On the variability of atmospheric <sup>222</sup>Rn activity concentrations measured at Neumayer, coastal Antarctica
We report on continuously measured <sup>222</sup>Rn activity concentrations in near-surface air at Neumayer Station in the period 1995–2011. This 17-year record showed no long-term trend and has overall mean ± standard deviation of (0.019 ± 0.012) Bq m<sup>−3</sup>. A distinc...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2014-04-01
|
| Series: | Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics |
| Online Access: | http://www.atmos-chem-phys.net/14/3843/2014/acp-14-3843-2014.pdf |
| _version_ | 1818503085107970048 |
|---|---|
| author | R. Weller I. Levin D. Schmithüsen M. Nachbar J. Asseng D. Wagenbach |
| author_facet | R. Weller I. Levin D. Schmithüsen M. Nachbar J. Asseng D. Wagenbach |
| author_sort | R. Weller |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | We report on continuously measured <sup>222</sup>Rn activity concentrations in
near-surface air at Neumayer Station in the period 1995–2011. This
17-year record showed no long-term trend and has overall mean ±
standard deviation of (0.019 ± 0.012) Bq m<sup>−3</sup>. A distinct and
persistent seasonality could be distinguished with maximum values of
(0.028 ± 0.013) Bq m<sup>−3</sup> from January to March and minimum
values of (0.015 ± 0.009) Bq m<sup>−3</sup> from May to October.
Elevated <sup>222</sup>Rn activity concentrations were typically associated with
air mass transport from the Antarctic Plateau. Our results do not support a
relation between enhanced <sup>222</sup>Rn activity concentrations at Neumayer and
cyclonic activity or long-range transport from South America. The impact of
oceanic <sup>222</sup>Rn emissions could not be properly assessed but we
tentatively identified regional sea ice extent (SIE) variability as a
significant driver of the annual <sup>222</sup>Rn cycle. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-10T21:19:12Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-704160ecbb8a4d9691fda8ff707a4f4f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1680-7316 1680-7324 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-10T21:19:12Z |
| publishDate | 2014-04-01 |
| publisher | Copernicus Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics |
| spelling | doaj.art-704160ecbb8a4d9691fda8ff707a4f4f2022-12-22T01:33:11ZengCopernicus PublicationsAtmospheric Chemistry and Physics1680-73161680-73242014-04-011483843385310.5194/acp-14-3843-2014On the variability of atmospheric <sup>222</sup>Rn activity concentrations measured at Neumayer, coastal AntarcticaR. Weller0I. Levin1D. Schmithüsen2M. Nachbar3J. Asseng4D. Wagenbach5Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Am Handelshafen 12, 27570 Bremerhaven, GermanyInstitut für Umweltphysik, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 229, 69120 Heidelberg, GermanyInstitut für Umweltphysik, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 229, 69120 Heidelberg, GermanyInstitut für Umweltphysik, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 229, 69120 Heidelberg, GermanyAlfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Am Handelshafen 12, 27570 Bremerhaven, GermanyInstitut für Umweltphysik, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 229, 69120 Heidelberg, GermanyWe report on continuously measured <sup>222</sup>Rn activity concentrations in near-surface air at Neumayer Station in the period 1995–2011. This 17-year record showed no long-term trend and has overall mean ± standard deviation of (0.019 ± 0.012) Bq m<sup>−3</sup>. A distinct and persistent seasonality could be distinguished with maximum values of (0.028 ± 0.013) Bq m<sup>−3</sup> from January to March and minimum values of (0.015 ± 0.009) Bq m<sup>−3</sup> from May to October. Elevated <sup>222</sup>Rn activity concentrations were typically associated with air mass transport from the Antarctic Plateau. Our results do not support a relation between enhanced <sup>222</sup>Rn activity concentrations at Neumayer and cyclonic activity or long-range transport from South America. The impact of oceanic <sup>222</sup>Rn emissions could not be properly assessed but we tentatively identified regional sea ice extent (SIE) variability as a significant driver of the annual <sup>222</sup>Rn cycle.http://www.atmos-chem-phys.net/14/3843/2014/acp-14-3843-2014.pdf |
| spellingShingle | R. Weller I. Levin D. Schmithüsen M. Nachbar J. Asseng D. Wagenbach On the variability of atmospheric <sup>222</sup>Rn activity concentrations measured at Neumayer, coastal Antarctica Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics |
| title | On the variability of atmospheric <sup>222</sup>Rn activity concentrations measured at Neumayer, coastal Antarctica |
| title_full | On the variability of atmospheric <sup>222</sup>Rn activity concentrations measured at Neumayer, coastal Antarctica |
| title_fullStr | On the variability of atmospheric <sup>222</sup>Rn activity concentrations measured at Neumayer, coastal Antarctica |
| title_full_unstemmed | On the variability of atmospheric <sup>222</sup>Rn activity concentrations measured at Neumayer, coastal Antarctica |
| title_short | On the variability of atmospheric <sup>222</sup>Rn activity concentrations measured at Neumayer, coastal Antarctica |
| title_sort | on the variability of atmospheric sup 222 sup rn activity concentrations measured at neumayer coastal antarctica |
| url | http://www.atmos-chem-phys.net/14/3843/2014/acp-14-3843-2014.pdf |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT rweller onthevariabilityofatmosphericsup222suprnactivityconcentrationsmeasuredatneumayercoastalantarctica AT ilevin onthevariabilityofatmosphericsup222suprnactivityconcentrationsmeasuredatneumayercoastalantarctica AT dschmithusen onthevariabilityofatmosphericsup222suprnactivityconcentrationsmeasuredatneumayercoastalantarctica AT mnachbar onthevariabilityofatmosphericsup222suprnactivityconcentrationsmeasuredatneumayercoastalantarctica AT jasseng onthevariabilityofatmosphericsup222suprnactivityconcentrationsmeasuredatneumayercoastalantarctica AT dwagenbach onthevariabilityofatmosphericsup222suprnactivityconcentrationsmeasuredatneumayercoastalantarctica |