Seasonal Variations of Radium-D (Lead-210) in Ground Level Air in India

Abstract
Measurements of 210Pb concentrations in ground level air at 2 stations in India, viz., Bombay and Srinagar, are presented. Sampling of the atmospheric particulates was done using Hollingsworth and Vose H-70 filter papers and powerful blowers. Radiochemical separation of 210Pb from the air-filter collection was carried out after ashing of the filters at 250 [degree]C. The samples were counted in low-level end-window G. M. [ Geiger-Muller] counters using the 1. 17 MeV betas of daughter product 210Bi both for activity estimation and for checking the radiochemical purity of the samples. The measurements at Bombay are from Oct. 1961 to March 1966 and at Srinagar from March 1962 to March 1966. The activity concentrations varied from 6 [mu][mu]Ci/1000 m3 to 60 [mu][mu]Ci/1000 m3. The presence of a seasonal variation in. concentrations with maximum in winter and minimum in summer of each year is also observed. The likely causes for these variations and their differences with the seasonal variation of 137Cs and other fission products are discussed.