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Circulation of Radon Progeny in the Terrestrial Atmosphere During Thunderstorms
Author(s) -
Chilingarian A.,
Hovsepyan G.,
Sargsyan B.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2020gl091155
Subject(s) - thunderstorm , atmosphere (unit) , lightning (connector) , atmospheric sciences , precipitation , environmental science , radon , atmospheric circulation , meteorology , geology , physics , nuclear physics , power (physics) , quantum mechanics
We describe a new phenomenon in atmospheric physics— 222 Rn progeny circulation during thunderstorms. The enhancement of the natural gamma radiation during thunderstorms was measured with precise gamma ray spectrometers. Results of measurements performed at Aragats mountain in Armenia during summer 2020 demonstrate the Rn progeny lifted to the atmosphere by a near‐surface electric field are returned backward to the ground by rain precipitation. Thus, thunderstorms not only return negative charge to the Earth by lightning flashes but also maintain Rn progeny circulation in the atmosphere; it this way, significantly enlarging natural gamma radiation above the Earth surface and Radon concentration in the atmosphere.