Portable two-filter dual-flow-loop 222Rn detector: stand-alone monitor and calibration transfer device
Environmental Research, ANSTO, Lucas Heights, 2234, Australia
Alan D. Griffiths
Environmental Research, ANSTO, Lucas Heights, 2234, Australia
Alastair G. Williams
Environmental Research, ANSTO, Lucas Heights, 2234, Australia
Ot Sisoutham
Environmental Research, ANSTO, Lucas Heights, 2234, Australia
Viacheslav Morosh
Ionizing Radiation, Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt,
Braunschweig, 38116, Germany
Stefan Röttger
Ionizing Radiation, Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt,
Braunschweig, 38116, Germany
Florian Mertes
Ionizing Radiation, Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt,
Braunschweig, 38116, Germany
Annette Röttger
Ionizing Radiation, Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt,
Braunschweig, 38116, Germany
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Dafina Kikaj, Edward Chung, Alan D. Griffiths, Scott D. Chambers, Grant Foster, Angelina Wenger, Penelope Pickers, Chris Rennick, Simon O'Doherty, Joseph Pitt, Kieran Stanley, Dickon Young, Leigh S. Fleming, Karina Adcock, and Tim Arnold
Atmos. Meas. Tech. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-2024-54, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-2024-54, 2024
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We present a protocol to enhance confidence in reported atmospheric radon measurements, enabling direct comparisons between sites and integration with GHG measurements. Radon, a natural atmospheric tracer, provides an independent evaluation of transport model performance. The standardized approach ensures radon's use as a metric for model evaluation. Applicable beyond UK observatories, this protocol can benefit larger networks like ICOS or GAW, advancing atmospheric studies worldwide.
Claudia Grossi, Daniel Rabago, Scott Chambers, Carlos Sáinz, Roger Curcoll, Peter P. S. Otáhal, Eliška Fialová, Luis Quindos, and Arturo Vargas
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Ruhi S. Humphries, Melita D. Keywood, Jason P. Ward, James Harnwell, Simon P. Alexander, Andrew R. Klekociuk, Keiichiro Hara, Ian M. McRobert, Alain Protat, Joel Alroe, Luke T. Cravigan, Branka Miljevic, Zoran D. Ristovski, Robyn Schofield, Stephen R. Wilson, Connor J. Flynn, Gourihar R. Kulkarni, Gerald G. Mace, Greg M. McFarquhar, Scott D. Chambers, Alastair G. Williams, and Alan D. Griffiths
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 3749–3777, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-3749-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-3749-2023, 2023
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Observations of aerosols in pristine regions are rare but are vital to constraining the natural baseline from which climate simulations are calculated. Here we present recent seasonal observations of aerosols from the Southern Ocean and contrast them with measurements from Antarctica, Australia and regionally relevant voyages. Strong seasonal cycles persist, but striking differences occur at different latitudes. This study highlights the need for more long-term observations in remote regions.
Sonya L. Fiddes, Matthew T. Woodhouse, Steve Utembe, Robyn Schofield, Simon P. Alexander, Joel Alroe, Scott D. Chambers, Zhenyi Chen, Luke Cravigan, Erin Dunne, Ruhi S. Humphries, Graham Johnson, Melita D. Keywood, Todd P. Lane, Branka Miljevic, Yuko Omori, Alain Protat, Zoran Ristovski, Paul Selleck, Hilton B. Swan, Hiroshi Tanimoto, Jason P. Ward, and Alastair G. Williams
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 2419–2445, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-2419-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-2419-2022, 2022
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Coral reefs have been found to produce the climatically relevant chemical compound dimethyl sulfide (DMS). It has been suggested that corals can modify their environment via the production of DMS. We use an atmospheric chemistry model to test this theory at a regional scale for the first time. We find that it is unlikely that coral-reef-derived DMS has an influence over local climate, in part due to the proximity to terrestrial and anthropogenic aerosol sources.
Jack B. Simmons, Ruhi S. Humphries, Stephen R. Wilson, Scott D. Chambers, Alastair G. Williams, Alan D. Griffiths, Ian M. McRobert, Jason P. Ward, Melita D. Keywood, and Sean Gribben
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 9497–9513, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-9497-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-9497-2021, 2021
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Bo Zhang, Hongyu Liu, James H. Crawford, Gao Chen, T. Duncan Fairlie, Scott Chambers, Chang-Hee Kang, Alastair G. Williams, Kai Zhang, David B. Considine, Melissa P. Sulprizio, and Robert M. Yantosca
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 1861–1887, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-1861-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-1861-2021, 2021
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Joel Alroe, Luke T. Cravigan, Branka Miljevic, Graham R. Johnson, Paul Selleck, Ruhi S. Humphries, Melita D. Keywood, Scott D. Chambers, Alastair G. Williams, and Zoran D. Ristovski
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 8047–8062, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-8047-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-8047-2020, 2020
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Claudia Grossi, Scott D. Chambers, Olivier Llido, Felix R. Vogel, Victor Kazan, Alessandro Capuana, Sylvester Werczynski, Roger Curcoll, Marc Delmotte, Arturo Vargas, Josep-Anton Morguí, Ingeborg Levin, and Michel Ramonet
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 13, 2241–2255, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-13-2241-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-13-2241-2020, 2020
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The sustainable support of radon metrology at the environmental level offers new scientific possibilities for the quantification of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the determination of their source terms as well as for the identification of radioactive sources for the assessment of radiation exposure. This study helps to harmonize the techniques commonly used for atmospheric radon and radon progeny activity concentration measurements.
Melita Keywood, Paul Selleck, Fabienne Reisen, David Cohen, Scott Chambers, Min Cheng, Martin Cope, Suzanne Crumeyrolle, Erin Dunne, Kathryn Emmerson, Rosemary Fedele, Ian Galbally, Rob Gillett, Alan Griffiths, Elise-Andree Guerette, James Harnwell, Ruhi Humphries, Sarah Lawson, Branka Miljevic, Suzie Molloy, Jennifer Powell, Jack Simmons, Zoran Ristovski, and Jason Ward
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 11, 1883–1903, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-11-1883-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-11-1883-2019, 2019
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Dafina Kikaj, Janja Vaupotič, and Scott D. Chambers
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 12, 4455–4477, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-12-4455-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-12-4455-2019, 2019
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Ann R. Stavert, Rachel M. Law, Marcel van der Schoot, Ray L. Langenfelds, Darren A. Spencer, Paul B. Krummel, Scott D. Chambers, Alistair G. Williams, Sylvester Werczynski, Roger J. Francey, and Russell T. Howden
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 12, 1103–1121, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-12-1103-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-12-1103-2019, 2019
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Marc D. Mallet, Maximilien J. Desservettaz, Branka Miljevic, Andelija Milic, Zoran D. Ristovski, Joel Alroe, Luke T. Cravigan, E. Rohan Jayaratne, Clare Paton-Walsh, David W. T. Griffith, Stephen R. Wilson, Graham Kettlewell, Marcel V. van der Schoot, Paul Selleck, Fabienne Reisen, Sarah J. Lawson, Jason Ward, James Harnwell, Min Cheng, Rob W. Gillett, Suzie B. Molloy, Dean Howard, Peter F. Nelson, Anthony L. Morrison, Grant C. Edwards, Alastair G. Williams, Scott D. Chambers, Sylvester Werczynski, Leah R. Williams, V. Holly L. Winton, Brad Atkinson, Xianyu Wang, and Melita D. Keywood
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Dean Howard, Peter F. Nelson, Grant C. Edwards, Anthony L. Morrison, Jenny A. Fisher, Jason Ward, James Harnwell, Marcel van der Schoot, Brad Atkinson, Scott D. Chambers, Alan D. Griffiths, Sylvester Werczynski, and Alastair G. Williams
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17, 11623–11636, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-11623-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-11623-2017, 2017
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Clare Paton-Walsh, Élise-Andrée Guérette, Dagmar Kubistin, Ruhi Humphries, Stephen R. Wilson, Doreena Dominick, Ian Galbally, Rebecca Buchholz, Mahendra Bhujel, Scott Chambers, Min Cheng, Martin Cope, Perry Davy, Kathryn Emmerson, David W. T. Griffith, Alan Griffiths, Melita Keywood, Sarah Lawson, Suzie Molloy, Géraldine Rea, Paul Selleck, Xue Shi, Jack Simmons, and Voltaire Velazco
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 9, 349–362, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-9-349-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-9-349-2017, 2017
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Dominik Schmithüsen, Scott Chambers, Bernd Fischer, Stefan Gilge, Juha Hatakka, Victor Kazan, Rolf Neubert, Jussi Paatero, Michel Ramonet, Clemens Schlosser, Sabine Schmid, Alex Vermeulen, and Ingeborg Levin
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 10, 1299–1312, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-10-1299-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-10-1299-2017, 2017
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A European-wide 222radon/222radon progeny comparison study has been conducted at nine measurement stations in order to determine differences between existing 222radon instrumentation and atmospheric data sets, respectively. Mean differences up to 45 % were found between monitors. These differences need to be taken into account if the data shall serve for quantitative regional atmospheric transport model validation.
V. Holly L. Winton, Ross Edwards, Andrew R. Bowie, Melita Keywood, Alistair G. Williams, Scott D. Chambers, Paul W. Selleck, Maximilien Desservettaz, Marc D. Mallet, and Clare Paton-Walsh
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 16, 12829–12848, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-12829-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-12829-2016, 2016
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The deposition of soluble aerosol iron (Fe) can initiate nitrogen fixation and trigger toxic algal blooms in nitrate-poor tropical waters. We present dry season soluble Fe data from northern Australia that reflect coincident dust and biomass burning sources of soluble Fe. Our results show that while biomass burning species are not a direct source of soluble Fe, biomass burning may substantially enhance the solubility of mineral dust with fractional Fe solubility up to 12 % in mixed aerosols.
Alan D. Griffiths, Scott D. Chambers, Alastair G. Williams, and Sylvester Werczynski
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 9, 2689–2707, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-9-2689-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-9-2689-2016, 2016
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Surface-based two-filter radon detectors monitor the ambient concentration of atmospheric radon-222, a natural tracer of mixing and transport. They are sensitive, but respond slowly to ambient changes in radon concentration. In this paper, a deconvolution method is used to successfully correct observations for the instrument response. Case studies demonstrate that it is beneficial, sometimes necessary, to account for the detector response, especially when studying near-surface mixing.
R. Locatelli, P. Bousquet, F. Hourdin, M. Saunois, A. Cozic, F. Couvreux, J.-Y. Grandpeix, M.-P. Lefebvre, C. Rio, P. Bergamaschi, S. D. Chambers, U. Karstens, V. Kazan, S. van der Laan, H. A. J. Meijer, J. Moncrieff, M. Ramonet, H. A. Scheeren, C. Schlosser, M. Schmidt, A. Vermeulen, and A. G. Williams
Geosci. Model Dev., 8, 129–150, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-8-129-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-8-129-2015, 2015
S. D. Chambers, A. G. Williams, J. Crawford, and A. D. Griffiths
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 15, 1175–1190, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-1175-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-1175-2015, 2015
Z. M. Loh, R. M. Law, K. D. Haynes, P. B. Krummel, L. P. Steele, P. J. Fraser, S. D. Chambers, and A. G. Williams
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 15, 305–317, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-305-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-305-2015, 2015
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The paper compares methane observations at Cape Grim, Tasmania, with model-simulated methane to better constrain methane fluxes from southeastern Australia. Inventory estimates of anthropogenic methane emissions appear to be supported by observed atmospheric methane. A missing methane source in springtime (October to November) is tentatively attributed to wetland emissions.
A. D. Griffiths, F. Conen, E. Weingartner, L. Zimmermann, S. D. Chambers, A. G. Williams, and M. Steinbacher
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 14, 12763–12779, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-12763-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-12763-2014, 2014
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Radon detectors at Bern and Jungfraujoch were used to monitor the transport of radon-rich boundary layer air from the Swiss Plateau to the Alpine ridge. Radon was successfully used to discriminate between different types of vertical transport, using the shape of the diurnal cycle to identify days with upslope mountain winds. For many air-mass properties, however, the total land-surface influence (indicated by the radon concentration) was more decisive than the type of vertical transport.
T. P. C. van Noije, P. Le Sager, A. J. Segers, P. F. J. van Velthoven, M. C. Krol, W. Hazeleger, A. G. Williams, and S. D. Chambers
Geosci. Model Dev., 7, 2435–2475, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-7-2435-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-7-2435-2014, 2014
S. D. Chambers, S.-B. Hong, A. G. Williams, J. Crawford, A. D. Griffiths, and S.-J. Park
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 14, 9903–9916, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-9903-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-9903-2014, 2014
A. D. Griffiths, S. D. Parkes, S. D. Chambers, M. F. McCabe, and A. G. Williams
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 6, 207–218, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-6-207-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-6-207-2013, 2013
Tahereh Alinejadtabrizi, Yi Huang, Francisco Lang, Steven Siems, Michael Manton, Luis Ackermann, Melita Keywood, Ruhi Humphries, Paul Krummel, Alastair Williams, and Greg Ayers
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2397, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-2397, 2024
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Our research explores how weather patterns affect cloud-forming particles (CCN) over the Southern Ocean, crucial for more accurately simulate the Earth's climate. We discovered that winter and summer weather systems significantly influence CCN levels. By analysing air mass trajectories and precipitation, we identified a seasonal cycle in CCN driven by synoptic meteorology. This work enhances climate predictions by improving our understanding of cloud-aerosol interactions in this remote region.
Dafina Kikaj, Edward Chung, Alan D. Griffiths, Scott D. Chambers, Grant Foster, Angelina Wenger, Penelope Pickers, Chris Rennick, Simon O'Doherty, Joseph Pitt, Kieran Stanley, Dickon Young, Leigh S. Fleming, Karina Adcock, and Tim Arnold
Atmos. Meas. Tech. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-2024-54, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-2024-54, 2024
Revised manuscript accepted for AMT
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We present a protocol to enhance confidence in reported atmospheric radon measurements, enabling direct comparisons between sites and integration with GHG measurements. Radon, a natural atmospheric tracer, provides an independent evaluation of transport model performance. The standardized approach ensures radon's use as a metric for model evaluation. Applicable beyond UK observatories, this protocol can benefit larger networks like ICOS or GAW, advancing atmospheric studies worldwide.
Roger Curcoll, Claudia Grossi, Stefan Röttger, and Arturo Vargas
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 17, 3047–3065, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-3047-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-3047-2024, 2024
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This paper presents a new user-friendly version of the Atmospheric Radon MONitor (ARMON). The efficiency of the instrument is of 0.0057 s-1, obtained using different techniques at Spanish and German chambers. The total calculated uncertainty of the ARMON for hourly radon concentrations above 5 Bq m-3 is lower than 10 % (k = 1). Results confirm that the ARMON is suitable to measure low-level radon activity concentrations and to be used as a transfer standard to calibrate in situ radon monitors.
Tanita J. Ballé, Stefan Röttger, Florian Mertes, Anja Honig, Petr Kovar, Petr P. S. Otáhal, and Annette Röttger
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 17, 2055–2065, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-2055-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-17-2055-2024, 2024
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Over 50 % of naturally occurring radiation exposure is due to 222Rn (progenies), but traceability of measurements to the International System of Units (SI) is lacking. To address this, two new 222Rn sources were developed to be used as calibration standards for reference instruments. These sources were investigated by comparing their estimated calibration factors for one instrument. Despite the small differences derived, all uncertainties are well within the intended target uncertainty of 10 %.
Claudia Grossi, Daniel Rabago, Scott Chambers, Carlos Sáinz, Roger Curcoll, Peter P. S. Otáhal, Eliška Fialová, Luis Quindos, and Arturo Vargas
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 16, 2655–2672, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-2655-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-2655-2023, 2023
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The automatic and low-maintenance radon flux system Autoflux, completed with environmental soil and atmosphere sensors, has been theoretically and experimentally characterized and calibrated under laboratory conditions to be used as transfer standard for in situ measurements. It will offer for the first time long-term measurements to validate radon flux maps used by the climate and the radiation protection communities for assessing the radon gas emissions in the atmosphere.
Florian Mertes, Stefan Röttger, and Annette Röttger
J. Sens. Sens. Syst., 12, 147–161, https://doi.org/10.5194/jsss-12-147-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/jsss-12-147-2023, 2023
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In this work, a novel approach to deduce the release of the natural radioactive noble gas 222Rn from solid sources containing the isotope 226Ra is presented. Therein, supporting radioactivity measurements of the source are used in conjunction with a theoretical description of the dynamics. For radiation protection and environmental research, reliable and comparable 222Rn measurements, and therefore reference atmospheres of 222Rn, are needed. This work improves their realization.
Ruhi S. Humphries, Melita D. Keywood, Jason P. Ward, James Harnwell, Simon P. Alexander, Andrew R. Klekociuk, Keiichiro Hara, Ian M. McRobert, Alain Protat, Joel Alroe, Luke T. Cravigan, Branka Miljevic, Zoran D. Ristovski, Robyn Schofield, Stephen R. Wilson, Connor J. Flynn, Gourihar R. Kulkarni, Gerald G. Mace, Greg M. McFarquhar, Scott D. Chambers, Alastair G. Williams, and Alan D. Griffiths
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 3749–3777, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-3749-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-3749-2023, 2023
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Observations of aerosols in pristine regions are rare but are vital to constraining the natural baseline from which climate simulations are calculated. Here we present recent seasonal observations of aerosols from the Southern Ocean and contrast them with measurements from Antarctica, Australia and regionally relevant voyages. Strong seasonal cycles persist, but striking differences occur at different latitudes. This study highlights the need for more long-term observations in remote regions.
Peter Sperlich, Gordon W. Brailsford, Rowena C. Moss, John McGregor, Ross J. Martin, Sylvia Nichol, Sara Mikaloff-Fletcher, Beata Bukosa, Magda Mandic, C. Ian Schipper, Paul Krummel, and Alan D. Griffiths
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 15, 1631–1656, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-1631-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-1631-2022, 2022
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We tested an in situ analyser for carbon and oxygen isotopes in atmospheric CO2 at Baring Head, New Zealand’s observatory for Southern Ocean baseline air. The analyser was able to resolve regional signals of the terrestrial carbon cycle, although the analysis of small events was limited by analytical uncertainty. Further improvement of the instrument performance would be desirable for the robust analysis of distant signals and to resolve the small variability in Southern Ocean baseline air.
Stefan Röttger, Annette Röttger, Claudia Grossi, Arturo Vargas, Ute Karstens, Giorgia Cinelli, Edward Chung, Dafina Kikaj, Chris Rennick, Florian Mertes, and Ileana Radulescu
Adv. Geosci., 57, 37–47, https://doi.org/10.5194/adgeo-57-37-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/adgeo-57-37-2022, 2022
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Radon gas is the largest source of public exposure to naturally occurring radioactivity. Radon can also be used, as a tracer to improve indirectly the estimates of greenhouse gases important for supporting successful GHG mitigation strategies.
Both climate and radiation protection research communities need improved traceable low-level atmospheric radon measurements. The EMPIR project 19ENV01 traceRadon started to provide the necessary measurement infrastructure and transfer standards.
Zhenyi Chen, Robyn Schofield, Melita Keywood, Sam Cleland, Alastair G. Williams, Alan Griffiths, Stephen Wilson, Peter Rayner, and Xiaowen Shu
Atmos. Chem. Phys. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-2022-104, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-2022-104, 2022
Revised manuscript not accepted
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This study studied the marine boundary layer (MBL) process and aerosol properties in the Southern Ocean using miniMPL, ceilometer and sodar. Compared to the gradient method, the Image Edge Detection Algorithm provides more reliable boundary layer height estimations, especially when a convective MBL with stratification existed. The diurnal characteristic of BLH with the veering of the wind vector was also observed. Under the continental sources, the MBL maintained a well-mixed layer of 0.3 km.
Sonya L. Fiddes, Matthew T. Woodhouse, Steve Utembe, Robyn Schofield, Simon P. Alexander, Joel Alroe, Scott D. Chambers, Zhenyi Chen, Luke Cravigan, Erin Dunne, Ruhi S. Humphries, Graham Johnson, Melita D. Keywood, Todd P. Lane, Branka Miljevic, Yuko Omori, Alain Protat, Zoran Ristovski, Paul Selleck, Hilton B. Swan, Hiroshi Tanimoto, Jason P. Ward, and Alastair G. Williams
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 2419–2445, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-2419-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-2419-2022, 2022
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Coral reefs have been found to produce the climatically relevant chemical compound dimethyl sulfide (DMS). It has been suggested that corals can modify their environment via the production of DMS. We use an atmospheric chemistry model to test this theory at a regional scale for the first time. We find that it is unlikely that coral-reef-derived DMS has an influence over local climate, in part due to the proximity to terrestrial and anthropogenic aerosol sources.
Annette Röttger, Attila Veres, Vladimir Sochor, Massimo Pinto, Michal Derlacinski, Mihail-Razvan Ioan, Amra Sabeta, Robert Bernat, Christelle Adam-Guillermin, João Henrique Gracia Alves, Denis Glavič-Cindro, Steven Bell, Britt Wens, Linda Persson, Miloš Živanović, and Reetta Nylund
Adv. Geosci., 57, 1–7, https://doi.org/10.5194/adgeo-57-1-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/adgeo-57-1-2021, 2021
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The goal of the EMN is a harmonized, sustainable, coordinated and intelligently specialized infrastructure to support the needs expressed in the European Radiation Protection Ordinance. Such an EMN under the umbrella of EURAMET is in the founding phase and is being prepared in parallel by the EMPIR project 19NET03 supportBSS with five technical work packages. EURAMET is the Regional Metrology Organisation (RMO) of Europe. The EMN was established by signature on 16 September 2021.
Jack B. Simmons, Ruhi S. Humphries, Stephen R. Wilson, Scott D. Chambers, Alastair G. Williams, Alan D. Griffiths, Ian M. McRobert, Jason P. Ward, Melita D. Keywood, and Sean Gribben
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 9497–9513, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-9497-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-9497-2021, 2021
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Aerosols have a climate forcing effect in the Earth's atmosphere. Few measurements exist of aerosols in the Southern Ocean, a region key to our understanding of this effect. In this study, aerosol measurements from a summer 2017 campaign in the East Antarctic seasonal ice zone are examined. Higher concentrations of aerosols were found in dry air with origins from above the Antarctic continent compared to other periods of the voyage.
Bo Zhang, Hongyu Liu, James H. Crawford, Gao Chen, T. Duncan Fairlie, Scott Chambers, Chang-Hee Kang, Alastair G. Williams, Kai Zhang, David B. Considine, Melissa P. Sulprizio, and Robert M. Yantosca
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 1861–1887, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-1861-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-1861-2021, 2021
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We simulate atmospheric 222Rn using the GEOS-Chem model to improve understanding of 222Rn emissions and characterize convective transport in the model. We demonstrate the potential of a customized global 222Rn emission scenario to improve simulated surface 222Rn concentrations and seasonality. We assess convective transport using observed 222Rn vertical profiles. Results have important implications for using chemical transport models to interpret the transport of trace gases and aerosols.
Joel Alroe, Luke T. Cravigan, Branka Miljevic, Graham R. Johnson, Paul Selleck, Ruhi S. Humphries, Melita D. Keywood, Scott D. Chambers, Alastair G. Williams, and Zoran D. Ristovski
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 8047–8062, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-8047-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-8047-2020, 2020
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We present findings from an austral summer voyage across the full latitudinal width of the Southern Ocean, south of Australia. Aerosol properties were strongly influenced by marine biological activity, synoptic-scale weather systems, and long-range transport of continental-influenced air masses. The meteorological history of the sampled air masses is shown to have a vital limiting influence on cloud condensation nuclei and the accuracy of modelled sea spray aerosol concentrations.
Claudia Grossi, Scott D. Chambers, Olivier Llido, Felix R. Vogel, Victor Kazan, Alessandro Capuana, Sylvester Werczynski, Roger Curcoll, Marc Delmotte, Arturo Vargas, Josep-Anton Morguí, Ingeborg Levin, and Michel Ramonet
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 13, 2241–2255, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-13-2241-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-13-2241-2020, 2020
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The sustainable support of radon metrology at the environmental level offers new scientific possibilities for the quantification of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the determination of their source terms as well as for the identification of radioactive sources for the assessment of radiation exposure. This study helps to harmonize the techniques commonly used for atmospheric radon and radon progeny activity concentration measurements.
Melita Keywood, Paul Selleck, Fabienne Reisen, David Cohen, Scott Chambers, Min Cheng, Martin Cope, Suzanne Crumeyrolle, Erin Dunne, Kathryn Emmerson, Rosemary Fedele, Ian Galbally, Rob Gillett, Alan Griffiths, Elise-Andree Guerette, James Harnwell, Ruhi Humphries, Sarah Lawson, Branka Miljevic, Suzie Molloy, Jennifer Powell, Jack Simmons, Zoran Ristovski, and Jason Ward
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 11, 1883–1903, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-11-1883-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-11-1883-2019, 2019
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The Sydney Particle Study increased scientific knowledge of the processes leading to particle formation and transformations in Sydney through two comprehensive observation programs which are described in detail here. The data set and its analysis underpin comprehensive chemical transport modelling tools that can be used to assist in the development of a long-term control strategy for particles in Sydney and thus reduce the impact of particles on human health.
Dafina Kikaj, Janja Vaupotič, and Scott D. Chambers
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 12, 4455–4477, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-12-4455-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-12-4455-2019, 2019
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A new method was developed to identify persistent temperature inversion events in a subalpine basin using a radon-based method (RBM). By comparing with an existing pseudo-vertical temperature gradient method, the RBM was shown to be more reliable and seasonally independent. The RBM has the potential to increase the understanding of meteorological controls on air pollution episodes in complex terrain beyond the capability of contemporary atmospheric stability classification tools.
Ann R. Stavert, Rachel M. Law, Marcel van der Schoot, Ray L. Langenfelds, Darren A. Spencer, Paul B. Krummel, Scott D. Chambers, Alistair G. Williams, Sylvester Werczynski, Roger J. Francey, and Russell T. Howden
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 12, 1103–1121, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-12-1103-2019, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-12-1103-2019, 2019
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The Southern Ocean is a key sink of carbon dioxide (CO2), but efforts to study trends in and the variability of the sink have been hindered by the limited number of CO2 measurements in this region. Here we describe a set of new in situ continuous (minutely) atmospheric CO2 observations. We show that this new record better captures long-term changes and seasonality than traditional 2-weekly flask records. As such, this data set will provide key insights into the changing Southern Ocean sink.
Marc D. Mallet, Maximilien J. Desservettaz, Branka Miljevic, Andelija Milic, Zoran D. Ristovski, Joel Alroe, Luke T. Cravigan, E. Rohan Jayaratne, Clare Paton-Walsh, David W. T. Griffith, Stephen R. Wilson, Graham Kettlewell, Marcel V. van der Schoot, Paul Selleck, Fabienne Reisen, Sarah J. Lawson, Jason Ward, James Harnwell, Min Cheng, Rob W. Gillett, Suzie B. Molloy, Dean Howard, Peter F. Nelson, Anthony L. Morrison, Grant C. Edwards, Alastair G. Williams, Scott D. Chambers, Sylvester Werczynski, Leah R. Williams, V. Holly L. Winton, Brad Atkinson, Xianyu Wang, and Melita D. Keywood
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17, 13681–13697, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-13681-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-13681-2017, 2017
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Fires play an important role within atmosphere. Gaseous and aerosol emissions influence Earth's temperature but these emissions can vary drastically across region and season. The SAFIRED (Savannah Fires in the Early Dry Season) campaign was undertaken at the Australian Tropical Research Station in north Australia during the 2014 early dry season. This paper presents an overview of the fires in this region, the measurements of their emissions and the implications of these fires on the atmosphere.
Dean Howard, Peter F. Nelson, Grant C. Edwards, Anthony L. Morrison, Jenny A. Fisher, Jason Ward, James Harnwell, Marcel van der Schoot, Brad Atkinson, Scott D. Chambers, Alan D. Griffiths, Sylvester Werczynski, and Alastair G. Williams
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 17, 11623–11636, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-11623-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-17-11623-2017, 2017
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Mercury, a toxic metal, can be transported globally through the atmosphere, with deposition to ecosystems an important pathway to human exposure. 2 years of atmospheric mercury monitoring in tropical Australia supports recent evidence that Southern Hemisphere concentrations are lower than previously thought. Exchange between the atmosphere and ecosystems can take place on daily scales, with night deposition offset by morning re-emission. This could be an important transport pathway for mercury.
Pauline C. Treble, Andy Baker, Linda K. Ayliffe, Timothy J. Cohen, John C. Hellstrom, Michael K. Gagan, Silvia Frisia, Russell N. Drysdale, Alan D. Griffiths, and Andrea Borsato
Clim. Past, 13, 667–687, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-13-667-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/cp-13-667-2017, 2017
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Little is known about the climate of southern Australia during the Last Glacial Maximum and deglaciation owing to sparse records for this region. We present the first high-resolution data, derived from speleothems that grew 23–5 ka. It appears that recharge to the Flinders Ranges was higher than today, particularly during 18.9–15.8 ka, argued to be due to the enhanced availability of tropical moisture. An abrupt shift to aridity is recorded at 15.8 ka, associated with restored westerly airflow.
Clare Paton-Walsh, Élise-Andrée Guérette, Dagmar Kubistin, Ruhi Humphries, Stephen R. Wilson, Doreena Dominick, Ian Galbally, Rebecca Buchholz, Mahendra Bhujel, Scott Chambers, Min Cheng, Martin Cope, Perry Davy, Kathryn Emmerson, David W. T. Griffith, Alan Griffiths, Melita Keywood, Sarah Lawson, Suzie Molloy, Géraldine Rea, Paul Selleck, Xue Shi, Jack Simmons, and Voltaire Velazco
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 9, 349–362, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-9-349-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-9-349-2017, 2017
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The MUMBA campaign provides a detailed snapshot of the atmospheric composition in an urban coastal environment with strong biogenic sources nearby. This campaign involved collaboration between several institutes and was undertaken to provide a case study for atmospheric models in a poorly sampled region of the globe.
Dominik Schmithüsen, Scott Chambers, Bernd Fischer, Stefan Gilge, Juha Hatakka, Victor Kazan, Rolf Neubert, Jussi Paatero, Michel Ramonet, Clemens Schlosser, Sabine Schmid, Alex Vermeulen, and Ingeborg Levin
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 10, 1299–1312, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-10-1299-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-10-1299-2017, 2017
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A European-wide 222radon/222radon progeny comparison study has been conducted at nine measurement stations in order to determine differences between existing 222radon instrumentation and atmospheric data sets, respectively. Mean differences up to 45 % were found between monitors. These differences need to be taken into account if the data shall serve for quantitative regional atmospheric transport model validation.
Stephen D. Parkes, Matthew F. McCabe, Alan D. Griffiths, Lixin Wang, Scott Chambers, Ali Ershadi, Alastair G. Williams, Josiah Strauss, and Adrian Element
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 21, 533–548, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-21-533-2017, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-21-533-2017, 2017
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Determining atmospheric moisture sources is required for understanding the water cycle. The role of land surface fluxes is a particular source of uncertainty for moisture budgets. Water vapour isotopes have the potential to improve constraints on moisture sources. In this work relationships between water vapour isotopes and land–atmosphere exchange are studied. Results show that land surface evaporative fluxes play a minor role in the daytime water and isotope budgets in semi-arid environments.
V. Holly L. Winton, Ross Edwards, Andrew R. Bowie, Melita Keywood, Alistair G. Williams, Scott D. Chambers, Paul W. Selleck, Maximilien Desservettaz, Marc D. Mallet, and Clare Paton-Walsh
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 16, 12829–12848, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-12829-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-16-12829-2016, 2016
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The deposition of soluble aerosol iron (Fe) can initiate nitrogen fixation and trigger toxic algal blooms in nitrate-poor tropical waters. We present dry season soluble Fe data from northern Australia that reflect coincident dust and biomass burning sources of soluble Fe. Our results show that while biomass burning species are not a direct source of soluble Fe, biomass burning may substantially enhance the solubility of mineral dust with fractional Fe solubility up to 12 % in mixed aerosols.
E. N. Koffi, P. Bergamaschi, U. Karstens, M. Krol, A. Segers, M. Schmidt, I. Levin, A. T. Vermeulen, R. E. Fisher, V. Kazan, H. Klein Baltink, D. Lowry, G. Manca, H. A. J. Meijer, J. Moncrieff, S. Pal, M. Ramonet, H. A. Scheeren, and A. G. Williams
Geosci. Model Dev., 9, 3137–3160, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-9-3137-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-9-3137-2016, 2016
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We evaluate the capability of the TM5 model to reproduce observations of the boundary layer dynamics and the associated variability of trace gases close to the surface, using 222Rn. Focusing on the European scale, we compare the TM5 boundary layer heights with observations from radiosondes, lidar, and ceilometer. Furthermore, we compare TM5 simulations of 222Rn activity concentrations, using a novel, process-based 222Rn flux map over Europe, with 222Rn harmonized measurements from 10 stations.
Alan D. Griffiths, Scott D. Chambers, Alastair G. Williams, and Sylvester Werczynski
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 9, 2689–2707, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-9-2689-2016, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-9-2689-2016, 2016
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Surface-based two-filter radon detectors monitor the ambient concentration of atmospheric radon-222, a natural tracer of mixing and transport. They are sensitive, but respond slowly to ambient changes in radon concentration. In this paper, a deconvolution method is used to successfully correct observations for the instrument response. Case studies demonstrate that it is beneficial, sometimes necessary, to account for the detector response, especially when studying near-surface mixing.
R. Locatelli, P. Bousquet, F. Hourdin, M. Saunois, A. Cozic, F. Couvreux, J.-Y. Grandpeix, M.-P. Lefebvre, C. Rio, P. Bergamaschi, S. D. Chambers, U. Karstens, V. Kazan, S. van der Laan, H. A. J. Meijer, J. Moncrieff, M. Ramonet, H. A. Scheeren, C. Schlosser, M. Schmidt, A. Vermeulen, and A. G. Williams
Geosci. Model Dev., 8, 129–150, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-8-129-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-8-129-2015, 2015
S. D. Chambers, A. G. Williams, J. Crawford, and A. D. Griffiths
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 15, 1175–1190, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-1175-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-1175-2015, 2015
Z. M. Loh, R. M. Law, K. D. Haynes, P. B. Krummel, L. P. Steele, P. J. Fraser, S. D. Chambers, and A. G. Williams
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 15, 305–317, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-305-2015, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-15-305-2015, 2015
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The paper compares methane observations at Cape Grim, Tasmania, with model-simulated methane to better constrain methane fluxes from southeastern Australia. Inventory estimates of anthropogenic methane emissions appear to be supported by observed atmospheric methane. A missing methane source in springtime (October to November) is tentatively attributed to wetland emissions.
A. D. Griffiths, F. Conen, E. Weingartner, L. Zimmermann, S. D. Chambers, A. G. Williams, and M. Steinbacher
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 14, 12763–12779, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-12763-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-12763-2014, 2014
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Radon detectors at Bern and Jungfraujoch were used to monitor the transport of radon-rich boundary layer air from the Swiss Plateau to the Alpine ridge. Radon was successfully used to discriminate between different types of vertical transport, using the shape of the diurnal cycle to identify days with upslope mountain winds. For many air-mass properties, however, the total land-surface influence (indicated by the radon concentration) was more decisive than the type of vertical transport.
T. P. C. van Noije, P. Le Sager, A. J. Segers, P. F. J. van Velthoven, M. C. Krol, W. Hazeleger, A. G. Williams, and S. D. Chambers
Geosci. Model Dev., 7, 2435–2475, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-7-2435-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-7-2435-2014, 2014
S. D. Chambers, S.-B. Hong, A. G. Williams, J. Crawford, A. D. Griffiths, and S.-J. Park
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 14, 9903–9916, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-9903-2014, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-9903-2014, 2014
A. D. Griffiths, S. D. Parkes, S. D. Chambers, M. F. McCabe, and A. G. Williams
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 6, 207–218, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-6-207-2013, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-6-207-2013, 2013
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Short summary
There is a growing need in health and climate research for high-quality radon observations. A variety of radon monitors, with different uncertainties, operate across global networks. Better compatibility between the measurements is required. Here we describe a novel, portable two-filter radon monitor with a calibration traceable to the International System of Units, and demonstrate the transfer of a traceable calibration from this instrument to a separate monitor under field conditions.
There is a growing need in health and climate research for high-quality radon observations. A...