Continuous monitoring of mixing depth with radon-222 and lidar

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dc.contributor.authorGriffiths, ADen_AU
dc.contributor.authorChambers, SDen_AU
dc.contributor.authorParkes, SDen_AU
dc.contributor.authorMcCabe, MFen_AU
dc.date.accessioned2020-06-12T03:01:06Zen_AU
dc.date.available2020-06-12T03:01:06Zen_AU
dc.date.issued2012-01-31en_AU
dc.date.statistics2020-06-01en_AU
dc.description.abstractWe report on the development of a combined approach using both lidar and radon-222 measurements to obtain a near-continuous record of mixing depth which can, in turn, be used to assist in the interpretation of simultaneous trace gas measurements. Interactions between the land surface and the atmosphere above are moderated by the strength and depth of mixing in the lower atmosphere which ranges diurnally between several meters at night to over one kilometer during the day. Elastic backscatter lidar can be used to measure the depth of mixing during the day, i.e. the height of the planetary boundary layer (PBL), by employing the change in aerosol concentration, and hence lidar signal, at the boundary between the PBL and the free atmosphere. These measurements are only possible when the mixing depth is large. A complimentary approach, based on radon measurements, works well from the time turbulence decays in the afternoon through till mid morning when mixing depths are too small to be observed using lidar. Radon- 222 is chemically inert and is released from the surface at a relatively constant rate and as such is a natural passive tracer. Since it is radioactive, with a half-life of 3.8 days, it does not accumulate in the atmosphere. At horizontally homogeneous inland sites, vertical mixing is the main process affecting near-surface concentration. An estimate can therefore be obtained of an “equivalent mixing depth” from time-series of radon concentration measurements, which can themselves be obtained with robust and low-maintenance instrumentation. Using two measurement techniques sidesteps the limitations of each to make a combined dataset a useful component of field studies which seek to understand the exchanges of trace gases between the land surface and atmosphere.en_AU
dc.identifier.citationGriffiths, A., Chambers, S., Parkes, S., & McCabe, M. (2012). Continuous monitoring of mixing depth with radon-222 and lidar. Paper presented at the AMOS 18th National Conference, "connections in climate systems", University of New South Wales, Sydney, 31 Jan - 3 Feb 2012.en_AU
dc.identifier.conferenceenddate3 February 2012en_AU
dc.identifier.conferencenameAMOS 18th National Conference, 'connections in climate systems'en_AU
dc.identifier.conferenceplaceSydney, Australiaen_AU
dc.identifier.conferencestartdate31 January 2012en_AU
dc.identifier.govdoc9660en_AU
dc.identifier.urihttp://apo.ansto.gov.au/dspace/handle/10238/9608en_AU
dc.language.isoenen_AU
dc.publisherAustralian Meterological & Oceanographic Societyen_AU
dc.subjectRadon 222en_AU
dc.subjectOptical radaren_AU
dc.subjectDepthen_AU
dc.subjectGasesen_AU
dc.subjectAtmospheresen_AU
dc.subjectBackscatteringen_AU
dc.subjectBoundary layersen_AU
dc.subjectDatasetsen_AU
dc.titleContinuous monitoring of mixing depth with radon-222 and lidaren_AU
dc.typeConference Presentationen_AU
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