Airborne measurement of atmospheric conductivity in fifteen-day-old thermonuclear debris

Abstract

Total atmospheric conductivity was measured on a flight through fifteen‐day‐old thermonuclear debris. Significant increases in conductivity were noted within the debris at altitudes of 17,000 and 5000 feet. The relative increases at the two altitudes are found to be in good agreement with values calculated from ion‐equilibrium conditions.

Atmospheric Electrical Plume Detection: Theory and Field Measurements

“…3) THE DETECTION OF RADIOACTIVE DEBRIS Radioactive debris in the atmosphere will cause enhanced ionization and an increase in the small ion population in its vicinity, leading to increased conductivity. Anderson and Serbu (1960) detected the presence of 15-day-old thermonuclear debris by airborne measurements that showed significant (30-75%) increases in conductivity at various levels. Long-term decreases in the ground level electric field strength at several stations have been attributed by Pierce (1972) to the accumulation of radioactive fallout material on the ground.…”

“…Dolezalek (personal communication, 1978) has pointed out that in the 1950s, J. Lugeon, then President of the Swiss National Weather Service, used atmospheric electric aerosol and plume tracing to determine the optimum positioning and minimum height of the smokestack for an industrial plant in the upper Rhone valley. In 1969, Anderson and Trent (1969) published the results of an investigation into the effects of pollution on electric field and current density at several North American stations. Since 1969, Reiter (1977 and his colleagues in Germany have conducted investigations into the physical characteristics, meteorological behavior, and chemical composition of aerosols.…”