Factors influencing ambient concentrations of 210Pb and 7Be over the city of Edinburgh (55.9°N, 03.2°W)

Abstract

Concentrations of 210Pb and 7Be in air were continuously monitored, using a high-volume air sampler and a high-resolution gamma-ray spectrometer, during the period of July 2002 to June 2003 at the University of Edinburgh 55.9°N, 03.2°W. The time series of both radio-isotopes show seasonality, dependence on air-mass origin, residence time and precipitation. Surface air concentrations of 210Pb and 7Be ranged from 0.01 to 0.74 mBq m−3 and 0.63–6.54 mBq m−3, respectively. The measurements indicate that the average concentrations of both 210Pb and 7Be in surface air were 0.21 ± 0.01 and 2.50 ± 0.04 mBq m−3, respectively; which agrees closely with the corresponding values reported for coastal air measurements in Europe.