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At least 199 records · Page 11

Photochemistry of nitrogen in the Martian atmosphere

Models are developed for the photochemistry of a CO2-H2O-N2 atmosphere on Mars. Estimates are given for the concentrations of N, NO, NO2, NO3, N2O5, HNO2, HNO3, and N2O as a function of altitude. Nitric oxide is the most abundant form of odd nitrogen, present with a mixing ratio relative to CO2 of the order of 1 hundred-millionth. Deposition rates for nitrite and nitrate minerals could be as large as 300,000 N equivalent atoms per sq cm/sec under present conditions and may have been higher in the past.

Yung, Y. L.↗

Inhibition of hot salt corrosion by metallic additives

The effectiveness of several potential fuel additives in reducing the effects of sodium sulfate-induced hot corrosion was evaluated in a cyclic Mach 0.3 burner rig. The potential inhibitors examined were salts of Al, Si, Cr, Fe, Zn, Mg, Ca, and Ba. The alloys tested were IN-100, U-700, IN-738, IN-792, Mar M-509, and 304 stainless steel. Each alloy was exposed for 100 cycles of 1 hour each at 900 C in combustion gases doped with the corrodant and inhibitor salts and the extent of attack was determined by measuring maximum metal thickness loss. The most effective and consistent inhibitor additive was Ba (NO3)2 which reduced the hot corrosion attack to nearly that of simple oxidation.

Deadmore, D. L.↗

Limb Infrared Monitor of the Stratosphere /LIMS/ experiment

The Limb Infrared Monitor of the Stratosphere (LIMS) radiometer is a satellite-borne six-channel multispectral scanning radiometer using a two-stage methane and ammonia solid-cryogen cooler to cool the (Hg, Cd)Te focal plane to 65 K. The LIMS experiment employs thermal IR limb sounding to provide vertical-profile measurement of temperature and of concentrations of O3, NO3, and H2O in the stratosphere on a global scale. The goals of the experiment and the expected accuracies of the measurements are outlined, and the radiance measured by the radiometer is analyzed. A program of correlative measurements designed for verification and augmentation of the LIMS data is discussed. Detailed descriptions are given of the LIMS components and optics, the detector capsule assembly, the solid-cryogen cooler, the four operational modes of the LIMS system, and the data-processor electronics. It is noted that prelaunch acceptance testing thus far completed indicates that the LIMS specification design requirements have been met, and the experiment's performance goals can be achieved.

Drozewski, R. W.↗

X-ray investigation of molten crystal hydrates H2SO4(nH2O) and HNO3(nH2O)

Integral analysis of the intensity of the electron density distribution curve in molten crystal hydrates provided by X-ray analysis, permits the following conclusions on the structure of the complex SO and NO ions, and the short-range order in the structure of the solution. The SO4 ion in the solution has a tetrahedral structure with an S to O distance equal to 1.5 A. For the NO3 in the solution, a planar triangular shape is probable, with an N to O distance equal to 1.2 A. Preferential distances between each of the oxygens of the SO ion and the nearest molecules of water proved near to the corresponding distances in solid crystal hydrates. For an (H2SO4)(H2O) solution, the average number of water molecules surrounding each oxygen atom of the SO4 (--) ion was on the order of 1.3 molecules. Hence the preferential distances between the water molecules and the oxygen atoms of the SO ion, and the preference of their mutual position, correspond to the fixed position of these same elements of the structure in the solid crystal hydrate.

Romanova, A. V.↗

Airborne laser induced fluorescence system for measuring OH and other trace gases in the parts-per-quadrillion to parts-per-trillion range

Described in detail is a laser induced fluorescence system which has been successfully interfaced with two aircraft sampling platforms (i.e., Sabreliner jet and an L-188C Electra). This system, which has been under development for four years, presently consists of the following major components: (1) a Nd-Yag laser driven oscillator-amplifier dye laser; (2) a sampling manifold with associated fluorescence detection optics; (3) an OH calibration chamber; (4) a laser beam steering assembly; and (5) sampling electronics and data processing hardware. During the last three years, this system has been flown some 50,000 air miles making tropospheric OH radical measurements over the latitude range of 70 N to 57 S. OH concentrations measured during these flights have ranged from 30 parts-per-quadrillion (3.7 x 10 to the 5th molecules/sq cm) at altitudes of 6 km to 0.8 parts-per-trillion (2.0 x 10 to the 7th molecules/sq cm) at 0.5 km. Computations have been completed which indicate that the existing aircraft system with modest modifications should also be capable of detecting natural tropospheric levels of NO, SO2, CH2O, NO2, HNO2, NO3, H2O2 and CS2 by using both conventional laser-induced fluorescence methodology and multiphoton techniques.

Davis, D. D.↗

Giant solar flares in Antarctic ice

A new hypothesis proposes an explanation for the presence of four prominent spikes in a long time record of the NO3(-) concentration inside the Antarctic ice. This solar flare hypothesis suggests that the ionizing radiation necessary in the spike formation could have come from extremely powerful solar flares. It is proposed that these flares would have occurred during the times of the largest maxima in the solar cycle. The solar flare hypothesis is compared with the supernova hypothesis.

Stothers, R.↗

A matrix-isolation-infrared spectroscopic study of the reactions of nitric oxide with oxygen and ozone

An investigation of the oxidation of NO to NO2 by trapping the products of the gas-phase reactions with excess oxygen and ozone identified the transient species by their infrared spectra. The primary products of the NO + NO2 reactions were NO2, N2O3(A), N2O3(B), N2O4, and peroxy nitrate (OONO). The primary products of the NO + O3 reactions were NO2 and peroxy NO3 with the higher nitric oxides in low concentrations compared with the NO + O2 reactions. Isotopic oxygen and ozone were used to identify the infrared absorption frequency of the peroxy nitrate.

Bhatia, S. C.↗

Advection fog formation in a polluted atmosphere

Large quantities of atmospheric aerosols with compositions SO4(2-), NO3(-) and NH4(+) have been detected in highly industrialized areas. The major portions of aerosol products are the results of energy-related fuel combustion. Both microphysical and macrophysical processes are considered in investigating the time-dependent evolution of the saturation spectra of condensation nuclei associated with both polluted and clean atmospheres during the time periods of advection fog formation. The results show that the condensation nuclei associated with a polluted atmosphere provide more favorable conditions than condensation nuclei associated with a clean atmosphere to produce dense advection fog, and that attaining a certain degree of supersaturation is not necessarily required for the formation of advection fog with condensation nuclei associated with a polluted atmosphere for monodisperse distribution.

Hung, R. J.↗

Fluid mechanics simulation of fog formation associated with polluted atmosphere produced by energy related fuel combustion

It is noted that large quantities of atmospheric aerosols with composition SO4(-2), NO3(-1), and NH4(+1) have been detected in highly industrialized areas. Most aerosol products come from energy-related fuel combustion. Fluid mechanics simulation of both microphysical and macrophysical processes is considered in studying the time dependent evolution of the saturation spectra of condensation nuclei associated with polluted and clean atmospheres during the time periods of advection fog formation. The results demonstrate that the condensation nuclei associated with a polluted atmosphere provide more favorable conditions than condensation nuclei associated with a clean atmosphere to produce dense advection fog, and that attaining a certain degree of supersaturation is not necessarily required for the formation of advection fog having condensation nuclei associated with a polluted atmosphere.

Hung, R. J.↗

Acid rain at Kennedy Space Center, Florida - Recent observations

During the period July, 1977 to September, 1979, rainfall was collected in the vicinity of the Kennedy Space Center and subjected to appropriate chemical analysis for purposes of characterization of general composition and acidity. Results obtained form the basis for future comparisons, should significant alteration of the chemical composition of rain occur during the space shuttle era. Acidity extremes calculated on a monthly basis from event samples collected from five sites within a 200 sq km area varied from pH 5.1 in November, 1977, and April, 1978 to pH 4.3 in July, 1978 and July, 1979. Weighted average pH for the entire period was 4.55. Acidity was due to the presence of sulfuric and nitric acids. The mole ratio of excess SO4(-2):NO3(-) was typically greater than one. Monthly weighted average Cl(-) concentrations ranged from 20-240 micromoles/liter. The Cl(-):Na(+) ratio was slightly lower than that present in sea water.

Madsen, B. C.↗

Atmospheric cycles of nitrogen oxides and ammonia

The atmospheric cycles of nitrogenous trace compounds for the Northern and Southern Hemispheres are discussed. Source strengths and destruction rates for the nitrogen oxides: NO, NO2 and HNO3 -(NOX) and ammonia (NH3) are given as a function of latitude over continents and oceans. The global amounts of NOX-N and NH3-N produced annually in the period 1950 to 1975 (34 + 5 x one trillion g NOx-N/yr and 29 + or - 6 x one trillion g NH3-N/yr) are much less than previously assumed. Globally, natural and anthropogenic emissions are of similar magnitude. The NOx emission from anthropogenic sources is 1.5 times that from natural processes in the Northern Hemisphere, whereas in the Southern Hemisphere, it is a factor of 3 or 4 less. More than 80% of atmospheric ammonia seems to be derived from excrements of domestic animals, mostly by bulk deposition: 24 + or - 9 x one trillion g NO3 -N/yr and 21 + or - 9 x one trillion g NH4+-N/yr. Another fraction may be removed by absorption on vegetation and soils.

Bottger, A.↗

H2O2 levels in rainwater collected in south Florida and the Bahama Islands

Measurements of H2O2 in rainwater collected in Miami, Florida, and the Bahama Islands area indicate the presence of H2O2 concentration levels ranging from 100,000 to 700,000 M. No systematic trends in H2O2 concentration were observed during an individual storm, in marked contrast to the behavior of other anions for example, NO3(-), SO4(-2), and Cl(-). The data suggest that a substantial fraction of the H2O2 found in precipitation is generated by aqueous-phase reactions within the cloudwater rather than via rainout and washout of gaseous H2O2.

Zika, R.↗

Precursor gases of aerosols in the Mount St. Helens eruption plumes at stratospheric altitudes

Nineteen stratospheric samples from the eruption plumes of Mount St. Helens were collected in five flight experiments. The plume samples were collected at various altitudes from 13.1 to 20.7 km by using the Ames cryogenic sampling system on board the NASA U-2 aircraft. The enriched, cryogenically collected samples were analyzed by chromatography. The concentrations of aerosols precursor gases (OCS, SO2, and CS2), CH3Cl, N2O, CF2Cl2, and CFCl3 were measured by gas chromatography. Large enhancement of the mixing ratio of SO2 and moderate enhancement of CS2 and OCS were found in the plume samples compared with similar measurement under pre-volcanic conditions. A fast decay rate of the SO2 mixing ratio in the plume was observed. Measurement of Cl(-), SO2(2-), and NO3(-) by ion chromatography was also carried out on water solutions prepared from the plume samples. The results obtained with this technique imply large mixing ratios of HCl, (NO + NO2 + HNO3), and SO2, in which these constituents are the respective sources of the anions. Measurement of the Rn222 concentration in the plume was made. Other stratospheric constituents in the plume samples, such as H2O, CO2, CH4, and CO, were also observed.

Inn, E. C. Y.↗

Plant growth in controlled environments in response to characteristics of nutrient solutions

Plant growth in controlled environments in response to characteristics of nutrient solutions is discussed. Descriptions of experimental results concerning root acclimation to temperature, root and shoot acclimation to nitrogen stress, and growth response to NH4(+) and NO3(-) nutrition are included. A preliminary model validation to changing temperatures is presented.

Raper, C. D., Jr.↗

Chemical weathering and diagenesis of a cold desert soil from Wright Valley, Antarctica - An analog of Martian weathering processes

Weathering, diagenesis, and chemical alteration of a soil profile from the Dry Valleys of Antarctica are investigated as an analog to soil development within the Martian regolith. Soil samples from a soil pit one meter deep on Prospect Mesa, Wright Valley, are examined for their major element concentrations, water-soluble cations and anions, carbon, sulfur, and water concentrations, and related petrographic characteristics of weathering in a cold, dry environment. A petrographic study of the samples suggests that most silicate mineral and lithic fragments exhibit some degree of alteration. Chemical alteration occurs both in samples above and within the permanently frozen zone. The concentrations of water-soluble cations, for example, Na(+), K(+), Ca(2+), and anions, Cl(-), SO4(2-), NO3(-), are found to decrease significantly from the surface to the permanently frozen zone, suggesting a major movement of water-soluble species. It is also found that enrichments in secondary mineral abundances correlate with the water soluble ion concentrations. The formation of zeolites is seen throughout the soil column; these, it is thought, may be reservoirs for volatile storage within the regolith.

Gibson, E. K.↗

Influence of the Mediterranean outflow on the isotopic composition of neodymium in waters of the North Atlantic

Measurements of the Nd-143/Nd-144 ratio, expressed as epsilon-Nd(0), made in sea water samples obtained at depths from 0 to 4850 m at stations 95, 101, and 30 of North-Atlantic cruise 109-1 of the RV Atlantis II are reported and analyzed. In the 1000-m sample at station 95, determined by salinity, O2, PO4, NO3, SiO2, potential-temperature, and pressure profiles to correspond to the core of the Mediterranean outflow, an epsilon-Nd(0) value of -9.8 + or - 0.6 was found, a significant increase over the layers above and below, where epsilon-Nd(0) is about -12. Mixing estimations give a value for pure Mediterranean waters of approximately -6; continental drainage or volcanic deep-sea sediments are considered possible sources for this more radiogenic Nd. The epsilon-Nd(0) peak in the western North Atlantic (station 30) is found at the surface, and the deep waters are less radiogenic than in the eastern North Atlantic, suggesting multiple Nd sources. Possible origins and distribution mechanisms are discussed.

Piepgras, D. J.↗

Proceedings of a Workshop on Assessment of Techniques for Measuring Tropospheric N sub x O sub y

Human impact on the troposphere, particularly on the regional to global scale is assessed. One area of required research is instrumentation development, which is aimed at improving the capability to measure important trace gases and aerosols which are key species in the major atmospheric biogeochemical cycles. To focus on specific needs, the Instrumentation Workshop for NxOy Tropospheric Species was conducted. The workshop discussed measurement needs and instrument capabilities for NxOy species, including NO, NO2, HNO3, HNO2, PAN, and NO3 aerosols. The status and measurement capabilities of various techniques (operational as well as conceptual) were discussed, along with future instrument and technology needs.

Source record↗

Nitrate in the Greenland ice sheet in the years following the 1908 Tunguska event

The Tunguska event on June 30, 1908 has been subjected to much speculation within different fields of research. Publication of the results of the 1961 expedition to the Tunguska area (Florensky, 1963) supports the view that a cometary impact caused the event. Based on this interpretation, calculations of the impactor energy release and explosion height have been reported by Ben-Menahem (1975), and velocity, mass, and density of the impactor by Petrov and Stulov (1975). Park (1978) and Turco et al. (1981, 1982) used these numbers to calculate a production of ca. 30,000,000 tons of NO during atmospheric transit. This paper presents a high-resolution study of nitrate concentration in the Greenland ice sheet in ca. 10 years covering the Tunguska event. No signs of excess nitrate are found in three ice cores from two different sites in Greenland in the years following the Tunguska event. By comparing these results with results for other aerosols generally found in the ice, the lack of excess NO3(-) following the Tunguska event can be interpreted as indicating that the impactor nitrate production calculated by Park (1978) and Turco et al. (1981, 1982) are 1-2 orders of magnitude too high. To explain this, it is suggested, from other lines of reasoning, that the impactor density determined by Petrov and Stulov (1975) probably is too low.

Rasmussen, K. L.↗