(222)Rn and its relation with meteorological conditions and gaseous pollutants in the outdoor environment of Qena City South of Egypt

In the outdoor environment of Qena city, located in southern Egypt, (222)Rn concentrations were continuously measured from January 2015 to December 2015 using Alpha-Guard radon monitor, PQ 2000 PRO. Meteorological parameters (air temperature AT, relative humidity RH, and evaporation rate EV) and gaseous pollutants [ozone O(3), nitrogen oxide NO(x), and particulate matter that has a diameter of less than 10 µm (PM(10))] data for the same period were collected from the meteorological station. This work aims to study the potential relationships between (222)Rn and each of the meteorological parameters and gaseous pollutants. According to observational data, the yearly average concentrations of (222)Rn were 19.35 ± 1.58 Bq/m(3), 31.68 ± 1.97 µg/m(3) for O(3), 9.97 ± 2.27 µg/m(3) for NO(x), and 109.95 ± 6.48 µg/m(3) for PM(10). The concentration of (222)Rn is positively correlated with relative humidity, nitrogen oxide, and particulate matter, whereas it is negatively correlated with air temperature, evaporation rate, and ozone. Descriptive statistical analysis revealed various distribution patterns for (222)Rn, meteorological parameters, and gaseous pollutants.