Characterization of atmospheric 210Pb concentration and its relation to major ion species at Tsukuba, Japan

TSP and atmospheric 210 Pb concentrations were observed at Tsukuba, Japan during July 2001 to March 2005. TSP concentrations ranged from 14.5 to 152.4 µg m −3 . 210 Pb concentrations ranged from 0.04 to 0.86 mBq m −3 which was low in summer and high in winter to spring. Although TSP concentrations changed annually, 210 Pb concentrations had almost the same concentration level and seasonal variation. The correlation coefficient between 210 Pb concentration and NO 3 − concentration was slightly higher than for other ion species. This result indicated that both had been attached to the same particle size and transported to the sampling site.