Abstract
For a ground-level continuous release of a trace substance like 222Rn, for which the vertical profile of concentrations is exponential, a quantity, ‘equivalent mixing height’ h, is defined in this paper in the following way. If the substance were to be redistributed uniformly through a layer such that the concentration were to be equal to that at the surface, then the top of the layer would be h.
Relative values of h can be obtained from surface measurements of Radon concentrations, but absolute values require estimates of the vertical fluxes of Radon. A comparison is given of the estimates of h obtained from surface measurements with estimates derived from the vertical profile of Radon from the surface to 100 m.
Practical methods are proposed for estimating the surface flux of Rn.
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Fontan, J., Guedalia, D., Druilhet, A. et al. Une methode de mesure de la stabilite verticale de l'atmosphere pres du sol. Boundary-Layer Meteorol 17, 3–14 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00121933
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00121933