglierin, D.H. Koang, V. Zacek, J. M. Vuilleumier, O. Link, C. Cerna, J. Lamblin, Z. Daraktchieva, D. Lebrun, A. Stutz, J. Busto, Laboratoire de Physique Subatomique et de Cosmologie (LPSC), Université Joseph Fourier - Grenoble 1 (UJF)-Institut polytechnique de Grenoble - Grenoble Institute of Technology (Grenoble INP )-Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules du CNRS (IN2P3)-Institut Polytechnique de Grenoble - Grenoble Institute of Technology-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), MUNU, University of Zurich, and Daraktchieva, Z

Subjects
Nuclear and High Energy Physics, Particle physics, 530 Physics, Physics::Instrumentation and Detectors, Solar neutrino, Astrophysics::High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena, FOS: Physical sciences, Electron, 10192 Physics Institute, Tracking (particle physics), 01 natural sciences, 7. Clean energy, neutrino-electron scattering, High Energy Physics - Experiment, Nuclear physics, Single electron, High Energy Physics - Experiment (hep-ex), Low energy, 0103 physical sciences, [PHYS.HEXP]Physics [physics]/High Energy Physics - Experiment [hep-ex], 3106 Nuclear and High Energy Physics, 010306 general physics, Spectroscopy, Physics, CF4 scintillation, Gas TPC, Time projection chamber, 010308 nuclear & particles physics, Compton scattering, Energy (signal processing)
Abstract

In this paper we present the results from the measurements made with the MUNU TPC at 1bar pressure of CF4 in the energy region below 1 MeV. Electron events down to 80 keV are successfully measured. The electron energy and direction are reconstructed for every contained single electron above 200 keV. As test the 137Cs photopeak is reconstructed by measuring both the energy and direction of the Compton electrons in the TPC., Comment: 19 pages, 9 figures (6 figures in color); Figure 10 has been deleted from [v1]. Additional paragraph has been included; Manuscript is submitted to Nuclear Inst. and Methods in Physics Research, A

Published
2008

38. Long-term comparison and performance study of consumer grade electronic radon integrating monitors.

Author

Daraktchieva Z, Howarth CB, Wasikiewicz JM, Miller CA, and Wright DA

Subjects
Air Pollution, Indoor analysis, Equipment Design, Humans, Radon analysis, Radiation Monitoring instrumentation, Air Pollutants, Radioactive analysis
Abstract

This study reports the performance of 7 types of consumer grade passive Electronic Radon Integrating Monitors, ERIM (AlphaE, AER Plus, Canary, Corentium Pro, Radon Scout Home, Ramon and Wave) and passive etched track radon detectors. All monitors and passive radon detectors were exposed side by side for 2 periods of 3 months under controlled conditions in the UKHSA radon chamber and in a stainless steel container to an average radon concentration of 4781 Bq m -3 and 166 Bq m -3 , respectively. The performance of each individual monitor was compared with Atmos 12DPX and AlphaGUARD P30 reference instruments. The performance of the monitors was evaluated by estimating the biased, precision and measurement errors of each type. It was found that UKHSA passive radon detectors showed excellent performance (measurement error < 10%) at both higher and lower exposures. The AlphaE, Canary and Ramon showed excellent performance, with measurement error <10%, when they were exposed to radon concentrations between 4000 Bq m -3 and 6000 Bq m -3 in the UKHSA radon chamber. However, when the monitors were exposed to radon levels below the UK radon Action Level of 200 Bq m -3 , the only ERIM which had a measurement error <10% was the Radon Scout Home. All other monitors showed a significant decrease in their performance with measurement errors ranging between 20% and 50%. The calibration factor, which is the ratio between the measured value (background is subtracted) and the reference value, was also studied. It was found that the calibration factors of individual monitors changed significantly. Calibration measurements in 2019 and in 2023 found that the percentage change varied between -46% and +63%. This shows the importance of initial and regular calibration, and maintenance of the monitors., (Creative Commons Attribution license.)

Published
2024
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39. Study of baseline radon levels in the context of a shale gas development.

Author

Daraktchieva Z, Wasikiewicz JM, Howarth CB, and Miller CA

Abstract

This study reports the results from continuous measurement of indoor and outdoor radon concentrations in the area surrounding an unconventional shale gas exploration site in North Yorkshire, England, prior to the commencement of hydraulic fracturing. Public Health England has monitored the baseline radon levels in homes and in outdoor air in the Vale of Pickering since 2015. The statistical analysis presented here includes three full years (November 2015- -December 2018) of indoor and four and half years (October 2015 - April 2019) of outdoor radon measurements. Stratified sampling was used to select 171 dwellings in four areas, with two different radon potential. Statistical analysis confirms that homes in Kirby Misperton and Little Barugh and those in Yedingham are situated in areas with low radon potential, as was predicted by the UK radon potential map. On the other hand, both Pickering and Malton are confirmed as radon Affected Areas. Radon was measured continuously in the outdoor air using a newly developed outdoor kit containing passive radon detectors. The monitoring points were set up at 36 locations in the same local areas as those selected for the indoor monitoring. The results from statistical analysis show that outdoor radon had a different seasonality pattern to indoor radon. The monitoring of outdoor radon levels over the four and half years indicates a year-to-year variation in outdoor radon concentrations with levels fluctuating between 3 and 9 Bq m -3 . There was a very good agreement between long-term average radon concentrations measured using passive detectors and using an active AlphaGUARD monitor., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Crown Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Published
2021
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40. Home energy efficiency and radon: An observational study.

Author

Symonds P, Rees D, Daraktchieva Z, McColl N, Bradley J, Hamilton I, and Davies M

Subjects
Databases, Factual, Environmental Monitoring methods, Humans, United Kingdom, Ventilation, Air Pollutants, Radioactive analysis, Air Pollution, Indoor analysis, Housing, Radon analysis
Abstract

Exposure to radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer worldwide behind smoking. Changing the energy characteristics of a dwelling can influence both its thermal and ventilative properties, which can affect indoor air quality. This study uses radon measurements made in 470 689 UK homes between 1980 and 2015, linked to dwelling information contained within the Home Energy Efficiency Database (HEED). The linked dataset, the largest of its kind, was used to analyze the association of housing and energy performance characteristics with indoor radon concentrations in the UK. The findings show that energy efficiency measures that increase the airtightness of properties are observed to have an adverse association with indoor radon levels. Homes with double glazing installed had radon measurements with a significantly higher geometric mean, 67% (95% CI: 44, 89) greater than those without a recorded fabric retrofit. Those with loft insulation (47%, 95% CI: 26, 69) and wall insulation (32%, 95% CI: 11, 53) were also found to have higher radon readings. Improving the energy performance of the UK's housing stock is vital in meeting carbon emission reduction targets. However, compromising indoor air quality must be avoided through careful assessment and implementation practices., (© 2019 The Authors. Indoor Air published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Published
2019
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41. Indoor radon measurements in south west England explained by topsoil and stream sediment geochemistry, airborne gamma-ray spectroscopy and geology.

Author

Ferreira A, Daraktchieva Z, Beamish D, Kirkwood C, Lister TR, Cave M, Wragg J, and Lee K

Subjects
Air Pollution, Radioactive statistics & numerical data, England, Gamma Rays, Geology, Spectrometry, Gamma, Air Pollutants, Radioactive analysis, Air Pollution, Indoor analysis, Radiation Monitoring, Radon analysis
Abstract

Predictive mapping of indoor radon potential often requires the use of additional datasets. A range of geological, geochemical and geophysical data may be considered, either individually or in combination. The present work is an evaluation of how much of the indoor radon variation in south west England can be explained by four different datasets: a) the geology (G), b) the airborne gamma-ray spectroscopy (AGR), c) the geochemistry of topsoil (TSG) and d) the geochemistry of stream sediments (SSG). The study area was chosen since it provides a large (197,464) indoor radon dataset in association with the above information. Geology provides information on the distribution of the materials that may contribute to radon release while the latter three items provide more direct observations on the distributions of the radionuclide elements uranium (U), thorium (Th) and potassium (K). In addition, (c) and (d) provide multi-element assessments of geochemistry which are also included in this study. The effectiveness of datasets for predicting the existing indoor radon data is assessed through the level (the higher the better) of explained variation (% of variance or ANOVA) obtained from the tested models. A multiple linear regression using a compositional data (CODA) approach is carried out to obtain the required measure of determination for each analysis. Results show that, amongst the four tested datasets, the soil geochemistry (TSG, i.e. including all the available 41 elements, 10 major - Al, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, Si, Ti - plus 31 trace) provides the highest explained variation of indoor radon (about 40%); more than double the value provided by U alone (ca. 15%), or the sub composition U, Th, K (ca. 16%) from the same TSG data. The remaining three datasets provide values ranging from about 27% to 32.5%. The enhanced prediction of the AGR model relative to the U, Th, K in soils suggests that the AGR signal captures more than just the U, Th and K content in the soil. The best result is obtained by including the soil geochemistry with geology and AGR (TSG + G + AGR, ca. 47%). However, adding G and AGR to the TSG model only slightly improves the prediction (ca. +7%), suggesting that the geochemistry of soils already contain most of the information given by geology and airborne datasets together, at least with regard to the explanation of indoor radon. From the present analysis performed in the SW of England, it may be concluded that each one of the four datasets is likely to be useful for radon mapping purposes, whether alone or in combination with others. The present work also suggest that the complete soil geochemistry dataset (TSG) is more effective for indoor radon modelling than using just the U (+Th, K) concentration in soil., (Copyright © 2016 Natural Environment Research Council. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Published
2018
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