Environmental Alpha Radiation from the Soil at a Prehispanic Ancient Sacred Site in Lima, Perú
			
	
 
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				1
				Vicerrectorado de Investigación, Universidad Autónoma del Perú, Lima 15842, Perú
				 
			 
						
				2
				Departamento de Ciencias, Seccion Física, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú
				 
			 
						
				3
				Dirección de Gestión Académica, Universidad Tecnológica del Perú, Lima 15419, Perú
				 
			 
						
				4
				Laboratorio de Física Nuclear, Universidad Simón Bolívar, Caracas 1080 A, Venezuela
				 
			 
						
				5
				Alba Regia Technical Faculty, Óbuda University, 8000 Szekesfehervar, Hungary
				 
			 
										
				
				
		
		 
			
			
		
		
		
		
		
		
	
							
					    		
    			 
    			
    				    					Corresponding author
    					    				    				
    					Félix  Díaz   
    					Vicerrectorado de Investigación, Universidad Autónoma del Perú, Lima 15842, Perú
    				
 
    			
				 
    			 
    		 		
			
																																										 
		
	 
		
 
 
Ecol. Eng. Environ. Technol. 2023; 9:291-299
		
 
 
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ABSTRACT
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-39TM 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/m^3). 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.