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.