Radon activity in the lower troposphere and its impact on ionization rate: a global estimate using different radon emissions

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dc.contributor.authorZhang, Ken_AU
dc.contributor.authorFeichter, Jen_AU
dc.contributor.authorKazil, Jen_AU
dc.contributor.authorWan, Hen_AU
dc.contributor.authorZhuo, Wen_AU
dc.contributor.authorGriffiths, ADen_AU
dc.contributor.authorSartorius, Hen_AU
dc.contributor.authorZahorowski, Wen_AU
dc.contributor.authorRamonet, Men_AU
dc.contributor.authorSchmidt, Men_AU
dc.contributor.authorYver, Cen_AU
dc.contributor.authorNeubert, REMen_AU
dc.contributor.authorBrunke, EGen_AU
dc.date.accessioned2011-10-13T01:53:24Zen_AU
dc.date.available2011-10-13T01:53:24Zen_AU
dc.date.issued2011-01-01en_AU
dc.date.statistics2011-10-13en_AU
dc.description.abstractThe radioactive decay of radon and its progeny can lead to ionization of air molecules and consequently influence aerosol size distribution. In order to provide a global estimate of the radon-related ionization rate, we use the global atmospheric model ECHAM5 to simulate transport and decay processes of the radioactive tracers. A global radon emission map is put together using regional fluxes reported recently in the literature. Near-surface radon concentrations simulated with this new map compare well with measurements. Radon-related ionization rate is calculated and compared to that caused by cosmic rays. The contribution of radon and its progeny clearly exceeds that of the cosmic rays in the mid- and low-latitude land areas in the surface layer. During cold seasons, at locations where high concentration of sulfuric acid gas and low temperature provide potentially favorable conditions for nucleation, the coexistence of high ionization rate may help enhance the particle formation processes. This suggests that it is probably worth investigating the impact of radon-induced ionization on aerosol-climate interaction in global models. © Author(s) 2011.en_AU
dc.identifier.citationZhang, K., Feichter, J., Kazil, J., Wan, H., Zhuo, W., Griffiths, A. D., Sartorius, H., Zahorowski, W., Ramonet, M., Schmidt, M., Yver, C., Neubert, R. E. M., & Brunke, E. G. (2011). Radon activity in the lower troposphere and its impact on ionization rate: a global estimate using different radon emissions. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 11(15), 7817-7838. doi:10.5194/acp-11-7817-2011en_AU
dc.identifier.govdoc3671en_AU
dc.identifier.issn1680-7316en_AU
dc.identifier.issue15en_AU
dc.identifier.journaltitleAtmospheric Chemistry and Physicsen_AU
dc.identifier.pagination7817-7838en_AU
dc.identifier.urihttp://dx.doi.org/10.5194/acp-11-7817-2011en_AU
dc.identifier.urihttp://apo.ansto.gov.au/dspace/handle/10238/3819en_AU
dc.identifier.volume11en_AU
dc.language.isoenen_AU
dc.publisherEuropean Geosciences Unionen_AU
dc.subjectRadonen_AU
dc.subjectTroposphereen_AU
dc.subjectIonizationen_AU
dc.subjectEmissionen_AU
dc.subjectAerosolsen_AU
dc.subjectCosmic ray fluxen_AU
dc.titleRadon activity in the lower troposphere and its impact on ionization rate: a global estimate using different radon emissionsen_AU
dc.typeJournal Articleen_AU
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