Results of synchronous and unbroken measurements of natural atmospheric radioactivity from 1964–1979 at three stations (0.7–3.0 km a.s.l.) and review of the initial studies from 1956 on

Abstract

Since 1964, values of the RaB (z14 Pb) as part of the natural radioactivity of the air and as indicator of its radon content, are measured and analyzed in the mountains (Bavarian Alps) at three neighboring, vertically graduated stations at 0.7, 1.8, and 3.0 km a.s.1. Apart from the influence of the daily and annual variation, the differences concerning air mass and wind direction are remarkable. The vertical profile, obtained by the values from the three stations, reveals the exchange processes and permits to deduce an average exchange coefficient, determinant for the intermediate layer, and the integrated total RaB content of the air column. In the period under study, covering the years from 1964-I979, air has been sampled on filters simultaneously three times a day at all stations. Zusammenfassung Ergebnisse synchroner und durchlaufender Messungen der natiirlichen Luftradioaktivit~it 1964-1979 an 3 Stationen in 0,7 bis 3,0 km NN und Riickblick auf die Vorarbeiten ab 1956Werte des RaB (214 Pb) als Teil der nattirlichen Radioaktivit~it der Luft und als Mal~zahl ftir ihren Radongehalt werden seit 1964 im Gebirge (Bayerische Alpen) an drei benachbarren, h6hengestaffelten Stationen in 0,7, 1,8 und 3,0 km NN gemessen und untersucht. Neben dem Einflut~ des Tages-und Jahresganges sind die Unterschiede beztiglich Luftmasse und Windrichtung bemerkenswert. An dem durch die Werte der 3 Stationen gewonnenen Vertikalprofil lassen sich die Austauschprozesse erkennen und ein fiir die Zwischenschicht mal~geblicher durchschnittlicher Austauschkoeffizient und der integrierte Gesamtgehalt der Lufts~iule an RaB ableiten. Im Untersuchungszeitraum von 1964 bis 1979 wurden gleichzeitig an jeder Station t/iglich 3 Ffltermessungen durchgefiihrt.

Under Which Conditions Can Recordings of the Atmospheric Electric Conductivity Be Regarded as Indicator of Particulate Air Pollution?

“…In view of these circumstances we can say that the concentrations of small ions in the air depend in a rather complex manner on different parameters which is discussed in detail by Dolezalek and Reiter (1977) and by Reiter (1964). Concerning the production rate of small ions, reference should also be made to the variation of radon and daughter products as a function of meteorological, geological, and orographical conditions (Reiter, 1957(Reiter, , 1964Reiter et al, 1981;Reiter and Munzert, 1982). The complexity involved in establishing a correlation between the small ion concentration and the desired information on particulate air pollution (N) is due to the considerable effect of fog by which the small ion concentration is drastically reduced.…”