The use of natural radioactive tracers in a study of atmospheric residence times

C. Rangarajan; C. D. Eapen

doi:10.3402/tellusb.v42i1.15198

The use of natural radioactive tracers in a study of atmospheric residence times

Tellus B: Chemical and Physical Meteorology

Volume 42 (1990): Issue 1

By: C. Rangarajan and C. D. Eapen

Open Access

|Jan 1990

Abstract

The global values of the activity ratios of ⁷Be/³²P, ⁷Be/³⁵S, and ⁷Be/²²Na are presented and discussed. The wide range of variations of these observed ratios and residence times derived from them indicate a varying input of a stratospheric component of these isotopes. This shows that the troposphere is not a closed system and residence times calculated from the above ratios are likely to be larger than the actual values. More consistent results are obtained for tropospheric residence times based on ²¹⁰Bi/²¹⁰Pb activity ratios from various locations. The ⁷Be/³⁵S ratios are lower than the expected ratios by a factor of 2 to 3, calculated from cosmic ray production values, indicating other sources like bomb production. Since the ratios are less even during periods of low fallout activity, another source, such as graphite reactors is a possibility.

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