The vertical equilibrium distributions of Rn222, Rn220, and their decay products in a horizontally isotropic atmosphere are calculated from diffusion theory with the help of a digital computer. The change of the turbulent diffusion coefficient with altitude and the removal of Pb210 and Po210 by fallout were taken into account. Vertical profiles of the natural radionuclides in the atmosphere are presented for several typical profiles of the turbulent diffusion coefficient. Agreement with available experimental data is rather good. The results indicate the importance of the natural radioactive tracers in the study of mixing processes in the troposphere and in the mechanism of transport from the troposphere into the lower stratosphere.
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Jacobi et al. (1963) studied this question.