Radon Mapper mi.am for 222Rn monitoring (sampling at 100 m)

For the monitoring of atmospheric radon, a Trace Environmental Level (TEL) Radon gas detector coupled with a Radon Mapper (mi.am) system has been installed. This instrument is designed to measure the concentration of radon isotope ²²²Rn through the detection of alpha particles emitted during its radioactive decay. Sampling is performed at 100 meters above ground level.

Although Radon-222 measurements are not mandatory within the ICOS protocol, they are strongly recommended due to their high scientific value, particularly for the estimation of greenhouse gas fluxes. Radon-222 acts as a natural tracer of atmospheric transport and mixing, given its inert behavior and well-characterized terrestrial origin. Its short half-life (~3.8 days) makes it especially sensitive to near-surface processes.

In ICOS applications, ²²²Rn data are used to:

·         Quantify vertical mixing and boundary layer dynamics, which influence the representativeness of trace gas measurements

·         Support flux inversion models by providing independent constraints on transport

·         Improve the accuracy of emission estimates for CO₂, CH₄, and other greenhouse gases by correcting for dilution and dispersion effects

The integration of TEL radon measurements with other ICOS observations enhances the interpretability of concentration data and strengthens the overall capacity for source apportionment and flux quantification in complex atmospheric environments