Search

Abstract: Results for naturally occurring 7Be, 210Pb, 40K, 214Bi, 214Pb, 212Pb, 228Ac and 208Tl and anthropogenic 137Cs in airborne particulate matter in the Barcelona area during the period from January 2001 to December 2005 are presented and discussed. The 212Pb and 208Tl, 214Bi and 214Pb, 7Be and 210Pb radionuclide levels showed a significant correlation with each other, with correlation coefficients of 0.99, 0.78 and 0.69, respectively, suggesting similar origin/behaviour of these radionuclides in the air. Caessium-137 and Potassium-40 were transported to the air as resuspended particle from the soil. The 7Be and 210Pb concentrations showed similar seasonal variations, with a tendency for maximum concentrations during the summer months. An inverse relationship was observed between the 7Be, 210Pb, 40K and 137Cs concentrations and weekly rainfall, indicating washout of atmospheric aerosols carrying these radionuclides. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The activity median aerodynamic diameters (AMADs) of long-lived radon decay product (210Pb, 210Po) in aerosols collected in the Barcelona area (Northeast Spain) during the period from April 2006 to February 2008 are presented. The 210Po mean AMAD was 420nm, while the 210Pb mean AMAD was 500nm. The temporal evolution of 210Pb and 210Po AMADs shows maxima in autumn and winter and minima in spring and summer. 210Pb AMAD are being used to estimate the mean-residence time of atmospheric aerosols. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]