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At least 307 records · Page 17
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1990

ATLAS: Airborne Tunable Laser Absorption Spectrometer for stratospheric trace gas measurements

The ATLAS instrument is an advanced technology diode laser based absorption spectrometer designed specifically for stratospheric tracer studies. This technique was used in the acquisition of N2O tracer data sets on the Airborne Antarctic Ozone Experiment and the Airborne Arctic Stratospheric Expedition. These data sets have proved valuable for comparison with atmospheric models, as well as in assisting in the interpretation of the entire ensemble of chemical and meteorological data acquired on these two field studies. The N2O dynamical tracer data set analysis revealed several ramifications concerning the polar atmosphere: the N2O/NO(y) correlation, which is used as a tool to study denitrification in the polar vertex; the N2O Southern Hemisphere morphology, showing subsidence in the winter polar vortex; and the value of the N2O measurements in the interpretation of ClO, O3, and NO(y) measurements and of the derived dynamical tracer, potential vorticity. Field studies also led to improved characterization of the instrument and to improved accuracy.

Loewenstein, Max↗
NASA NTRS1992

Evidence for subsidence in the 1989 Arctic winter stratosphere from airborne infrared composition measurements

Simultaneous measurements of the stratospheric burdens of CO2, HCN, N2O, CH4, OCS, CF2Cl2, CFCl3, CHF2Cl and HF were made by the Jet propulsion Laboratory MkIV interferometer on board the NASA DC-8 aircraft during January and early February 1989 as part of the Airborne Arctic Stratosphere Experiment. Data were acquired on 11 flights at altitudes of up to 12 km over a geographic region covering the NE Atlantic Ocean, Iceland and Greenland. The results obtained show large variations in the burdens of these tracers due to the effects of transport. The tropospheric source gas burdens were reduced inside the polar vortex, suggesting that the air had subsided with respect to the surrounding midlatitude air. Increased HF burdens inside the vortex support this interpretation. The results obtained from the different tracers are highly consistent with each other and indicate that in the 15- to 20-km altitude range inside the vortex, surfaces of constant volume mixing ratio were located some 5-6 km lower in absolute altitude than outside the vortex. The results also indicate that the magnitude of this subsidence increases with altitude. These conclusions are consistent with other measurements.

Toon, G. C.↗
NASA NTRS1992

The 1991 Antarctic ozone hole - TOMS observations

The 1991 Antarctic springtime ozone decline, as measured by the Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS), was similar to those of earlier deep ozone hole years, 1987, 1989, and 1990. The minimum total ozone value was recorded on October 5, 1991 at 108 Dobson units near the South Pole. This was 8 DU lower than in any of the earlier years. Four of the last five years have exhibited an extensive, deep ozone hole. The area of the hole was about the same as in 1987, 1989, and 1990. The recovery of the low total ozone values occurred in mid-November as the polar vortex broke up.

Krueger, Arlin↗
NASA NTRS1993

The effects of the October 1989 solar proton events on the stratosphere as computed using a three-dimensional model

In an effort to better characterize the interhemispheric difference in the ozone depletion observed as a result of the very large solar proton events (SPEs) of October 19-27, 1989, NASA-Goddard's 3D chemistry and transport model has been used to simulate the distribution of NO(x) and ozone after the SPEs. Differences in the constituent behavior of the two hemispheres are seen as due to substantial mixing of perturbed air in the Southern Hemisphere from the polar region with unperturbed lower latitude air during the final November warming, in conjunction with confinement of the photochemically perturbed air in the Northern Hemisphere in the wintertime polar vortex.

Jackman, Charles H.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Theoretical support for the Airborne Antarctic Ozone Experiment

This investigation was to provide theoretical support during and after the deployment of NASA research aircraft to Punta Arenas, Chile during August and September of 1987 to conduct the Airborne Antarctic Ozone Experiment. The experiment was very successful in demonstrating the role of anthropogenic chlorine in producing the ozone hole over Antarctica during September and October of 1987. The PI worked primarily on using tracer data from the ER-2 aircraft to show that transport could not have caused the ozone hole in 1987, and that transport of chemical species into the polar vortex was very weak during the period of the experiment. The presence of gravity waves was also very apparent in the ER-2 data, and papers were published on this analysis and on the use of meteorological analyses to position the aircraft within the vortex.

Hartmann, Dennis L.↗
NASA NTRS1993

The seasonal evolution of reactive chlorine in the Northern Hemisphere stratosphere

In situ measurements of chlorine monoxide (ClO) at mid- and high northern latitudes are reported for the period October 1991 to February 1992. As early as mid-December and throughout the winter, significant enhancements of this ozone-destroying radical were observed within the polar vortex shortly after temperatures dropped below 195 K. Decreases in ClO observed in February were consistent with the rapid formation of chlorine nitrate (ClONO2) by recombination of ClO with nitrogen dioxide (NO2) released photochemically from nitric acid (HNO3). Outside the vortex, ClO abundances were higher than in previous years as a result of NO(x) suppression by heterogeneous reactions on sulfate aerosols enhanced by the eruption of Mount Pinatubo.

Toohey, D. W.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Evolution of chemically processed air parcels in the lower stratosphere

Aircraft, ground-based, and satellite measurements indicate large concentrations of ClO in the lower stratosphere in and near the polar vortex. The amount of local ozone depletion caused by these large ClO concentrations will depend on the relative rates of ozone loss and ClO recovery. ClO recovery occurs when NO(x), from HNO3 photolysis, reacts with ClO to form ClONO2. We show that air parcels with large amounts of ClO will experience a subsequent ozone depletion that depends on the solar zenith angle. When the solar zenith angle is large in the middle of winter, the recovery of the ClO concentration in the parcel is slow relative to ozone depletion. In the spring, when the solar zenith angle is smaller, the ClO recovery is much faster. After ClO recovery, the chlorine chemistry has not returned to normal. The ClO has been converted to ClONO2. ClO production from further encounters with PSCs will be limited by the heterogeneous reaction of ClONO2 with water. Large ozone depletions, of the type seen in the Antarctic, occur only if there is significant irreversible denitrification in the air parcel.

Stolarski, Richard S.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Ozone and stratospheric height waves for opposite phases of the QBO

The stratospheric quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) provides an important source of interannual variations in the Northern Hemisphere. O'sullivan and Salby (1990) related extra-tropical eddy transport with the phase of the tropical QBO. When the tropical wind is easterly, the zero wind line is shifted into the winter hemisphere. Enhanced wave activity in middle latitudes acts to weaken the polar vortex. When the tropical wind is in the westerly phase the situation reverses. Heights at 30 mb and ozone configurations are contrasted in this paper for these two QBO phases. When the winter vortex deforms due to the amplification of planetary waves 1 and 2, extends westward and equatorward, the complementary band of low vorticity air spirals in toward the pole from lower latitudes. Sometimes, these planetary waves break (Juckes and McIntyre, 1987) and an irreversible mixing of air takes place between high and mid-latitudes. Global ozone patterns, as obtained form satellite observations, appear to be affected by planetary wave breaking (Leovy et al. 1985). This mixing results on regions with uniform ozone and potential vorticity. In the Southern Hemisphere (SH), Newman and Randel (1988) using Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) data and the NMC analyses have found strong spatial correlation between the October mean temperature in the lower stratosphere and total ozone for the 1979 through 1986 years. Recently Nogues-Paegle et al.(1992) analyzed SH ozone and height data from 1986 to 1989. They found that leading empirical orthogonal functions (EOFs) for both ozone and 50 mb heights exhibit zonal wave 1 and 2 and that the correlations between ozone and 50 mb principal components (PCs) are high. The results were found to be consistent with a linear planetary wave advecting a passive tracer. In this paper, the dominant patterns of variability for 30 mb NMC heights and TOMS total ozone are obtained for the winter to summer transition (January to May) in the Northern Hemisphere (NH) for the years 1987-1990.

Mo, Kingtse C.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Distribution of ozone between 60 deg North and 60 deg South

The distribution of total column ozone is investigated, using data from the TOMS (Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer) experiment aboard the US Nimbus 7 satellite. The region of interest extends from 60 North to 60 South, encircling the earth. Data for several years have been used in order to assess the long-term variations in the distribution of total column ozone. First results are presented on the seasonal variability of total column ozone in each hemisphere. The effects of the seasons are strongest at the highest latitudes but can still be discerned at the equator. While the variations are similar in the two hemispheres, ozone levels in the north are larger than in the south. Strong similarities are also found in the drift patterns of total column ozone in the two hemispheres. These drift patterns are compared to meteorological phenomena. We find an almost stationary ozone distribution drifts eastward in both hemispheres and this drift shows a seasonal variation. At very high latitudes (70 deg and higher) during spring in the southern hemisphere the ozone distribution is once again almost stationary, indicating that these regions are inside the polar vortex.

Mravlag, E.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Arctic polar stratospheric cloud measurements by means of a four wavelength depolarization lidar

A four wavelength depolarization backscattering lidar has been operated during the European Arctic Stratospheric Ozone Experiment (EASOE) in Sodankyl, in the Finnish Arctic. The lidar performed measurements during the months of December 1991, January, February and March 1992. The Finnish Meteorological Institute during the same period launched regularly three Radiosondes per day, and three Ozone sondes per week. Both Mt. Pinatubo aerosols and Polar Stratospheric Clouds were measured. The use of four wavelengths, respectively at 355 nm, 532 nm , 750 nm, and 850 nm permits an inversion of the lidar data to determine aerosol particle size. The depolarization technique permits the identification of Polar Stratospheric Clouds. Frequent correlation between Ozone minima and peaks in the Mt. Pinatubo aerosol maxima were detected. Measurements were carried out both within and outside the Polar Vortex.

Stefanutti, L.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Observed changes in the vertical profile of stratopheric nitrous oxide at Thule, Greenland, February - March 1992

Using a ground-based mm-wave spectrometer, we have observed stratospheric N2O over Thule, Greenland (76.3 N, 68.4 W) during late February and March, 1992. Vertical profiles of mixing ratio ranging from 16 to 50 km were recovered from molecular emission spectra. The profiles of early March show an abrupt increase in the lower-stratosphere N2O mixing ratio similar to the spring-to-summer change associated with the break up of the Antarctic polar vortex. This increase is correlated with changes in potential vorticity, air temperature, and ozone mixing ratio.

Emmons, Louisa K.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Systematic stratospheric observations on the Antarctic continent at Dumont d'Urville

Results of different routine measurements performed in Dumont d'Urville (66 deg S, 140 deg E) since 1988 are presented. They include the seasonal variation of total ozone and NO2 as measured by a SAOZ UV-Visible spectrometer, Polar Stratospheric Cloud observations by a backscatter lidar and more recently, vertical ozone profiles by ECC sondes and ozone and aerosols stratospheric profiles by a DIAL lidar. The particular results of 1991 in relation with the volcanic events of Mount Pinatubo and Mount Hudson, and the position of the polar vortex over Dumont d'Urville are discussed.

Godin, S.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Ozone profiles over McMurdo Station, Antarctica, during August, September, and October of 1986 - 1991

Vertical profiles of ozone and temperature have been measured at McMurdo Station, Antarctica, during the springs of 1986 to 1991, roughly every two days from 25 August to 31 October. Comparisons of temporal histories and average vertical structure for these years reveals some striking consistency in the ozone depletion process. Ozone depletion generally begins in early September, and with a half-life of 20-30 days, reaches its maximum in mid-October. The depletion occurs almost exclusively between 12 and 20 km. At the time of maximum depletion total ozone has been decreased roughly 40 percent while ozone between 12 and 20 km has been reduced 80 percent. Recovery generally begins in late October with the influx, above 20 km, of ozone rich air from the lower latitudes. From this record the worst years for ozone depletion were 1987, 1989, and 1990. A new region of ozone depletion, below 12 km, was observed in 1991, coinciding with the entrainment of a volcanic cloud into the polar vortex.

Deshler, Terry↗
NASA NTRS1994

Long-term ozone and temperature correlations above SANAE, Antarctica

A significant decline in Antarctic total column ozone and upper air temperatures has been observed in recent years. Furthermore, high correlations between monthly mean values of ozone and stratospheric temperature have been measured above Syowa, Antarctica. For the observations reported here, data from TOMS (Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer) aboard the Nimbus 7 satellite have been used to examine the 1980 to 1990 decrease in total column ozone above the South African Antarctic base of SANAE (70 deg 18 min S, 2 deg 21 min W). The cooling of the Antarctic stratosphere above SANAE during this period has been investigated by examining upper air temperatures at the 150, 100, 70, 50, and 30 hPa levels obtained from daily radiosonde balloon launches. Furthermore, these two data sets have been used to examine long-term, medium-term, and short-term correlations between total column ozone and the temperatures at each of the five levels. The trend in SANAE total column ozone has been found to be -4.9 DU/year, while upper air temperatures have been found to decrease at around 0.3 C/year. An analysis of monthly average SANAE total column ozone has shown the decrease to be most severe during the month of September with a trend of -7.7 DU/year. A strong correlation (r(exp 2) = 0.92) has been found between yearly average total column ozone and temperature at the 100 hPa level. Daily ozone and temperature correlations show high values from September to November, at a time when the polar vortex is breaking down.

Bodeker, Gregory E.↗
NASA NTRS1994

The MIPAS balloon borne trace constitutent experiment

A novel cryogenic Fourier transform spectrometer (FTS) has been developed for limb emission measurements in the mid IR-region from balloon-borne platforms. The FTS is a rapid scanning interferometer using a modified Michelson arrangement which allows a spectral resolution of 0.04 cm(exp -1) to be achieved. Solid carbon-dioxide cooling of the spectrometer and liquid-helium cooling of the detectors provide adequate sensitivity. The line of sight can be stabilized in terms of azimuth and elevation. A three-mirror off-axis telescope provides good vertical resolution and straylight rejection. Calibration is performed by high elevation and internal blackbody measurements. Four balloon flights were performed, two of them during spring turn-around 1989 and 1990 over mid-latitudes (Aire sur L'Adour, France, 44 deg N) and two near the northern polar circle in winter 1992 (Esrange, Sweden, 68 deg N). Limb emission spectra were collected from 32 km to 39 km floating altitudes covering tangent heights between the lower troposphere and the floating altitude. The trace gases CO2, H2O, O3, CH4, N2O, HNO3, N2O5, ClONO2, CF2Cl2, CFCl3, CHF2Cl, CCl4, and C2H6 have been identified in the measured spectra. The 1989 data have been analyzed to retrieve profiles of O3, HNO3, CFCl3 and CF2Cl2. The flights over Kiruna have provided the first ever reported profile measurements of the key reservoir species ClONO2 and N2O5 inside the polar vortex.

Oelhaf, H.↗
NASA NTRS1994

On the laminated structure of ozone in the sub-tropical atmosphere

Ozone data recorded by balloon-borne sondes released at various sites around the world revealed that frequently the vertical ozone distribution in the stratosphere is remarkably laminated. Recently, measurements of ozone profiles near the winter polar vortex have shown strong laminae close to the vortex boundary. Also, a statistical study published recently has shown that laminae are most commonly found between 12 and 18 km at high latitudes in winter and spring in both hemispheres but they are not found in the tropics and are rarely observed in the subtropics. Ozonesonde ascents performed in Athens (37.9 deg N, 23.8 deg E) during the winter 1991-1992 in the framework of the European Arctic Stratospheric Ozone Experiment (EASOE) have shown that the lamination phenomenon was very frequently present in our region which is in contradiction with previous measurements at our latitudes. The characteristic minimum of ozone at 15 km has been also detected. Finally, the correlation of the occurrence of these two phenomena in relation with the circulation of air masses showed that the laminated profiles are connected in the lower stratosphere while the appearance of the ozone minimum around 15 km is connected with the influence of the subtropical jet-stream.

Varotsos, Costas↗
NASA NTRS1994

Synoptic interpretation of measurements from HALOE

The degree to which the Southern Hemisphere polar vortex is isolated against horizontal (isentropic) mixing is investigated using data from the Halogen Occultation Experiment (HALOE), U.K. Meteorological Office (UKMO) potential vorticity (PV), and contour advection diagnostics. Measurements of methane and water vapor taken by HALOE during a disturbed period in the Southern Hemisphere springtime (21 September - 15 October 1992) are interpreted in light of the prevailing synoptic meteorology. Daily fields of winds and PV are shown to be essential in the interpretation of the data. A climatological high pressure region is responsible for a distorted vortex, and a substantial 'vortex stripping' event is present, associated with the early stages of vortex breakdown. This leads to significant temporal, zonal, and altitudinal variations in the distribution of tracers. The authors point out the difficulties this presents for the interpretation of solar occultation data, especially with regard to the use of zonal average time series. Longitude-height methane distributions from two days during the period are examined. Both days show substantial variations in abundance around a latitude circle. In particular, the authors investigate HALOE measurements at 77 deg S on 15 October 1992, which indicate an abundance of methane in the height region 600-2000 K (approximately 30-1 mb) that is more typical of midlatitude air. Similar distributions, observed in the 1991 HALOE data, have previously been interpreted as evidence for the penetration of midlatitude air into the vortex. Gradients of potential vorticity and contour advection diagnositcs are employed to examine whether the UKMO winds are consistent with this hypothesis in 1992. Although midlatitude air is able to penetrate poleward of the main jet core by advection processes alone, an essentially intact inner core of vortex air remains, which does not mix to any great extent with air from lower latitudes. The authors show that the high-latitude HALOE abundances that are typical of midlatitude air were observed in a region of extensive filamentation and mixing, rather than within the inner, more isolated, core.

Bithell, M.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Isentropic mass exchange between the Tropics and extratropics in the stratosphere

The isentropic mass exchange between the Tropics and extratropics in the stratosphere is investigated with a semi-Lagrangian transport model for the periods from 1 June to 31 October 1992 and from 1 December 1992 to 30 April 1993 using winds from the U.K. Meteorological Office data assimilation system. Calculations with an idealized, initially zonally symmetric tracer show that in the middle and upper stratosphere the bulk of tropical air is transported into the midlatitudes of the winter hemisphere although there exist quasi-permeable barriers in the subtropics. The transport takes place in the form of planetary-scale 'tongues' of material that are drawn poleward in association with the episodic amplification of planetary-scale waves in high latitudes of the winter hemisphere. Once air of tropical origin is transported to the midlatitudes it is irreversibly mixed with the midlatitude air in the 'surf zone.' Air of tropical origin can, however, hardly penetrate into the interior of the winter polar vortex until the breakdown of the vortex. Transport of tropical air into the midlatitudes of the summer hemisphere is strongly inhibited. In the lower stratosphere, tropical air is transported into the northern and southern midlatitudes. During the period from 1 June to 31 October 1992, the amount of tropical air transported into the Northern Hemisphere is, however, much smaller than that transported into the Southern Hemisphere, and there exist strong gradients in the tracer field in the equatorial region, indicating that there is a quasi-permeable barrier to cross-equator mass exchange. During the period from 1 December 1992 to 30 April 1993, on the other hand, roughly the same amounts of tropical air are transported into the Southern Hemisphere, and there exist strong gradients in the tracer field in the equatorial region, indicating that there is a quasi-permeable barrier to cross-equator mass exchange. During the period from 1 December 1992 to 30 April 1993, on the other hand, roughly the same amounts of tropical air are transported into the northern midlatitudes and into the southern midlatitudes, and there exist no significant transport barriers in the equatorial area.

Chen, Ping↗