ftp://dossier.ogp.noaa.gov/GCOS/Documentation/Meteorological%20Consequences%20of%20Atmospheric%2 0Krypton-85.pdf
Science 16 JULY 1976
Meteorological Consequences
of Atmospheric Krypton-85
Krypton-85 can disturb the atmospheric environment
by perturbing atmospheric electrical processes
William L. Boeck
Natural atmospheric processes involving
air ions will be perturbed if the
ionization due to reactor by-products in
the atmosphere approaches the ionization
produced by background radiation.
Projections indicate that 85Kr, a radioactive,
chemically inert gas, may be produced
and released in such quantities
that it will create atmospheric ions at
rates comparable to the present ion production
rate near the tropical ocean surface.
This article concerns the possible
effects of 85Kr on atmospheric electrical
phenomena and air ions. Calculations
based on a simple model for the global
atmospheric electric circuit indicate that
the total electric resistance between the
earth and the ionosphere could decrease
measurably within the next 50 years.
Mechanisms by which a disturbance of
atmospheric electric properties could
lead to a form of inadvertent weather
modification are briefly discussed.
Properties of Krypton-85
Krypton-85 is a long-lived radioactive
gaseous by-product of nuclear fission
produced in high yield in nuclear fission
reactors and explosions (I, p. 5). A large
increase in the production rate of 85Kr
seems inevitable as more nations turn to
nuclear power to produce energy.....
Meteorological Consequences
of Atmospheric Krypton-85
Krypton-85 can disturb the atmospheric environment
by perturbing atmospheric electrical processes
William L. Boeck
Natural atmospheric processes involving
air ions will be perturbed if the
ionization due to reactor by-products in
the atmosphere approaches the ionization
produced by background radiation.
Projections indicate that 85Kr, a radioactive,
chemically inert gas, may be produced
and released in such quantities
that it will create atmospheric ions at
rates comparable to the present ion production
rate near the tropical ocean surface.
This article concerns the possible
effects of 85Kr on atmospheric electrical
phenomena and air ions. Calculations
based on a simple model for the global
atmospheric electric circuit indicate that
the total electric resistance between the
earth and the ionosphere could decrease
measurably within the next 50 years.
Mechanisms by which a disturbance of
atmospheric electric properties could
lead to a form of inadvertent weather
modification are briefly discussed.
Properties of Krypton-85
Krypton-85 is a long-lived radioactive
gaseous by-product of nuclear fission
produced in high yield in nuclear fission
reactors and explosions (I, p. 5). A large
increase in the production rate of 85Kr
seems inevitable as more nations turn to
nuclear power to produce energy.....
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