One year of 222 Rn concentration in the atmospheric surface layer

doi:10.5194/ACP-6-2865-2006

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One year of 222 Rn concentration in the atmospheric surface layer

Journal Article•DOI•

One year of 222 Rn concentration in the atmospheric surface layer

19 Dec 2005-Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (Copernicus GmbH)-Vol. 6, Iss: 10, pp 2865-2886

TL;DR: In this article, a one-year time series of radon measured in a rural area in the North of Italy in 1997 has been analyzed, where wavelet analysis is used as one of the investigation tools of the time series.

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Abstract: A one-year time series of 222 Rn measured in a rural area in the North of Italy in 1997 is analyzed. The scope of the investigation is to better understand the behavior of this common atmospheric tracer in relation to the meteorological conditions at the release site. Wavelet analysis is used as one of the investigation tools of the time series. The measurements and scalograms of 222 Rn are compared to those of wind-speed, pressure, relative humidity, temperature and NO x . The use of wavelet analysis allows the identification of the various scales controlling the influence of the meteorological variables on 222 Rn dispersion in the surface layer that are not visible through classical Fourier analysis or direct time series inspection. The analysis of the time series has identified specific periods during which the usual diurnal variation of radon is superimposed to a linear growth thus indicating the build up of concentration at the measurement level. From these specific cases an estimate of the surface flux of 222 Rn is made. By means of a simple model these special cases are reproduced.

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Journal Article•DOI•

Review on airflow in unsaturated zones induced by natural forcings

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Xingxing Kuang, Jiu Jimmy Jiao, Hailong Li

01 Oct 2013-Water Resources Research

TL;DR: In this paper, the authors synthesize the published literature on subsurface airflow driven by natural forcings such as atmospheric pressure fluctuations, topographic effect, water table fluctuations, and water infiltration.

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Abstract: [1] Subsurface airflow in unsaturated zones induced by natural forcings is of importance in many environmental and engineering fields, such as environmental remediation, water infiltration and groundwater recharge, coastal soil aeration, mine and tunnel ventilation, and gas exchange between soil and atmosphere. This review synthesizes the published literature on subsurface airflow driven by natural forcings such as atmospheric pressure fluctuations, topographic effect, water table fluctuations, and water infiltration. The present state of knowledge concerning the mechanisms, analytical and numerical models, and environmental and engineering applications related to the naturally occurring airflow is discussed. Airflow induced by atmospheric pressure fluctuations is studied the most because of the applications to environmental remediation and transport of trace gases from soil to atmosphere, which are very important in understanding biogeochemical cycling and global change. Airflow induced by infiltration is also an extensively investigated topic because of its implications in rainfall infiltration and groundwater recharge. Airflow induced by water table fluctuations is important in coastal areas because it plays an important role in coastal environmental remediation and ecological systems. Airflow induced by topographic effect is studied the least. However, it has important applications in unsaturated zone gas transport and natural ventilation of mines and tunnels. Finally, the similarities and differences in the characteristics of the air pressure and airflow are compared and future research efforts are recommended.

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88 citations

Cites background from "One year of 222 Rn concentration in..."

...In addition, both positive [Galmarini, 2006] and negative [Klusman and Jaacks, 1987; Schery et al., 1989; Hutter, 1996; Iakovleva and Ryzhakova, 2003; Smetanov a et al., 2010] correlations between radon concentration and atmospheric pressure were found....
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...Some researchers stated that only sudden drops or increases of atmospheric pressure (of the order of 1.0–1.5 kPa) can affect the radon exhalation [Kataoka et al., 2003; Galmarini, 2006]....
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Journal Article•DOI•

On the use of radon for quantifying the effects of atmospheric stability on urban emissions

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Scott D. Chambers¹, Alastair G. Williams¹, Jagoda Crawford¹, Alan D. Griffiths¹•Institutions (1)

Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation¹

02 Feb 2015-Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics

TL;DR: In this article, the authors argue that single-height radon observations should not be used quantitatively as an indicator of atmospheric stability without prior conditioning of the time series to remove contributions from larger-scale "non-local" processes.

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Abstract: . Radon is increasingly being used as a tool for quantifying stability influences on urban pollutant concentrations. Bulk radon gradients are ideal for this purpose, since the vertical differencing substantially removes contributions from processes on timescales greater than diurnal and (assuming a constant radon source) gradients are directly related to the intensity of nocturnal mixing. More commonly, however, radon measurements are available only at a single height. In this study we argue that single-height radon observations should not be used quantitatively as an indicator of atmospheric stability without prior conditioning of the time series to remove contributions from larger-scale "non-local" processes. We outline a simple technique to obtain an approximation of the diurnal radon gradient signal from a single-height measurement time series, and use it to derive a four category classification scheme for atmospheric stability on a "whole night" basis. A selection of climatological and pollution observations in the Sydney region are then subdivided according to the radon-based scheme on an annual and seasonal basis. We compare the radon-based scheme against a commonly used Pasquill–Gifford (P–G) type stability classification and reveal that the most stable category in the P–G scheme is less selective of the strongly stable nights than the radon-based scheme; this lead to significant underestimation of pollutant concentrations on the most stable nights by the P–G scheme. Lastly, we applied the radon-based classification scheme to mixing height estimates calculated from the diurnal radon accumulation time series, which provided insight to the range of nocturnal mixing depths expected at the site for each of the stability classes.

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77 citations

Journal Article•DOI•

Investigations on indoor radon in Austria, Part 1: Seasonality of indoor radon concentration.

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Peter Bossew, Herbert Lettner¹•Institutions (1)

University of Salzburg¹

01 Dec 2007-Journal of Environmental Radioactivity

TL;DR: The seasonality of indoor Rn concentration measured in Austria is investigated as a function of other factors that influence indoors Rn, with higher Rn levels in winter.

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63 citations

Journal Article•DOI•

Quantifying the influences of atmospheric stability on air pollution in Lanzhou, China, using a radon-based stability monitor

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Scott D. Chambers¹, Fenjuan Wang², Fenjuan Wang³, Alastair G. Williams¹, Deng Xiaodong, Hua Zhang³, Giovanni Lonati², Jagoda Crawford¹, Alan D. Griffiths¹, A. Ianniello⁴, Ivo Allegrini - Show less +7 more•Institutions (4)

Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation¹, Polytechnic University of Milan², China Meteorological Administration³, National Research Council⁴

01 Apr 2015-Atmospheric Environment

TL;DR: In this paper, a technique recently developed for stability classification using a research-quality dual-flow-loop two-filter radon detector is adapted for use with a commercially available radon-based stability monitor.

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57 citations

Journal Article•DOI•

Radon as a tracer of atmospheric influences on traffic-related air pollution in a small inland city

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Alastair G. Williams¹, Scott D. Chambers¹, Franz Conen², Stefan Reimann³, Matthias Hill³, Alan D. Griffiths¹, Jagoda Crawford¹ - Show less +3 more•Institutions (3)

Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation¹, University of Basel², Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology³

06 Sep 2016-Tellus B

TL;DR: One year of radon, benzene and carbon monoxide (CO) concentrations were analyzed to characterise the combined influences of variations in traffic density and meteorological conditions on urban air quality in Bern, Switzerland as mentioned in this paper.

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Abstract: One year of radon, benzene and carbon monoxide (CO) concentrations were analysed to characterise the combined influences of variations in traffic density and meteorological conditions on urban air quality in Bern, Switzerland. A recently developed radon-based stability categorisation technique was adapted to account for seasonal changes in day length and reduction in the local radon flux due to snow/ice cover and high soil moisture. Diurnal pollutant cycles were shown to result from an interplay between variations in surface emissions (traffic density), the depth of the nocturnal atmospheric mixing layer (dilution) and local horizontal advection of cleaner air from outside the central urban/industrial area of this small compact inland city. Substantial seasonal differences in the timing and duration of peak pollutant concentrations in the diurnal cycle were attributable to changes in day length and the switching to/from daylight-savings time in relation to traffic patterns. In summer, average peak benzene concentrations (0.62 ppb) occurred in the morning and remained above 0.5 ppb for 2 hours, whereas in winter average peak concentrations (0.85 ppb) occurred in the evening and remained above 0.5 ppb for 9 hours. Under stable conditions in winter, average peak benzene concentrations (1.1 ppb) were 120% higher than for well-mixed conditions (0.5 ppb). By comparison, summertime peak benzene concentrations increased by 53% from well-mixed (0.45 ppb) to stable nocturnal conditions (0.7 ppb). An idealised box model incorporating a simple advection term was used to derive a nocturnal mixing length scale based on radon, and then inverted to simulate diurnal benzene and CO emission variations at the city centre. This method effectively removes the influences of local horizontal advection and stability-related vertical dilution from the emissions signal, enabling a direct comparison with hourly traffic density. With the advection term calibrated appropriately, excellent results were obtained, with high regression coefficients in spring and summer for both benzene (r 2 ~0.90–0.96) and CO (r 2 ~0.88–0.98) in the two highest stability categories. Weaker regressions in winter likely indicate additional contributions from combustion sources unrelated to vehicular emissions. Average vehicular emissions during daylight hours were estimated to be around 0.503 (542) kg km −2 h −1 for benzene (CO) in the Bern city centre. Keywords: radon, air quality, urban, atmospheric stability, traffic density, vehicle emissions (Published: 6 September 2016) Citation: Tellus B 2016, 68, 30967, http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/tellusb.v68.30967

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42 citations

Cites background from "One year of 222 Rn concentration in..."

...…of the ubiquitous surface-emitted passive tracer radon (e.g. Allegrini et al., 1994; Duenas et al., 1996; Perrino, 2001, 2012; Avino et al., 2003; Galmarini, 2006; Sesana et al., 2006; Chambers et al., 2011, 2015a, 2015b, 2016; Wang et al., 2013; Williams et al., 2013; Kondo et al., 2014; Pitari…...
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Radon content and its change in soil air near the ground surface

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Z. Hatuda

01 Jan 1953

26 citations

Journal Article•DOI•

Atmospheric Radon-222 Concentration Variation with Height and Time

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John E. Pearson¹, Harry Moses¹•Institutions (1)

Argonne National Laboratory¹

01 Apr 1966-Journal of Applied Meteorology

TL;DR: In this paper, the authors provided over 650 individual determinations of radon concentration measured during a wide variety of meteorological conditions, from clear days with high radiation and relatively weak winds to cloudy days of low radiation and high winds.

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Abstract: Studies of concentrations of radon-222 in the atmosphere have been made from the surface of the earth to 16 meters elevation for eight periods of approximately 24 hours each. These studies provide over 650 individual determinations of radon concentration measured during a wide variety of meteorological conditions, from clear days with high radiation and relatively weak winds to cloudy days of low radiation and relatively high winds. Information presented indicates general features of radon concentration: 1) highest concentrations near the soil, the source, 2) maximum concentrations at night with the maximum near the soil occurring about 3 hours before the maximum at 16 meters, 3) minimum values at all levels near midday, 4) almost constant concentration with elevation, indicating good mixing during morning hours, and 5) the increase of concentration at ground level ahead of those aloft with the approach of evening. Average 24-hour exposure at human breathing level, between 1 and 4 meters, varies ...

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25 citations

Journal Article•DOI•

Conditional Wavelet Technique Applied to Aircraft Data Measured in the Thermal Internal Boundary Layer During Sea-Breeze Events

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Jean-Luc Attié, Pierre Durand

01 Mar 2003-Boundary-Layer Meteorology

TL;DR: In this paper, a wavelet-based technique was proposed to determine the spectral turbulent contribution to the vertical flux of sensible heat in a position-wavelength representation, which combines the wavelet transform (Morlet wavelet) with conditional sampling.

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Abstract: We describe a wavelet-based technique to determine the spectral turbulentcontribution to the vertical flux of sensible heat in a position-wavelength representation. This technique combines awavelet transform (Morlet wavelet) with conditional sampling. We apply this methodto aircraft datacollected during a sea-breeze circulation (BEMA97 experiment) with heterogeneousturbulence conditions horizontally and vertically as well. The turbulent fluxes are analysed with the conditional wavelet techniqueas a function of the wavelength and the horizontal distance.The turbulent processes within the thermal internal boundary layer associatedwith the sea breeze are clearly identified. The results exhibit the wavelength bands through which the upward flux (originating fromthe surface) and the downward flux (originating from the top of theboundary layer) are important.

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24 citations

"One year of 222 Rn concentration in..." refers background in this paper

...…distinguished by classical time series analysis or Fourier transformation (e.g. Druhilet et al., 1994; Gao et al., 1993; Galmarini and Attié, 1999; Attié and Durand, 2003; ACPD 5, 12895–12937, 2005 222Rn concentration in the atmospheric surface layer S. Galmarini Title Page Abstract…...
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Journal Article•DOI•

Results of continuous measurements of radon and its decay products in the lower atmosphere

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H. Israël, M. Horbert, G. W. Israël¹•Institutions (1)

California Institute of Technology¹

01 Aug 1966-Tellus A

TL;DR: In this paper, the radon content of the atmosphere at different levels above ground between 0.5 and 4 m was recorded at Aachen, Germany with a stepwise progressive filter (Schrittfilter).

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Abstract: With a new continuous measurement method, the radon content of the atmosphere at different levels above ground between 0.5 and 4 m was recorded at Aachen, Germany. Evaluation of simultaneous measurements of the radon daughters with a stepwise progressive filter (Schrittfilter) showed a close relation between radon and its daughters and the meteorological factors at the measuring place. Questions discussed in the paper include the daily variations of the radon concentration in relation to the exchange (Austausch), the radioactive equilibrium of radon and its daughters at different heights, and influences of the wind direction. It was found that during temperature inversions the concentration of radon and its daughters was enlarged whilst on overcast days the mean daily variation of both the radon and the radon daughter concentration was smaller. Moreover, the radon and thoron daughters were correlated with the dust content of the air. DOI: 10.1111/j.2153-3490.1966.tb00280.x

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24 citations

"One year of 222 Rn concentration in..." refers background in this paper

...It has long been studied in the atmospheric boundary25 layer (ABL) as constantly emitted from the surface (e.g. Israël et al., 1966; Ikebe and ACPD 5, 12895–12937, 2005 222Rn concentration in the atmospheric surface layer S. Galmarini Title Page Abstract Introduction Conclusions References Tables…...
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...A remarkable feature, also noticed in previous studies (Israel et al., 1966), is the response time of radon exhalation and therefore concentration to the start and end of the precipitation event....
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...Ishimori et al. (1998) determine a recovery time of the exhalation flux of 1.5 days after a precipitation event of 15 mm. Israel et al. (1966) found a comparable25 reduction due to precipitation events of less than 3 h and rate above 3 mm/h. Megumi and Mamuro (1973) found a reduction of the ground…...
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Journal Article•DOI•

Application of a numerical model for the planetary boundary layer to the vertical distribution of radon and its daughter products

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A. Vinod Kumar¹, V. Sitaraman¹, R.B. Oza¹, T.M. Krishnamoorthy¹•Institutions (1)

Bhabha Atomic Research Centre¹

01 Dec 1999-Atmospheric Environment

TL;DR: In this paper, a one-dimensional numerical boundary layer (PBL) model is developed and applied to study the vertical distribution of radon and its daughter products in the atmosphere, and the significant change in the vertical profile of concentration due to decoupling of the upper portion of the boundary layer from the shallow lower stable layer is explained by the PBL model.

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23 citations

"One year of 222 Rn concentration in..." refers methods in this paper

...The linear growth of concentration superimposed to the daily evolution is also used by Vinod Kumar et al. (1999) to validate their one-dimensional model....
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...It has long been studied in the atmospheric boundary25 layer (ABL) as constantly emitted from the surface (e.g. Israël et al., 1966; Ikebe and ACPD 5, 12895–12937, 2005 222Rn concentration in the atmospheric surface layer S. Galmarini Title Page Abstract Introduction Conclusions References Tables Figures J I J I Back Close Full Screen / Esc Print Version Interactive Discussion EGU Shimo, 1972; Beck et al., 1979; Vinod Kumar et al., 1999; Sesana et al., 2003, 2005; Pearson and Moses, 1966; Marcazan et al., 1993, 1997; Kataoka et al., 2001, 2003), to characterize the turbulent diffusion properties of the lower atmospheric levels, and since some of its radio nuclides have decay timescales comparable to that of turbulent transport in the ABL (e.g. Beran and Assaf, 1970; Druilhet and Fontan, 1973; Kris-5 tensen et al., 1997)....
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...…References Tables Figures J I J I Back Close Full Screen / Esc Print Version Interactive Discussion EGU Shimo, 1972; Beck et al., 1979; Vinod Kumar et al., 1999; Sesana et al., 2003, 2005; Pearson and Moses, 1966; Marcazan et al., 1993, 1997; Kataoka et al., 2001, 2003), to characterize…...
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