High time-resolved radon progeny measurements in the Arctic region (Svalbard islands, Norway): results and potentialities

The estimation of radon progeny in the Arctic re-
gion represents a scientific challenge due to the required low
limit of detection in consideration of the limited radon em-
anation associated with permafrost dynamics. This prelim-
inary study highlighted, for the first time above 70
o
N, the
possibility to monitor radon progeny in the Arctic region
with a higher time resolution. The composition of the radon
progeny offered the opportunity to identify air masses domi-
nated by long-range transport, in presence or absence of near-
constant radon progeny instead of long- and short-lived pro-
genies. Furthermore, the different ratio between radon and
thoron progenies evidenced the contributions of local emis-
sions and atmospheric stability. Two different emanation pe-
riods were defined in accordance with the permafrost dynam-
ics at the ground and several accumulation windows were
recognized coherently to the meteo-climatic conditions oc-
curring at the study site.