Variations of airborne ~7Be in Shenzhen and its implication for atmospheric transport

In this study, aerosol samples in Shenzhen were collected and analyzed for beryllium-7, over a period of eight month(October'11 May'12). The concentrations of 7Be in the atmosphere of Shenzhen were in the range of 0 7.6 mBq/m3, with a mean value of 3.1 mBq/m3. Precipitation is the main factor affecting airborne 7Be concentration, and no significant correlation was found between 7Be specific activity with air temperature as well as the concentration of particle matter(PM2.5). During the spring months, airborne 7Be specific activity correlated fairly well with surface ozone, indicating its implication for tracing downward transport of ozone from the upper troposphere or lower stratosphere.