Soil-biosphere-atmosphere interaction: fluxes and characterization of natural radionuclides used as tracers in the atmosphere dynamics of the Amazon Forest

Abstract

This project aims to contribute to a greater knowledge about the interactions among soil, vegetation, and atmosphere related to the global changes by means of the long-term survey of 222Rn and 7Be fluxes in the ATTO Tower region, which can be used as indicators of atmospheric environmental changes. For this goal to be accomplished we will need to determine the parameters of soil related to 222Rn emanation and exhalation (238U and 226Ra activity concentration, granulometry, moisture and organic matter content, porosity, and permeability); the 222Rn emanation and exhalation rates from soil; the activity concentrations of 222Rn in the air at different levels, under and above the canopy; the activity concentrations of 222Rn and its long-lived decay product 210Pb, and 7Be in aerosol particles and in rainwater; the 210Pb and 7Be flux in aerosols. The achievement of such objectives will allow for the establishment of a long-term survey of these radionuclide fluxes in the ATTO Tower region, according to seasonal variations. (AU)