Air mass origin and its influence on radionuclide activities (7Be and 210Pb) in aerosol particles at a coastal site in the western Mediterranean

Studies of radionuclide activities in aerosol particles provide a means for evaluating the integrated effects of transport and meteorology on the atmospheric loadings of substances with different sources. Measurements of aerosol mass concentration and specific activities of 7Be and 210Pb in aerosols at Málaga (36° 43′ 40″ N; 4° 28′ 8″ W) for the period 2000–2006 were used to obtain the relationships between radionuclide activities and airflow patterns by comparing the data grouped by air mass trajectory clusters. The average concentration values of 7Be and 210Pb over the 7 year period have been found to be 4.6 and 0.58 mBq m−3, respectively, with mean aerosol mass concentration of 53.6 μg m−3. The identified air flow types arriving at Málaga reflect the transitional location of the Iberian Peninsula and show significant differences in radionuclide activities. Air concentrations of both nuclides and the aerosol mass concentration are controlled predominantly by the synoptic scenarios leading to the entrance of dust-laden continental flows from northern Africa and the arrival of polar maritime air masses, as implied by the strong correlations found between the monthly frequencies of the different air masses and the specific activities of both radionuclides. Correlations between activity concentrations and precipitation are significant though lower than with air masses.

Research highlights
► 7 years of aerosol mass concentration and 7Be and 210Pb activities in southern Spain.
► Typical air flow types identified by backtrajectory cluster analysis.
► Strong dependence of 7Be and 210Pb specific activities on the air flow patterns.
► High values associated to the scenarios of African dust outbreaks.
► Low values associated to polar maritime air masses.