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At least 757 records · Page 42

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NASA NTRS1981

The transport of trace chemicals by planetary waves in the stratosphere. I Steady waves

When dissipation is present a forced planetary wave will interact with the zonal flow in the stratosphere and cause acceleration of the zonal wind, mean-zonal diabatic heating and net transport of trace chemicals. Quasi-geostrophic scaling is used to derive expressions relating the above quantities to each other and to wave statistics for steady-state conditions and Newtonian cooling. Numerical calculations are presented for stationary wavenumber 1 which indicate that in the stratosphere the effect of the wave on the mean-zonal quantities is 1/5 to 1/20 that required by observations and models. In the mesosphere the calculated value is roughly 1/20 the required size. Reasons for this discrepancy are discussed.

Kurzeja, R. J.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Electron microprobe analysis of trace elements in minerals at 10 PPM concentrations

An improved technique is developed for measuring backgrounds during trace element analysis of crystals and glass using electron microprobes. This technique overcomes major difficulties encountered with conventional techniques, such as the problem of obtaining the net X-ray intensity of the characteristic emission line of interest with sufficient precision and accuracy, as well as the error due to the inability to directly measure the intensity at the wavelength of the characteristic line on the sample being analyzed. It is shown that this technique can yield reproducible results to within 4 ppm in olivine, and has a minimum uncertainty and detection limit of 10 ppm Nd in olivine.

Mckay, G. A.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Clouds and wet removal as causes of variability in the trace-gas composition of the marine troposphere

A modeling study of the effects of clouds and wet removal on the chemistry of the remote marine troposphere is described. Using a time-dependent model with parameterized vertical transport to calculate trace-gas concentrations, it is found that large variations in key species (e.g., HNO3, H2CO, and H2O2) result from simulations of sporadic rainfall, changes in cloud cover, and external inputs such as surface NO sources. Depending on the frequency and intensity of an event, the effects of these perturbations may persist for several days, thereby invalidating assumptions of photochemical equilibrium in the interpretation of measurements. Long-term integrations with fixed boundary conditions and regularly occurring cloud and rain episodes demonstrate a strong sensitivity of the mean concentration of longer-lived soluble gases to precipitation frequency but also confirm the validity of using properly chosen parameterizations of wet removal in steady state calculations.

Thompson, A. M.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Measuring Trace Hydrocarbons in Silanes

Technique rapid and uses standard analytical equipment. Silane gas containing traces of hydrocarbons injected into carrier gas of moist nitrogen having about 0.2 percent water vapor. Carrier, water and silane pass through short column packed with powdered sodium hydroxide which combines moisture and silane to form nonvolatile sodium silicate. Carrier gas free of silane but containing nonreactive hydrocarbons, pass to silica-gel column where chromatographic separation takes place. Hydrocarbons measured by FID.

Lesser, L. A.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Atmospheric trace molecule spectroscopy

The Spacelab investigation entitled Atmospheric Trace Molecule Spectroscopy (ATMOS) is designed to obtain fundamental information related to the chemistry and physics of the Earth's upper atmosphere using the techniques of infrared absorption spectroscopy. There are two principal objectives to be met. The first is the determination, on a global scale, of the compositional structure of the upper atmosphere and its spatial variability. The establishment of this variability represents the first step toward determining the characteristic residence times for the upper atmospheric constituents; the magnitudes of their sources and sinks; and, ultimately, an understanding of their effects on the stability of the stratosphere. The second objective is to provide the high-resolution, calibrated spectral information which is essential for the detailed design of advanced instrumentation for subsequent global monitoring of specific species found to be critical to atmospheric stability. This information will be disseminated in the form of a three dimensional atlas of solar absorption spectra obtained over a range of latitudes, longitudes, and altitudes.

Farmer, C. B.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Magnetospheric ray tracing studies

Using a model of Jupiter's magnetized plasma environment, radiation raypaths were calculated with a three-dimension ray tracing program. It is assumed that energetic particles produce the emission in the planet's auroral zone at frequencies just above the electron gyrofrequencies. This radiation is generated in narrow sheets defined by the angle of a ray with respect to the magnetic field line. By specifying the source position: latitude, longitude, and radial distance from the planet, signatures in the spectrum of frequency versus time seen by Voyager 1 and 2 were duplicated. The frequency range and the curvature of the decametric arcs in these dynamic spectra are the result of the geometry of the radiation sheets (imposed by the plasma and by the B-field) and illumination of Voyager 1 and 2 as the rotating magnetosphere mimics a pulsar.

Six, N. F.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Experimental design of an interlaboratory study for trace metal analysis of liquid fluids

The accurate determination of trace metals and fuels is an important requirement in much of the research into and development of alternative fuels for aerospace applications. Recognizing the detrimental effects of certain metals on fuel performance and fuel systems at the part per million and in some cases part per billion levels requires improved accuracy in determining these low concentration elements. Accurate analyses are also required to ensure interchangeability of analysis results between vendor, researcher, and end use for purposes of quality control. Previous interlaboratory studies have demonstrated the inability of different laboratories to agree on the results of metal analysis, particularly at low concentration levels, yet typically good precisions are reported within a laboratory. An interlaboratory study was designed to gain statistical information about the sources of variation in the reported concentrations. Five participant laboratories were used on a fee basis and were not informed of the purpose of the analyses. The effects of laboratory, analytical technique, concentration level, and ashing additive were studied in four fuel types for 20 elements of interest. The prescribed sample preparation schemes (variations of dry ashing) were used by all of the laboratories. The analytical data were statistically evaluated using a computer program for the analysis of variance technique.

Greenbauer-Seng, L. A.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Method of tracing contour patterns for use in making gradual contour resin matrix composites

The invention relates to methods for making alminate patterns for a resin matrix composite structural component. A sheet of paper is temporarily adhered to a model of the structrual component. A pen is positioned on the paper with a spindle touching the model surface opposite the pen. The pen and spindle are moved along the path that maintains the aforementioned contacts. The resulting line traced on paper is a model constant-thickness locus and provides a pattern for a single lamination of resin-impregnated fabric. The steps are repeated to make other patterns and each time the steps are repeated the distance between the tracer and the spindle is changed to correspond to the thickness of a lamination.

Fontes, M. J.↗

NASA NTRS1983

In situ trace element microanalysis

The use of particle-track-radiography and X-ray- fluorescence techniques in the in situ measurement of trace (less than 1000 ppm) elements in single mineral phases of polished sections is surveyed, and examples of their application to ordinary, carbonaceous and enstatite chondrites are provided. Radiographic methods surveyed include fission-track radiography (for U, Th, and Pu-244), alpha radiography using nuclear reactions (for Li and B), alpha autoradiography (for Bi and Pb), and beta autoradiography (for several elements in synthetic or biological samples). Two X-ray-fluorescence methods are compared: (1) photon-induced X-ray emission (PIXE), and (2) the potential use of synchrotron radiation. The latter is shown to allow much greater sensitivity than current PIXE technology and a much broader range of elements than particle-track radiography: the ppm analysis of 10-micron grains for all elements heavier than Na. These advantages are seen as balancing the high cost of accelerator use.

Burnett, D. S.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Ray-tracing studies and path-integrated gains of ELF unducted whistler mode waves in the earth's magnetosphere

Gyroresonance and Landau resonance interactions between unducted low-frequency whistler waves and trapped electrons in the earth's plasmasphere have been studied. Ray paths for waves launched near the plasmapause have been traced. In agreement with recent findings by Thorne et al. (1979), waves have been found which return through the equatorial zone with field-aligned wave normal angles. However, when the growth along the ray path is calculated for such waves, assuming an electron distribution function of the form E exp -n sin exp m alpha, it is found that for all the waves considered, the local growth rate becomes negative before plasmapause reflection, limiting the total gain to small values. Most waves reach zero gain before reflection. This is the result of Landau damping at oblique propagation angles, which necessarily occurs before reflection can take place. It is concluded that the concept of cyclic ray paths does not provide an explanation for the generation of unguided plasmaspheric hiss.

Huang, C. Y.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Balloon-borne diode-laser absorption spectrometer for measurements of stratospheric trace species

An instrument has been designed for the measurement of stratospheric trace species which utilizes tunable infrared diode lasers as sources for sensitive in situ absorption spectroscopy in selected wavelength regions. This instrument, the Balloon-Borne Laser In Situ Sensor (BLISS), is a high-resolution absorption spectrometer designed to provide measurements of the concentrations of stratospheric species and their diurnal variations. The instrument employs second-harmonic detection of the absorption of tunable diode laser (TDL) radiation (3-30 microns) in a 1 km path length defined by a retroreflector lowered 0.5 km below the BLISS gondola. Retroreflector tracking under microprocessor control is obtained using a He-Ne laser and coaligned TV camera with CID imaging. Simultaneous measurements of molecular species in the 20-40 km altitude range will be performed using four TDLs, with the predicted minimum-detectable mixing ratio at 30 km being typically less than or equal to 0.1 ppbv.

Menzies, R. T.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Siderophile, lithophile and mobile trace elements in the lunar meteorite Allan Hills 81005

The content of trace elements (siderophile Co, Au, As, Sb, Ga; chalcophile/mobile Se, Te, Bi, In, Ag, Zn, Tl, Cd; lithophile Rb, Cs, U) is investigated to ascertain whether the meteorite is of lunar origin. Five elements reflect lunar crustal processes, whereas the remaining 11 siderophile and mobile elements suggest 1.4 + or - 0.5 percent micrometeorite admixture or enrichment by thermal redistribution on the moon. It is found that the impact launching of ALH A81005 to the earth was not attended by substantial shock loading. A Martian origin for severely shocked SNC meteorites is therefore considered plausible.

Verkouteren, R. M.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Remote measurement of trace gases with the JPL laser absorption spectrometer

Extensive data from large regions are needed as a basis for the study of anthropogenic trace gases in the troposphere. The need arises, therefore, for an instrument which is capable to monitor rapidly the atmosphere in a region. The present investigation is concerned with the results of efforts to develop an instrument which is capable of remotely measuring gases in the troposphere. The Laser Absorption Spectrometer (LAS) was designed for use in aircraft, and was employed to measure tropospheric ozone distribution since 1977. Attention is given to a description of the LAS instrument, the theoretical basis of instrument operation, LAS measurement programs, the results of the LAS development program, and future work.

Shumate, M. S.↗

NASA NTRS1983

CO2 DIAL sensitivity studies for measurements of atmospheric trace gases

An analysis is presented of the accuracy of infrared differential absorption lidar (DIAL) measurements of trace constituents in the atmosphere. Expressions are derived for the signal-to-noise ratios applicable in the detection of a signal from a scattering cell for the cases of single-detection heterodyne detection and direct detection. Results of computer simulations of the expectation value of the measured return for various measurement conditions are presented which illustrate the sensitivities of plume measurements for horizontal range-resolved and vertical content measurements of NH3 in heterodyne and direct detection. Advantages for long-range measurements of the use of rare isotope laser frequencies, tuning by collision broadening, and closely spaced on and off frequencies are pointed out.

Brockman, P.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Effects of systematic errors on the mixing ratios of trace gases obtained from occulation spectra

The influence of systematic errors in the parameters of the models describing the geometry and the atmosphere on the profiles of trace gases retrieved from simulated solar occultation spectra, collected at satellite altitudes, is investigated. Because of smearing effects and other uncertainties, it may be preferable to calibrate the spectra internally by measuring absorption lines of an atmospheric gas such as CO2 whose vertical distribution is assumed rather than to relay on externally supplied information.

Shaffer, W. A.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Enstatite chondrites - Trace element clues to their origin

Three EH and three EL chondrites have been subjected to RNAA analysis for 20 trace elements, and interelement correlations were examined in order to assess the effects of nebular fractionation and metamorphism. The refractory siderophiles Ir, Os, and Re correlate with the normal siderophiles Ni, Pd, Au, Sb, and Ge, in ELs but not in EHs. The two element groups presumably condensed on separate phases at first, but concentrated in metal during metabolism. Volatiles are consistently more depleted in ELs than EHs. Strong correlations are found for In-Tl, Tl-Bi, and Zn-Cd-In, which are equally consistent with predicted condensation curves for the solar nebula and with volatilization curves for artificially heated Abee. The three factors accounting for 93 percent of variance reflect volatile, siderophile, and chalcophile behavior.

Hertogen, J.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Aubrites and diogenites - Trace element clues to their origin

A typically igneous siderophile element pattern emerges from an RNAA analysis of 25 aubrite and nine diogenite samples for 13-29 siderophile, volatile, and lithophile trace elements, although it is noted that abundances are about 10 times higher in the case of aubrites. Se is also surprisingly abundant in aubrites. Factor analysis shows several parallel groupings for aubrites and diogenites. Several element pairs that differ greatly in volatility correlate closely in aubrites, in approximately C1-chondrite proportions, suggesting that aubrites originated by igneous processes in their parent body.

Wolf, R.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Trace elements in rims and interiors of Chainpur chondrules

Trace elements were measured in the rims and interiors of nine chondrules separated from the Chainpur LL-3 chondrite. Whole rock samples of Chainpur and samples of separated rims were also measured. Chondrule rims are moderately enriched in siderophile and volatile elements relative to the chondrule interiors. The enriched volatile elements include the lithophilic volatile element Zn. The moderate enrichment of volatiles in chondrule rims and the lack of severe depletion in chondrules can account for the complete volatile inventory in Chainpur. These results support a three-component model of chondrite formation in which metal plus sulfide, chondrules plus rims and matrix silicates are mixed to form chondrites.

Wilkening, L. L.↗