The atmospheric electric conductivity and potential gradient were measured aboard the Icebreaker “Fuji”, an antarctic observation ship, during her test cruise around the Japan Islands in October 1966.
The electric conductivity was found to vary with distance from the coastline, reflecting the effect of atmospheric pollution extending from land sources over the ocean by diffusion. Analysis of the data obtained shows that the conductivity was determined almost uniquely as a function of distance from the coastline when the weather was clear.