KR-85 POLLUTION AND ATMOSPHERIC ELECTRICITY

Krypton-85 is a chemically inert radioactive gas present in the atmosp here, concentrations of which have been greatly increased by nuclear r eprocessing and weapons testing since 1945. The long half-life (10.7 y r), allows the gas to mix thoroughly in the atmosphere. Ionization cau sed by krypton-85 increases the electrical conductivity of atmospheric air. Further increases in krypton-85 emissions seem inevitable. The i ncrease in air conductivity due to release of krypton-85 will vary wit h height, and be larger over the oceans than over the land. Increases in conductivity will produce uncertain effects on atmospheric phenomen a, so changes are compared in magnitude with other factors perturbing the conductivity, such as combustion aerosol burdens, volcanic eruptio ns and nuclear weapons testing. Conductivity changes are expected to h ave the greatest,significance for meteorological phenomena close to th e source.