High time-resolved radon progeny measurements in the Arctic region (Svalbard islands, Norway): results and potentialities

The estimation of radon progeny in the Arctic region represents a scientific challenge due to the required low limit of detection in consideration of the limited radon emanation associated with permafrost dynamics. This preliminary study highlighted, for the first time above 70° N, the possibility t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics
Main Authors: R. Salzano, A. Pasini, A. Ianniello, M. Mazzola, R. Traversi, R. Udisti
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Copernicus Publications 2018
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-18-6959-2018
https://doaj.org/article/acb701e35a7e4e968ce729fc2dfe310e
Description
Summary:The estimation of radon progeny in the Arctic region represents a scientific challenge due to the required low limit of detection in consideration of the limited radon emanation associated with permafrost dynamics. This preliminary study highlighted, for the first time above 70° N, the possibility to monitor radon progeny in the Arctic region with a higher time resolution. The composition of the radon progeny offered the opportunity to identify air masses dominated by long-range transport, in presence or absence of near-constant radon progeny instead of long- and short-lived progenies. Furthermore, the different ratio between radon and thoron progenies evidenced the contributions of local emissions and atmospheric stability. Two different emanation periods were defined in accordance with the permafrost dynamics at the ground and several accumulation windows were recognized coherently to the meteo-climatic conditions occurring at the study site.