The effect of air mass origin on the ambient concentrations of /sup 7/Be and /sup 210/Pb in Islamabad

The concentration of radionuclides /sup 210/Pb and /sup 7/Be, having half lives of 22.3 years and 53.29 days, respectively, in the surface air samples of Islamabad (33.38 N, 73.10 E and Altitude approx. 536 m asl.) were measured. The non-destructive technique of gamma-spectrometry, with a high purity germanium HPGe detector, was employed for the analysis of all samples. The annual average concentrations of /sup 210/Pb and /sup 7/Be in the surface air samples were determined as 0.284 +- 0.15 and 3.171 +- 1.14 mBq m/sup -3/, respectively. Our results have shown a seasonal variation of the concentration of /sup 7/Be in air samples with high values for the spring season. High concentrations for /sup 210/Pb were obtained when air masses originated from plain areas of Pothohar region, located in the South-West, West and North West of Islamabad. Statistics of /sup 210/Pb and /sup 7/Be-laden aerosols in the environment of Islamabad has been shown. Our values show a nice agreement with the relevant reported results. (Orig./A.B.)