Correlation between air radioactivity and air masses in greece during the period 1964-1972

Abstract

Daily radioactivity measurements of air samples collected in Athens, Greece, have been performed continuously since 1964. Correlation of such determinations with meteorological data has resulted in some interesting conclusions. The atmospheric nuclear testing of the early 1960s caused elevation levels of air radioactivity in Athens. The highest annual value for air radioactivity in this study was for 1964 when the value was 1.06 pCi/m3. A general decrease in air radioactivity was noted ensuing years with the mean annual value dropping to 0.12pC i/m3for 1972. Correlations of daily air radioactivity determinations with meteorological data have shown that movements and origins of surface air masses result in changes in air radioactivity levels. Mediterranean air masses or masses of air arriving by a Mediterranean pathway seem to carry more radioactive material than other pathways studied. An inverse correlation was found between the frequency of air mass variations and quantity of radioactive material, i.e. the lower frequency air mass variations tend to carry larger amounts of radioactive material. © 1975 Health Physics Society