A new method of continuous measurements of radon (Rn22) and thoron (Rn220) in the atmosphere

H. Israȅl; G. W. Israȅl

doi:10.3402/tellusa.v18i2-3.9345

A new method of continuous measurements of radon (Rn22) and thoron (Rn220) in the atmosphere

Tellus

Volume 18 (1966): Issue 2-3

By: H. Israȅl and G. W. Israȅl

Open Access

|Jan 1966

Abstract

To achieve continuous measurements, an aspiration process was developed, permitting a direct measurement of the radon (Rn222) and thoron (Rn220) contributions to the ionization. After passing through a filter that holds back all aerosols and radon and thoron daughter ions, the air streams through an approximately 300 liter ionization chamber. The current, measured with a vibrating reed electrometer, is composed of three parts: background, radon contribution and thoron contribution, with each component resolved by appropriate methods. The sensitivity limit amounts to some 0,8·10−14 c/1 for radon and 0,5·10−14 c/1 for thoron with a resolution time of about 220 sec. This report deals with the principle of measurement and its use for the determination of the radon and thoron content of the lower atmosphere. DOI: 10.1111/j.2153-3490.1966.tb00269.x

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