Evaluating radon-derived mixing depth as a potential length scale for nocturnal mixing processes over land.

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dc.contributor.authorChambers, SDen_AU
dc.contributor.authorWilliams, AGen_AU
dc.contributor.authorZahorowski, Wen_AU
dc.contributor.authorGriffiths, ADen_AU
dc.date.accessioned2010-08-19T06:48:08Zen_AU
dc.date.available2010-08-19T06:48:08Zen_AU
dc.date.issued2010-05-02en_AU
dc.date.statistics2010-05-02en_AU
dc.description.abstractTo evaluate, and ultimately improve, numerical schemes for vertical mixing and exchange within the atmospheric boundary layer, and in particular the nocturnal boundary layer, it is necessary to quantify mixing processes within the lower atmosphere at a temporal resolution sufficient to resolve the diurnal cycle. One way to quantitatively characterize near-surface mixing on diurnal time scales is to make continuous, high temporal resolution vertical gradient measurements of a suitable atmospheric tracer. Radon-222 (radon) is a naturally occurring, radioactive, noble gas that is poorly soluble in water. It has a relatively uniform terrestrial source function and its only significant atmospheric sink is radioactive decay. Radon’s 3.8-day half-life is also ideal for atmospheric boundary layer mixing studies, being much larger than turbulent timescales (<1 hour) but short enough to ensure typical concentrations in the free troposphere are orders of magnitude lower than near surface concentrations. Under strongly stable conditions, when the nocturnal mixing depth can become too shallow to be resolved by SODAR or LIDAR, nearsurface radon concentrations remain intimately linked to the local mixing depth. Radon gradient measurements between 2 and 50 m have been collected for more than a year from a 50 m tower near Sydney, Australia, using a pair of 1500 L dual flow loop, two filter radon detectors, with a lower limit of detection of approximately 40 mBq m-3. The site is topographically complex and, being less than 20 km from the coast, is also subjected to marine influences. While the magnitude of the diurnal radon signal at Lucas Heights is suppressed compared to that of flat, inland sites, a clear correlation is observed between the measured radon gradients and the strength of mechanical and/or convective turbulence. On windy nights (wind speeds in excess of 2 ms-1, or Bulk Richardson number less 0.25), the 2 – 50 m radon gradient rarely exceeds 1 Bq m-3. However, on strongly stable nights (clear skies with wind speeds < 2 ms-1), when the mixing depth is small and sometimes even below 50 m (so that the upper tower level is above the stable boundary layer), large radon gradients are observed that can exceed 5 Bq m-3. On stable nights it is possible to estimate the nocturnal mixing depth using a simple depth-integrated radon budget equation. The present investigation focuses on whether these mixing depth estimates could be useful as a length scale for investigations of nocturnal mixing processes. Initial comparisons with nocturnal mixing depths derived from simulations using the regional LAPS model provided by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology have been encouraging, considering the local terrain variability.en_AU
dc.description.sponsorshipEuropean Geosciences Unionen_AU
dc.identifier.articlenumberEGU2010-3839en_AU
dc.identifier.booktitleGeophysical Research Abstractsen_AU
dc.identifier.citationChambers, S., Williams, A. G., Zahorowski, W., & Griffiths, A. D. (2010). Evaluating radon-derived mixing depth as a potential length scale for nocturnal mixing processes over land. 7th European Geosciences Union (EGU) General Assembly, 2nd – 7th May 2010. Vienna, Austria: Austria Center. In Geophysical Research Abstracts, 12, EGU2010-3839.en_AU
dc.identifier.conferenceenddate7 May 2010en_AU
dc.identifier.conferencename7th European Geosciences Union (EGU) General Assemblyen_AU
dc.identifier.conferenceplaceVienna, Austriaen_AU
dc.identifier.conferencestartdate2 May 2010en_AU
dc.identifier.govdoc2426en_AU
dc.identifier.otherEGU2010-3839en_AU
dc.identifier.urihttp://apo.ansto.gov.au/dspace/handle/10238/2251en_AU
dc.identifier.volume12en_AU
dc.language.isoenen_AU
dc.publisherEuropean Geosciences Unionen_AU
dc.subjectRadon 222en_AU
dc.subjectMixingen_AU
dc.subjectNocturnal variationsen_AU
dc.subjectBoundary layersen_AU
dc.subjectDepthen_AU
dc.subjectTracer techniquesen_AU
dc.titleEvaluating radon-derived mixing depth as a potential length scale for nocturnal mixing processes over land.en_AU
dc.typeConference Abstracten_AU
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