TRACER STUDIES OF THE ATMOSPHERE

Technical Report · Mon May 16 04:00:00 EDT 1960

OSTI ID:4060158

Kuroda, P K; Fry, L M; Hodges, H L

The nuclear test suspension period, which lasted for a period of approximately sixteen months starting in November 1958, provided an ideal opportunity to conduct tracer studies of the global movement of air masses. All rainfalls which occurred at Fayetteville, Arkansas, during the period November 1958 through February 1960 were sampled and analysed for Sr/sup 89/, Sr/sup 90/, and Ba/sup 140/. A st rixing similarity was observed between seasonal variations of ozone and Sr/sup 90/. The average Sr/sup 90/ content of the stratosphere decreased at a rate corresponding to an apparent stratospheric mean storage time of 12 to 24 months. Topics discussed include the global circulation of air masses, seasonal variation of Sr/sup 90/ concentration in rain, and the interpretation of radioisotope ratio data. The upward flow of air from the troposphere to the stratosphere near the equitorial region was studied following the injection of radioisotopes by the French atom bomb tests in the Sahara Desert on February 13, 1960. Preliminary data are included. (C.H.)

• Research Organization: Arkansas. Univ., Fayetteville
• NSA Number: NSA-15-014550
• OSTI ID: 4060158
• Report Number(s): TID-12336
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

AIR
ATMOSPHERE
BARIUM 140
DISTRIBUTION
GEOLOGY, MINERALOGY, AND METEOROLOGY
NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS
OSCILLATIONS
OZONE
QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS
QUANTITY RATIO
RADIOISOTOPES
RAIN
SAMPLING
STORAGE
STRATOSPHERE
STRONTIUM 89
STRONTIUM 90
TRACER TECHNIQUES
TRANSPORT