Development of an atmospheric 222Rn concentration model using a hydrodynamic meteorological model: II. Three-dimensional research-purpose model.
This paper describes a new type of three-dimensional numerical model for 222Rn transport in an atmospheric boundary layer. The model is a combination of a prognostic hydrodynamic meteorological model including a turbulence closure model and an atmospheric diffusion model for 222Rn. The first part provides the second part with the meteorological conditions needed for calculations of the 222Rn transport and diffusion. The model is capable of giving consideration to horizontal source distribution, complex terrain, and non-uniform and non-steady atmosphere. The model's results were compared with 222Rn field measurements in a mountain-valley area and represented qualitatively a typical diurnal variation of the 222Rn concentration in nocturnal drainage flows. The model was also applied to the transport of 222Rn in a seacoast area. These results indicated that the model could be effective as a research tool for numerical analysis of 222Rn behavior under various atmospheric conditions.