Results of continuous measurements of radon and its decay products in the lower atmosphere

Abstract

With a new continuous measurement method, the radon content of the atmosphere at different levels above ground between 0.5 and 4 m was recorded at Aachen, Germany. Evaluation of simultaneous measurements of the radon daughters with a stepwise progressive filter (Schrittfilter) showed a close relation between radon and its daughters and the meteorological factors at the measuring place. Questions discussed in the paper include the daily variations of the radon concentration in relation to the exchange (Austausch), the radioactive equilibrium of radon and its daughters at different heights, and influences of the wind direction. It was found that during temperature inversions the concentration of radon and its daughters was enlarged whilst on overcast days the mean daily variation of both the radon and the radon daughter concentration was smaller. Moreover, the radon and thoron daughters were correlated with the dust content of the air.DOI: 10.1111/j.2153-3490.1966.tb00280.x