Correlation between the Concentrations of Atmospheric Ions and Radon as Judged from Measurements at the Fonovaya Observatory

Abstract

The correlation between the radon influx into the atmosphere and the formation of ions has been studied from the data of observations at the Fonovaya Observatory of Institute of Atmospheric Optics, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences. This correlation is shown to be stable in the period from October to January. In the other months, the correlation is disturbed. However, if the events of nucleation and lightning discharges are removed from the data set, then the correlation is kept throughout the year.

Study of track ionization in the atmospheric radioactive plumes to detect artificial increased radioactivity

“…A relationship has been established between the natural release of radon 222 Rn and thoron 220 Rn in the formation of positive and negative ions in the atmosphere throughout the year [8]. The electrification of water vapor molecules occurs not only under the influence of the introduction of a charged body into the atmosphere [9,10] but also by an increased level of radioactivity [11].…”

“…Excited ions of atomic nitrogen appear during the ionization of the atmosphere, and the lifetime is determined by the frequency of collisions with neutral particles. It should be noted that the background values of the concentration of nitrogen ions under normal conditions near the earth's surface on average correspond to N + ~ 480 cm -3 and N -~ 425 cm -3 , at the height of 3 km the sum of N + and N -~ 1000 cm -3 , and at the altitude of 5 km N + + N + ~ 2000 cm -3 [8,15].…”