Influence of the change in moisture content of atmospheric air on the distribution of the cosmic-background neutron fluxes above a water surface

The authors investigated the influence of the variation in water content in atmospheric air on the cosmic-background neutron flux reflected by the water surface of the sea. The dependence of the moisture content of air on the atmospheric pressure at various temperatures is shown, and the flux density of thermal neutrons close to the water surface is presented. The authors explain how useful information on the salinity of sea water may be obtained in determining the neutron flux due to the flux difference. The method of taking account of the measurement errors in the neutron flux reflected from the water surface is described. The method proposed for taking account of the influence of variation in moisture content of air is also useful in experimental investigations of neutron fluxes of cosmic and artificial origin for solving scientific and practical problems.