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NASA NTRS1984

Balloon-borne and aircraft infrared measurements of ethane (C2H6) in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere

Quantitative infrared measurements of ethane (C2H6) in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere are reported. The results have been obtained from the analysis of absorption features of the nu9 band at 12.2 microns, which have been identified in high-resolution balloon-borne and aircraft solar absorption spectra. The balloon-borne spectral data were recorded at sunset with the 0.02/cm resolution University of Denver interferometer system, from a float altitude of 33.5 km near Alamogordo, New Mexico, on March 23, 1981. The aircraft spectra were recorded at sunset in July 1978 with a 0.06/cm resolution interferometer aboard a jet aircraft at 12 km altitude, near 35 deg N, 96 deg W. The balloon analysis indicates the C2H6 mixing ratio decreased from 3.5 ppbv near 8.8 km to 0.91 ppbv near 12.1 km. The results are consistent with the column value obtained from the aircraft data.

Goldman, A.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Aircraft measurements of ammonia and nitric acid in the lower troposphere

The first simultaneous measurements of ammonia and nitric acid in the troposphere have been made from an aircraft using a tungsten oxide denuder system. Vertical profiles of NH3 and HNO3 taken over coastal Virginia and Maryland in March and September, 1983, at altitudes from 150 m to 3000 m, show mixing ratios that decrease with altitude. Ammonia profiles show substantial seasonal variation, while nitric acid profiles do not. Using the measured profiles and a one-dimensional photochemical model, lifetimes due to heterogeneous loss of one day for HNO3 and ten days for NH3 are calculated. In contrast, NH3 profiles up to 5300 m over the North Atlantic Ocean during August 1982 show mixing ratios that increase slightly with altitude. These data represent the first ammonia profiles measured over the ocean. It is suggested that the increase in NH3 with altitude is a result of an ammonia-rich continental air mass advected over the ocean, followed by the dissolution of NH3 in the marine boundary layer on water-covered sea salt particles.

Lebel, P. J.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Aircraft measurements of aerosols in the upper troposphere at midlatitudes

Aircraft measurements of aerosols were made during the years 1982 to 1984 in the upper troposphere. In some cases, the influence of the local atmospheric pollution originating from the land surface was observed. The background concentration of the Mie particle was about 0.1/cu. cm. at an altitude of 6 to 8 km. An air mass of stratospheric origin was observed over the Japan sea in the winters of 1983 and 1984. The Mie particle concentration increased and the count ratio of two size ranges was found to be a large value in 1983, the value decreased to that of a background level in the stratosphere in 1984. The volcanic eruption of Mt. El Chichon seems to be responsible for the large aerosol count ratio of the measurements of 1983.

Morita, Y.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Measurements of concentrations of chlorofluoromethanes (CFMs) carbon dioxide and carbon isotope ratio in stratospheric and tropospheric air by grab-sampling systems

Measurements of concentrations of chlorofluoromethanes (CFMs), carbon dioxide and carbon isotope ratio in stratospheric and tropospheric air by grab-sampling systems are reported. The balloon-borne grab-sampling system has been launched from Sanriku Balloon Center three times since 1981. It consists of: (1) six sampling cylinders, (2) eight motor driven values, (3) control and monitor circuits, and (4) pressurized housing. Particular consideration is paid to the problem of contamination. Strict requirements are placed on the choice of materials and components, construction methods, cleaning techniques, vacuum integrity, and sampling procedures. An aluminum pressurized housing and a 4-m long inlet line are employed to prevent the sampling air from contamination by outgassing of sampling and control devices. The sampling is performed during the descent of the system. Vertical profiles of mixing ratios of CF2Cl2, CFCl3 and CH4 are given. Mixing ratios of CF2Cl2 and CFCl3 in the stratosphere do not show the discernible effect of the increase of those in the ground level background, and decrease with altitude. Decreasing rate of CFCl3 is larger than that of CF2Cl2. CH4 mixing ratio, on the other hand, shows diffusive equilibrium, as the photodissociation cross section of CH4 is small and concentrations of OH radical and 0(sup I D) are low.

Itoh, T.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Tropospheric ozone - Seasonal behavior, trends, and anthropogenic influence

In the present analysis of tropospheric ozone data, attention is given to spatial and temporal variations. Two modes of seasonal behavior are noted for surface ozone at mid-latitudes: a broad summer maximum within a few hundred km of industrial/urban areas in Europe and the U.S., and a minimum in summer or autumn in sparcely populated regions that are remote from industrial activity. These and limited historical data indicate that summertime concentrations of ozone near the surface in the rural areas of Europe and the U.S. may have increased between 20 and 100 percent since the 1940s. It is suggested that the summer maximum in ozone and other observed trends are due to photochemical production associated with anthropogenic emissions of NO(x), hydrocarbons, and CO from fossil fuel combustion.

Logan, J. A.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Free tropospheric carbon monoxide concentrations in 1950 and 1951 deduced from infrared total column amount measurements

Published total vertical column amounts of carbon monoxide deduced from infrared solar spectra recorded during 1950-51 in the Swiss Alps have been reanalyzed based on improved spectroscopic parameters for CO and a curve of growth. From a comparison of the 1950-51 results and modern measurements, an average increase of about 2 percent per year in the free tropospheric concentration of CO above Europe is estimated for 1950-77.

Rinsland, C. P.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Transient tropospheric electric fields resulting from sudden changes in ionospheric conductivity

Electric field mapping in the earth's atmosphere has been a research subject for more than 20 years. The present paper is concerned with the downward mapping of an ionospheric electric field into the troposphere following a 'sudden' - change in the atmospheric conductivity profile. The formulation is limited to the case of a static magnetic field which is vertical to the earth's surface. The obtained results are, therefore, most applicable at high latitudes. It is assumed that the 'sudden' change occurs within a fraction of a second and is sustained for a time of the order of at least several seconds. It is pointed out that such changes in ionospheric conductivity can occur as a result of sudden solar particle events (SPE) or particle precipitation into the lower ionosphere. Attention is given to theory, electric field calculations, and the obtained results.

Dejnakarintra, M.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Tropospheric calibration in radio interferometry

A new tropospheric mapping function is derived which is more accurate than previous mapping functions above elevations of 4 deg. The error due to the given analytic aproximation is estimated to be less than 0.2 percent for elevation angles larger than 6 deg (less than 0.4 cm at 6 deg). The mathematical expansion used in the derivation is valid for any laterally homogeneous atmospheric model of refractivity. The new mapping function, computer-generated ray tracing tables, and other mapping functions are compared.

Lanyi, G.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Distribution and geochemistry of aerosols in the tropical North Atlantic troposphere - Relationship to Saharan dust

Estimates of global aerosol production suggest that mobilization of natural eolian material greatly exceeds anthropogenic-related emissions, and it appears that soil material transported from arid regions by wind might be mainly responsible for the distribution of certain clay materials in oceanic sediments. In connection with studies related to an investigation of these possibilities, the present paper provides a discussion of the aerosol spatial distribution and its water-soluble chemical composition in the tropical North Atlantic troposphere during the ABLE-Barbados mission. Particular attention is given to the composition of the water-soluble fraction, since its chemical reactivity is important with respect to various atmospheric and biogeochemical processes. On the basis of the obtained results, it is suggested that Saharan dust has also a significant impact on the aerosol chemistry over the tropical North Atlantic.

Talbot, R. W.↗
NASA NTRS1986

A new technique for collection, concentration and determination of gaseous tropospheric formaldehyde

This article describes an improved technique for making in situ measurements of gaseous tropospheric formaldehyde (CH2O). The new technique is based on nebulization/reflux principles that have proved very effective in quantitatively scrubbing water soluble trace gases (e.g., CH2O) into aqueous mediums, which are subsequently analyzed. Atmospheric formaldehyde extractions and analyses have been performed with the nebulization/reflux concentrator using an acidified dinitrophenylhydrazine solution that indicate that quantitative analysis of CH2O at global background levels (about 0.1 ppbv) is feasible with 20-min extractions. Analysis of CH2O, once concentrated, is accomplished using high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet photometric detection. The CH2O-hydrazone derivative, produced by the reaction of 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine in H2SO4 acidified aqueous solution, is detected as CH2O.

Cofer, W. R., III↗
NASA NTRS1986

Tropospheric turbulence parameters measured by using the MU radar

The spectral width of the Doppler radar echo has been used to estimate the atmospheric turbulence parameters because it is directly related to the kinetic energy contained in the turbulence. However, sufficient care must be taken in deriving the turbulence parameters since the measured spectral width can be easily affected by undesired factors such as beam broadening, shear broadening, and the temporal variation of the wind field. Here researchers examine these factors in the case of the MU radar observation of the upper troposphere, and present preliminary results.

Sato, T.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Climatology of tropospheric vertical velocity spectra

Vertical velocity power spectra obtained from Poker Flat, Alaska; Platteville, Colorado; Rhone Delta, France; and Ponape, East Caroline Islands using 50-MHz clear-air radars with vertical beams are given. The spectra were obtained by analyzing the quietest periods from the one-minute-resolution time series for each site. The lengths of available vertical records ranged from as long as 6 months at Poker Flat to about 1 month at Platteville. The quiet-time vertical velocity spectra are shown. Spectral period ranging from 2 minutes to 4 hours is shown on the abscissa and power spectral density is given on the ordinate. The Brunt-Vaisala (B-V) periods (determined from nearby sounding balloons) are indicated. All spectra (except the one from Platteville) exhibit a peak at periods slightly longer than the B-V period, are flat at longer periods, and fall rapidly at periods less than the B-V period. This behavior is expected for a spectrum of internal waves and is very similar to what is observed in the ocean (Eriksen, 1978). The spectral amplitudes vary by only a factor of 2 or 3 about the mean, and show that under quiet conditions vertical velocity spectra from the troposphere are very similar at widely different locations.

Ecklund, W. L.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Remote temperature profiling in the troposphere and stratosphere by the radio-acoustic sounding technique

Radar application of the radio-acoustic sounding technique uses the Doppler frequency shift of radar echoes returning from the atmospheric wave structure, in association with a traveling acoustic pulse transmitted from the ground, to determine the speed of sound, and hence the atmospheric temperature, as a function of altitude. Temperature measurement in the troposphere and stratosphere were determined using the radio-acoustic sounding technique with the Radio-Acoustic Sounding System (RASS). Successful experiments were performed in March 1985, and in August 1985.

Matuura, N.↗
NASA NTRS1986

On the use of colour reflectivity plots to monitor the structure of the troposphere and stratosphere

The radar reflectivity, defined as the range squared corrected power of VHF radar echoes, can be used to monitor and study the temporal development of inversion layer, frontal boundaries and convective turbulence. From typical featurs of upward or downward motion of reflectivity structures, the advection/convection of cold and warm air can be predicted. High resolution color plots appear to be useful to trace and to study the life history of these structures, particularly their persistency, descent and ascent. These displays allow an immediate determination of the tropopause height as well as the determination of the tropopause structure. The life history of warm fronts, cold fronts, and occlusions can be traced, and these reflectivity plots allow detection of even very weak events which cannot be seen in the traditional meteorological data sets. The life history of convective turbulence, particular evolving from the planetary boundary layer, can be tracked quite easily. Its development into strong convection reaching the middle troposphere can be followed and predicted.

Rottger, J.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Tropospheric HO determination by FAGE

In the detection of tropospheric HO by laser excited fluorescence, and alternative air-sampling method, named FAGE (Fluorescence Assay with Gas Expansion) was introduced. Here the air is expanded through a nozzle prior to excitation, in order to improve the ratio of the HO signal to the scattered, fluorescent, and photolytic backgrounds. The improvement comes from the differing pressure dependence of the intensities of these four terms, as well as the distinguishability of their temporal waveforms at low pressures when excited by a pulsed laser. HO has been excited by a YAG/dye laser. Other lasers and pumping paths may perform as well or better in this method. With FAGE, chemical modulation of the HO signal was achieved by hydrocarbon addition to the nozzle flow, converting photolytic HO from an interference to a background. Chemical calibration of the instrumental response to external HO was also achieved, by hydrocarbon decay, at HO concentrations within the ambient range.

Hard, T. M.↗
NASA NTRS1986

A simple model for the interaction of planetary and synoptic-scale waves in the troposphere

The time-mean circulation of the troposphere during the Northern hemisphere winter is dominated by planetary-scale stationary waves superposed on longitudinal-mean westerly flow. The movement and generation of weather-making, synoptic-scale transient waves are controlled by this large-scale circulation. The interannual variablity of planetary scale waves determines the severity of the winter season over broad geographic regions through such factors as frequency of storms, precipitation and temperature. A conceptual model that incorporates these feedbacks between the two scales is developed and guides the formulation of the quantitative low-order model which retains a few basic physical processes and wave components. In the low-order model the fluxes of sensible heat and momentum and latent heat release by transient eddies are parameterized in terms of the evolving large-scale circulation. Radiative forcing and damping, planetary-scale variations in moisture and topography and Ekman dissipation are also included. Testing of this model is in progress. The results will help interpret experiments from sophisticated general-circulation models and ascertain the need for satellite observations of precipitation.

Branscome, Lee E.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Space Opportunities for Tropospheric Chemistry Research

The objective of this workshop was to assess future technological and scientific directions for measurements of tropospheric trace gases and aerosols from space. Various instrument technologies were considered including spectrometry, gas correlation filter radiometry, spectral radiometry, and lidar.

Levine, Joel S.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Spectral radiometry and tropospheric aerosols: Report of panel

The term aerosols, as used here, refers to the haze, smoke, and dust that appear in the troposphere. The term does not refer to the hydrometeors in cumulus and stratus clouds but does include the sulfuric acid-water droplets which are assumed to predominate in the stratospheric aerosol layer. The aerosol properties that were measured from satellites and those which can be made in the near term (up to 1992) will be reviewed. The capabilities that will exist in the years 1992 to 2000, with implementation of EOS, are then discussed. Finally, a few words will be said concerning the potential for aerosol measurements for the decade after 2000.

Fraser, Robert S.↗