Radon-222 observations for atmospheric transport, mixing and pollution studies: a review
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Date
2010-08-31
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
South Pacific Radioactivity Association
Abstract
Over the past century the simple source/sink mechanisms of Radon-222 (radon), and its 3.8-day half E life, have led to its extensive use as a passive atmospheric tracer. This presentation will outline the main contemporary applications of radon in atmospheric research. Two of these applications — air mass transport, and vertical mixing in the lower atmosphere — will then be illustrated by four separate case studies: (1) Using radon to identify the geographical extent, strength and seasonal variability of land and oceanic emissions; (2) Using radon in pollution studies to improve the performance of clustering algorithms used for defining source regions; (3) Using hourly tower-based T, radon gradient observations to investigate mixing processes in the lower boundary layer and stable nocturnal boundary layer with changing atmospheric stability; and (4) Using vertical radon profile "snapshots" measured from light aircraft up to 4 km above ground level to contrast boundary layer entrainment rates between clear-sky, convective and stratiform cloud cases.
Description
Keywords
Radon 222, Air pollution, Air pollution monitoring, Atmospheres, Environment, Boundary layers, Aircraft, Sky
Citation
Chambers, S., Zahorowski, W., Williams, A. G., Crawford, J., Cohen, D. D., Vermeulen, A. T., Verheggen, B. (2010). Radon-222 observations for atmospheric transport, mixing and pollution studies: a review. Paper presented to the 11th South Pacific Environmental Radioactivity Association Conference "SPERA 2010", Crowne Plaza Surfers Paradise Gold Coast, Australia, 31 August - 3 September 2010.