The Radioactivity of the Atmosphere and Hydrosphere

Abstract

Three classes of radioactive nuclear species that occur on the surface of the Earth have been determined: (1) extremely long lived species that have surivved from the time when the elements were formed (primary radionuclides) and their daughter products (secondary radionuclides); (2) radioactive nuclei that are currently formed in nature, primarily by cosmic ray induced processes; (3) man-made radioactive substances, such as those produced through the testing of atomic devices or in nuclear reactors. This paper gives a brief account of the nature of geochemical, meteorological, and oceanographic problems involve din the interpretation of the distribution of radioactivity in the atmosphere and the hydrosphere of the earth.