The vertical distribution of radon in clear and cloudy daytime terrestrial boundary layers

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dc.contributor.authorWilliams, AGen_AU
dc.contributor.authorZahorowski, Wen_AU
dc.contributor.authorChambers, SDen_AU
dc.contributor.authorGriffiths, ADen_AU
dc.contributor.authorHacker, JMen_AU
dc.contributor.authorElement, Aen_AU
dc.contributor.authorWercanski, Sen_AU
dc.date.accessioned2011-10-13T01:57:03Zen_AU
dc.date.available2011-10-13T01:57:03Zen_AU
dc.date.issued2011-01-01en_AU
dc.date.statistics2011-10-11en_AU
dc.description.abstractRadon ((222)Rn) is a powerful natural tracer of mixing and exchange processes in the atmospheric boundary layer. The authors present and discuss the main features of a unique dataset of 50 high-resolution vertical radon profiles up to 3500 m above ground level, obtained in clear and cloudy daytime terrestrial boundary layers over an inland rural site in Australia using an instrumented motorized research glider. It is demonstrated that boundary layer radon profiles frequently exhibit a complex layered structure as a result of mixing and exchange processes of varying strengths and extents working in clear and cloudy conditions within the context of the diurnal cycle and the synoptic meteorology. Normalized aircraft radon measurements are presented, revealing the characteristic structure and variability of three major classes of daytime boundary layer: 1) dry convective boundary layers, 2) mixed layers topped with residual layers, and 3) convective boundary layers topped with coupled nonprecipitating clouds. Robust and unambiguous signatures of important atmospheric processes in the boundary layer are identifiable in the radon profiles, including "top-down" mixing associated with entrainment in clear-sky cases and strongly enhanced venting and subcloud-layer mixing when substantial active cumulus are present. In poorly mixed conditions, radon gradients in the daytime atmospheric surface layer significantly exceed those predicted by Monin-Obukhov similarity theory. In two case studies, it is demonstrated for the first time that a sequence of vertical radon profiles measured over the course of a single day can consistently reproduce major structural features of the evolving boundary layer.© 2011, American Meteorological Society.en_AU
dc.identifier.citationWilliams, A. G., Zahorowski, W., Chambers, S., Griffiths, A., Hacker, J. M., Element, A., & Werczynski, S. (2011). The vertical distribution of radon in clear and cloudy daytime terrestrial boundary layers, Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences, 68(1); 155-174. doi:10.1175/2010JAS3576.1en_AU
dc.identifier.govdoc3672en_AU
dc.identifier.issn0022-4928en_AU
dc.identifier.issue1en_AU
dc.identifier.journaltitleJournal of the Atmospheric Sciencesen_AU
dc.identifier.pagination155-174en_AU
dc.identifier.urihttp://dx.doi.org/10.1175/2010JAS3576.1en_AU
dc.identifier.urihttp://apo.ansto.gov.au/dspace/handle/10238/3820en_AU
dc.identifier.volume68en_AU
dc.language.isoenen_AU
dc.publisherAmerican Meteorological Societyen_AU
dc.subjectRadon 222en_AU
dc.subjectAustraliaen_AU
dc.subjectBoundary layersen_AU
dc.subjectTroposphereen_AU
dc.subjectAircraften_AU
dc.subjectDiffusionen_AU
dc.titleThe vertical distribution of radon in clear and cloudy daytime terrestrial boundary layersen_AU
dc.typeJournal Articleen_AU
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