Analysis of radon origin by backward atmospheric transport modelling

Abstract

This work shows how ambient radon concentrations measured at Cabauw station in central Netherlands are influenced by transport from different regions under typical transport conditions occurring during April and November, 2007 by means of atmospheric Lagrangian particle dispersion modelling in a receptor-oriented approach. Four specific regions have been isolated to assess their contribution to the modelled radon ambient concentrations at Cabauw, and two different radon flux assumptions. Westerly flows coming from the ocean are poor in radon and do not increase radon air concentrations unless there is some fetch over the British Isles. Continental transport, mainly from eastern and southern Europe, significantly increases radon background concentrations, reaching increments of 3 Bq m-3. A constant 0.66 atoms cm-2 s-1 radon flux over land and zero over water bodies is a good approximation for the source term in order to study regional contributions and modulation of the radon background.