Author(s)

U. Facchini & L. Sesana

Abstract

Atmospheric turbulence: Radon as a tracer of thermal and gravitational motions of the atmosphere U. Facchini, L. Sesana Institute of Physics, Milan, Italy 1 Introduction The study of the atmospheric turbulence is directly related to description and understanding of the atmospheric motions and is also of interest as far as the processes of transport and diffusion of gaseous and pollutants are concerned. Radon 222 is a natural radioactive tracer that can give information on atmosphere motions and on vertical turbulence, in particular. Two measurement stations were set up. One of which is located in Milan, the other is placed in the Lombard Prealps at an altitude of 800 metres. Instruments for the measurements of Radon 222 concentrations have been operating in these stations for more than one year. The measurements are performed on the outdoor and indoor atmosphere, and then at one metre depth in the ground. The measurement instruments are alpha and beta counters that detect the co

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