Distribution of 127I and 129I in precipitation at high European latitudes

We here present the most extensive data set on the distribution of I-127 and I-129 in precipitation (rain and snow) covering the period 2000-2006 and European latitudes 55 degrees N-68 degrees N. Our results indicate a wide variation in the concentrations and fluxes of the two isotopes associated with generally higher values at near coastal sites compared to the inland ones. Total wet-related annual deposition of I-127 and I-129 on Sweden and Denmark is estimated at about 1.2 x 10(9) g and 60 g respectively. The average annual I-129 wet deposition accounts for <1% and <0.05% of the total annual gaseous and liquid, respectively, discharges from the Sellafiled and La Hague Facilities. The I-127 annual wet deposition represents < 1% of the estimated global oceanic iodine flux. Air mass trajectories suggest that events of enhanced I-129 in precipitation are closely related to southwesterly weather fronts from regions of elevated concentrations. Citation: Aldahan, A., S. Persson, G. Possnert, and X. L. Hou (2009), Distribution of I-127 and I-129 in precipitation at high European latitudes, Geophys. Res. Lett., 36, L11805, doi: 10.1029/2009GL037363.