TABLE 2. Most important annual flows of activity of radionuclides and of their radiation energy into the global atmosphere.

SOURCE

ACTIVITY (Bq)

ENERGY (J) e

Natural      222Rn 3.3 x 1019     222Rn 3.0 x 107
Nuclear weapons: explosions & production a

3H 7.0 x 1018

  3H 2.1 x 104

Chernobyl b

137Cs 7.0 x 1016

137Cs 6.1 x 103

Nuclear power c

   3H 5.6 x 1016

222Rn 1.3 x 104

Natural: Volcanic activity (noneruptive)        210Po 5.1 x 1015

210Po 4.4 x 103

Coal burning d

222Rn 8.5 x 1014

222Rn 7.6 x 102

a Annual average for 1945-1980;
b emission during ten days in 1986;
c average for 1981;
d average for 1980;
e decay energies after ,
f calculated from data of and .