Current measurement results from air monitoring

Natural Radon-222 (natural radionuclides, blue) and artificial proportion (pink) of the beta activity concentration measured for the past 14 days at Schauinsland station. This graph is updated every week.

Natural radioactivity in the air is mainly produced by the radioactive noble gas radon and its daughter nuclides. The noble gas radon diffuses from the ground into the air. The concentration varies greatly depending on the weather conditions.

The measurement systems used for air monitoring are capable of distinguishing between this natural radioactivity and additional artificial radioactivity (see first figure). A radioactive cloud with artificial radioactive substances like after Chernobyl would be identified by a significant rise in the pink-coloured curve.

Calculated artificial proportion of the beta activity concentration measured at Schauinsland measuring station. This graph is updated every week.

The slight fluctuations in the pink-coloured curve result from the calculation method and are shown magnified once again in the second figure. These fluctuations are inherent to the measurement process and demonstrate that the system is functioning correctly. The negative values occur from the calculation due to statistical fluctuations. They do not constitute a measurement error.

In semi-automated systems, so-called fixed filter systems, the filter has to be changed by hand periodically in order to prevent it from clogging. These filter changes result in the regular data gaps observable in the diagrams.

In fully automated systems, so-called moving filter systems, a filter tape is automatically advanced within a particular time interval.