Radon evasion rates in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans as determined during the Geosecs program

Journal Article · Sun May 20 04:00:00 EDT 1979 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JC084iC05p02471· OSTI ID:6153470

Peng, T; Broecker, W S; Mathieu, G G; Li, Y; Bainbridge, A E

During the Geosecs expedition in the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans, more than 100 stations were occupied for the measurement of surface radon profiles. The radon deficiency in these profiles gives estimates of the gas transfer rate across the sea-air interface. The global mean transfer rate is estimated to be 2.9 m/d (at 20/sup 0/ C) which is corresponding to a hypothetical stagnant films thickness of about 36 microns. No clear relationship can be found between the gas exchange rate and wind speed. The CO/sub 2/ exchange rate as determined by the radon method is 80% of that given by the distributions of natural and of bomb-produced radiocarbon. One possible explanation may be that the Geosecs radon measurements were made during periods of lower than average wind speed. Another is that the conversion of CO/sub 2/ to HCO/sub 3//sup -/ is catalyzed within the sea.

• Research Organization: Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory and Department of Geological Sciences, Columbia University, Palisades, New York 10964
• OSTI ID: 6153470
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 84:C5; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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500101 -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Basic Studies-- Radiometric Techniques-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
640200* -- Atmospheric Physics
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ATLANTIC OCEAN
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
CARBON 14
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON DIOXIDE
CARBON ISOTOPES
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
DIFFUSION
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
ISOTOPES
LIGHT NUCLEI
MASS TRANSFER
NATURAL RADIOACTIVITY
NONMETALS
NUCLEI
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PACIFIC OCEAN
RADIOACTIVITY
RADIOISOTOPES
RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION
RADON
RARE GASES
SEAS
SURFACE WATERS
WIND
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES