Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics
www.atmos-chem-phys.net
1680-7316
1680-7324
7
18
2007
10.5194/acp-7-5003-2007
http://www.atmos-chem-phys.net/7/5003/2007/
http://www.atmos-chem-phys.net/7/5003/2007/acp-7-5003-2007.html
http://www.atmos-chem-phys.net/7/5003/2007/acp-7-5003-2007.pdf
5003
5019
2007-09-28
The diurnal evolution of <sup>222</sup>Rn and its progeny in the atmospheric boundary layer during the Wangara experiment
J.-F. Vinuesa
jeff.vinuesa@jrc.it
S. Basu
S. Galmarini
European Commission – DG Joint Research Centre, Institute for Environment and Sustainability, 21020 Ispra, Italy
Atmospheric Science Group – Department of Geosciences and Wind Science and Engineering Research Center, Texas Tech University, USA
The diurnal atmospheric boundary layer evolution of the <sup>222</sup>Rn decaying
family is studied using a state-of-the-art large-eddy simulation model. In
particular, a diurnal cycle observed during the Wangara experiment is
successfully simulated together with the effect of diurnal varying turbulent
characteristics on radioactive compounds initially in a secular equilibrium.
This study allows us to clearly analyze and identify the boundary layer
processes driving the behaviour of <sup>222</sup>Rn and its progeny concentrations.
An activity disequilibrium is observed in the nocturnal boundary layer due to
the proximity of the radon source and the trapping of fresh <sup>222</sup>Rn close
to the surface induced by the weak vertical transport. During the morning
transition, the secular equilibrium is fast restored by the vigorous
turbulent mixing. The evolution of <sup>222</sup>Rn and its progeny concentrations
in the unsteady growing convective boundary layer depends on the strength of
entrainment events.
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