On the variability of atmospheric 222Rn activity concentrations measured at Neumayer, coastal Antarctica


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Rolf.Weller [ at ] awi.de

Abstract

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.



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Eprint ID
34405
DOI 10.5194/acp-14-3843-2014

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Weller, R. , Levin, I. , Schmithüsen, D. , Nachbar, M. , Asseng, J. and Wagenbach, D. (2014): On the variability of atmospheric 222Rn activity concentrations measured at Neumayer, coastal Antarctica , Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics, 14 (8), pp. 3843-3853 . doi: 10.5194/acp-14-3843-2014


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