Relation between Ce¹⁴⁴ and Sr⁹⁰ Rainout in convective rainstorms

Abstract

Analyses were made of the time and space distribution of the concentrations of Ce¹⁴⁴ and Sr⁹⁰ in 1963 convective storms in Illinois through use of a network of 16 automatic rainwater samplers operated in conjunction with recording raingages and weather radar sets. Great space and time variability were found in the Ce¹⁴⁴/Sr⁹⁰ ratio in these storms. A relatively strong trend was found for the above ratio to decrease during the life of storms. A relatively weak trend was noted for the average ratio of Ce¹⁴⁴/Sr⁹⁰ to decrease with increasing amounts of total storm rainfall. Implications of these findings are discussed.