On the variability of atmospheric 222Rn activity concentrations measured at Neumayer, coastal Antarctica
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4880-5572, Levin, Ingeborg, Schmithüsen, Dominik, Nachbar, Mario, Asseng, Jölund and Wagenbach, Dietmar
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We report on continuously measured 222Rn activity in near surface air at Neumayer Station in the period 1995 through 2011. This 17 years record showed no long-term trend and has overall mean ± standard deviation of (0.019±0.012) Bq m-3. A distinct and persistent seasonality could be distinguished with maximum values of (0.028±0.013) Bq m-3 from January through March and minimum values of (0.015±0.009) Bq m-3 from May through October. Elevated 222Rn activity concentrations were typically associated with air mass transport from the Antarctic Plateau. Our results do not support a relation between enhanced 222Rn activity concentrations at Neumayer and cyclonic activity or long-range transport from South America. The impact of oceanic 222Rn emissions could not be properly assessed but we tentatively identified regional SIE variability as a significant driver of the annual 222Rn cycle.
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4880-5572, Levin, Ingeborg, Schmithüsen, Dominik, Nachbar, Mario, Asseng, Jölund and Wagenbach, Dietmar
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AWI Organizations > Infrastructure > Operations and Research Platforms
Helmholtz Research Programs > PACES I (2009-2013) > TOPIC 5: Infrastructure > WP 5.1: Infrastructure
Helmholtz Research Programs > PACES I (2009-2013) > TOPIC 6: Large-Scale Facilities > WP 6.1: Large-scale facilities
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