EML SURFACE AIR SAMPLING PROGRAM

The Environmental Measurements Laboratory (EML) has a long history and an international reputation in natural and anthropogenic global radionuclide measurements. EML has developed a worldwide global sampling network for measuring low-level radionuclides. The network contains sites from EML’s Surface Air Sampling Program (SASP) and Remote Atmospheric Measurements Program (RAMP). These programs have been in existence for over 40 years and consist of 36 surface air sampling sites, representing the most extensive and comprehensive global sampling network of its kind in the world for low-level radionuclide measurements. These measurements have been used extensively by many atmospheric scientists for validating their transport models. SASP/RAMP is also used to determine the concentrations of naturally occurring radionuclides, such as 7Be and 210Pb in the surface air. The analysis of 7Be and 210Pb combined with ozone measurements could help in understanding the changes and vertical transport of ozone, which affects the global climate. Currently, SASP samplers are being used for site characterization during Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) station surveys and are providing important collection coverage while CTBT stations are being brought online. New SASP/RAMP sites are being established in Asia. Presented in this paper is a historical overview of SASP/RAMP.