Aircraft measurements of the vertical distribution of radon in the lower atmosphere

Abstract

Radon 222 (Rn) vertical soundings were made on five different days over Illinois from 150 meters to as high as 5 km above the surface. The Rn concentration ranged from 60 to 300 pc m−3 at 150 meters above the surface and decreased exponentially by approximately one‐half with every 700‐meter increase in elevation. The Rn soundings were compared with earlier theoretical Rn profiles and with actual Rn measurements taken by several other investigators. The Rn concentration was found to decrease more rapidly with increasing altitude than had been calculated theoretically. Possible explanations for this disagreement are presented.

GCAP 2.0: a global 3-D chemical-transport model framework for past, present, and future climate scenarios

“…Its evasion from surface soils is relatively uniform and constant and is as described by Jacob et al (1997). Its insolubility and timescale of decay make it a useful tracer for diagnosing quick vertical mixing within atmospheric models from boundary layer processes and moist convection (e.g., Allen et al, 1996;Brost and Chatfield, 1989;Considine et al, 2005;Feichter and Crutzen, 1990;Hauglustaine et al, 2004;Jacob and Prather, 1990;Jacob et al, 1997;Lambert et al, 1982;Mahowald et al, 1995;Stockwell et al, 1998).…”

GCAP 2.0: A global 3-D chemical-transport model framework for past, present, and future climate scenarios

“…Figure 10 shows simulated climatological 222 Rn profiles sampled at the month and location of the available observations, also plotted. Observations are scarce and available only at northern extratropical continental locations (Bradley and Pearson, 1970;Nazarov et al, 1970;Wilkening, 1970;Moore et al, 1973;Kritz et al, 1998). In an overly convective atmosphere, the vertical gradient of 222 Rn would disappear.…”