title: A simple model for describing the concentration of 212Pb in the atmosphere.
abstract: The implementation of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty is resulting in the construction of a world-wide system of 80 monitoring stations that will be able to detect air-borne radioactivity, not only from atomic bombs but also from other anthropogenic and natural sources. A prototype monitoring station has been operating since April 1996 in Vancouver, BC, Canada. This station provides daily reports of natural radioactivity, including 7Be and decay products of 220Rn (thoron). Data for 212Pb concentrations have been analyzed over a 6-month period. The concentration is reduced by rainfall, high wind velocity, and low temperatures and it also depends on the wind direction, but atmospheric inversions appeared to have little impact. We present a relatively simple model, which is easy to use and which offers predictive powers that can be applied to other similar environmental situations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of British Columbia, 6224 Agricultural Road, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z1.
authors.forename: Ernest C Y
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: David F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Measday
mesh_terms: D000396:Air Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D005544:Forecasting; D007856:Lead Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis*; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009689:Nuclear Warfare; D011891:Rain; D013696:Temperature; D014919:Wind
chemical_list: D000396:Air Pollutants, Radioactive; D007856:Lead Radioisotopes