Impacts of meteorology and mixing height on radioactive and stable aerosols in Bratislava, Slovakia

This study investigated the variability of radioactive and stable aerosols (⁷Be, ²¹⁰Pb, ¹³⁷Cs, ⁴⁰K, PM10, and PM2.5) in relation to mixing layer height (MLH) based on outdoor radon and meteorological factors in Bratislava, Slovakia from 2017 to 2021. Aerosol concentrations exhibit distinct seasonal patterns, with higher ⁷Be concentrations in summer and lower in winter, while ¹³⁷Cs, ⁴⁰K, ²¹⁰Pb, PM10 and PM2.5 showed almost the opposite trends. Different statistical techniques, including Pearson's correlation analysis, multiple regression analysis (MRA), and canonical correlation analysis (CCA), were employed to elucidate the intricate relationships between aerosol concentrations, MLH, and meteorological parameters. The MRA identified a significant correlation between aerosol variability and specific predictors, while the CCA highlighted the differential influence of MLH and meteorological parameters on aerosol concentrations. The analysis revealed that temperature, MLH, and relative humidity are the primary factors influencing aerosol concentrations, underscoring their pivotal role in environmental dynamics.