Engineering topics

Anderson, J. G.

Publications and source records attributed to Anderson, J. G..

At least 73 records · Page 4

NASA NTRS1990

Simultaneous, in situ measurements of OH and HO2 in the stratosphere

Stratospheric OH and HO2 radical densities have been measured between 36 and 23 km using a balloon-borne, in situ instrument launched from Palestine, Texas on August 25, 1989. OH is detected using the laser-induced fluorescence technique (LIF) employing a Cu-vapor-laser pumped dye laser coupled with an enclosed-flow detection chamber. HO2 is detected nearly simultaneously by adding NO to the sample flow to convert ambient HO2 to OH. Observed OH and HO2 densities ranged from 8.0 + or - 2.8 x 10 to the 6th and 1.4 + or - 0.5 x 10 to the 7th molec/cu cm, respectively, at 36 km, to 1.4 + or - 0.5 x 10 to the 6th and 3.0 + or - 1.0 x 10 to the 6th at 23 km, where the uncertainty is + or - sigma. The HO2 density exhibits a maximum in the 34-30 km region of 1.7 + or - 0.6 x 10 to the 7th. The data were obtained over a solar zenith angle variation of 51 deg at 36 km to 61 deg at 23 km. O3 and H2O densitites also were measured simultaneously with separate instruments.

Stimpfle, R. M.↗

NASA NTRS1990

In situ measurement of water vapor in the stratosphere with a cryogenically cooled Lyman-alpha hygrometer

In situ measurements of water vapor in the stratosphere with a new instrument are reported. The instrument has been designed to observe daytime water vapor from a multiinstrument balloon gondola that simultaneously measures free radicals such as OH, HO2, and O3 in the stratosphere up to 40 km. Lyman-alpha photofragment fluorescence is used to measure water molecules in a flowing sample of ambient air. A brief description of the instrument is given, followed by the results of the first four balloon flights. The measured mixing ratio for this flight varies from 3.0-5.5 ppmv over the altitude range of 17-34 km. Adjustments in the cooling protocol for the flights of July 6, 1988, July 28, and August 25, 1989, result in a much higher signal-to-noise ratio. Profiles from these three flights are similar to, but somewhat higher, than the 1987 profile. Implications of measurements are discussed, as are the issues of short- and long-term variability of stratospheric water vapor.

Schwab, J. J.↗

NASA NTRS1990

In situ observations of ClO in the Arctic Stratosphere - ER-2 aircraft results from 59 deg N to 80 deg N latitude

Large abundances of ClO were observed inside the Arctic polar vortex during 14 flights of the NASA ER-2 aircraft from Stavanger, Norway (59 deg N, 6 deg E) to 80 deg N latitude. Flights were conducted at altitudes between 14 and 20 km when the solar zenith angle was between 79 and 101 deg. Data are reported for three flights that represent the main features observed during the mission. These data, comparable to those obtained in the Antarctic ozone hole, indicate that the springtime Arctic polar vortex was extensively perturbed by heterogeneous chemistry and contained enough ClO to catalytically destroy ozone rapidly.

Brune, W. H.↗

NASA NTRS1990

The sunrise and sunset variation of ClO in the lower stratosphere

The abundances of ClO have been measured, in situ, in the lower stratosphere during sunrise and sunset. Measurements were made with an instrument mounted on the NASA ER-2 aircraft, which was flown at an altitude of 20 km and latitudes between 35 and 47 deg N during a morning and an evening flight. The abundances of ClO were observed over a dynamic range of 20 from a detection threshold of 1 part per trillion volume (pptv). These data confirm the sunrise variation of the photolysis of chlorine nitrate that is predicted by a zero-dimensional photochemical model. They also suggest that the absolute photolysis and termolecular formation of chlorine nitrate occur at rates consistent with nominal ClONO2 and NO2 concentrations.

Brune, W. H.↗

NASA NTRS1990

In situ measurements of BrO in the Arctic stratosphere

Mixing ratios of BrO have been measured in the Arctic lower statosphere with an instrument mounted on the NASA ER-2 aircraft. Observations from fourteen flights above the Arctic Circle in January and February of 1989 defined mixing ratios within the vortex of 4 + or - 2 parts per trillion by volume (pptv) at a potential temperature of 400 K, rising to 8 + or - 2 pptv at 470 K. These values are twice as large as values found at equivalent potential temperatures at lower latitudes, and are comparable to the mixing ratios found inside the antarctic polar vortex. Within the statistical uncertainty of the measurements, no BrO was observed in darkness at any time either inside or outside of the vortex, indicating that active bromine was sequestered in long-lived reservoirs, probably BrONO2 and BrCl. These measurements, in conjuction with measurements of ClO, demonstrate that the interaction of bromine and chlorine could represent a major sink for ozone in the presence of sunlight.

Toohey, D. W.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Balloon borne in-situ detection of OH in the stratosphere from 37 to 23 km

The OH number density in the stratosphere has been measured over the altitude interval of 37 to 23 km at midday via a balloon-borne gondola launched from Palestine, Texas on July 6, 1988. OH radicals are detected with a laser-induced fluorescence instrument employing a 17-kHz-repetition-rate copper vapor laser-pumped dye laser optically coupled to an enclosed flow, in-situ sampling chamber. OH abundances ranged from 88 + or - 3l pptv in the 36 to 35 km interval to 0.9 + or - 0.8 pptv in the 24 to 23 km interval. The stated uncertainty includes that from both measurement precision and accuracy. Simultaneous detection of ozone and water vapor densities was carried out with separate on-board instruments.

Stimpfle, R. M.↗

NASA NTRS1989

In situ observations of BrO over Antarctica - ER-2 aircraft results from 54 deg S to 72 deg S latitude

Bromine monoxide was observed in situ during nine flights of the NASA ER-2 aircraft from Punta Arenas, Chile (54 deg S latitude), to 72 deg S latitude over the Palmer Peninsula, Antarctica. The first flight for the BrO detection system was on August 28. The distribution of BrO inside the chemically perturbed region defined by greatly elevated ClO abundances was different from that found just outside. Inside, the BrO mixing ratio was 6.1 + or - 1.1 pptv above the 440 K potential temperature surface, 4.7 + or - 2.0 pptv between the 400 and 440 K surfaces, and less than 4 pptv below the 400 K surface. At high latitudes outside the chemically perturbed region, the BrO mixing ratio was 5.4 + or - 1.4 pptv near the 450 K surface, but decreased to 2.9 + or - 1.2 pptv at the 420 K surface. The abundance of BrO showed no discernible temporal trend during the course of the nine flights. Away from the south polar region, at latitudes between 47 deg S and 37 deg N and potential temperatures between 435 and 500 K (18.5- to 20.7-km altitude), the BrO mixing ratio was 0.5-3.0 pptv.

Brune, W. H.↗

NASA NTRS1989

In situ observations of ClO in the Antarctic - ER-2 aircraft results from 54 deg S to 72 deg S latitude

The spatial and temporal distributions of ClO in the latitude belt from 54 to 72 deg S during the later stages of austral winter were obtained from measurements aboard the ER-2 aircraft flying at the altitude of about 18 km into the Antarctic polar vortex. Mixing ratios of about 10 parts per trillion by volume (pptv) were found in the vicinity of 55 deg S, increasing to 50 pptv at 60 deg S. A steep gradient of the ClO mixing ratio occurred in the vicinity of 65 deg S, where, at a fixed potential temperature, the value of the ClO mixing ratio increased by an order of magnitude within a very few degrees of latitude, defining the edge of the 'chemically perturbed region' (CPR). At the southern extension of the flight track, peak mixing ratios increased sharply from 800 pptv on August 23 to 1100 pptv in early September, and then increased more slowly to 1200 pptv on September 22. This corresponds to enhancements 500 times the typical mid-latitude values.

Brune, W. H.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Nitrogen and chlorine species in the spring Antarctic stratosphere - Comparison of models with Airborne Antarctic Ozone Experiment observations

The concentrations and the time development of chlorine and nitrogen trace gases in the Antarctic stratosphere before, during, and after the Airborne Antractic Ozone Experiment (AAOE) were simulated using photochemical models of the Antractic stratosphere during winter/spring. The initial conditions in the calculations were constrained using observations by the AAOE instrument. The comparison of calculated results with the AAOE measurements of HCl and ClO suggest that heterogeneous chemistry was maintained throughout the month of September 1987.

Rodriguez, J. M.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Lagrangian photochemical modeling studies of the 1987 Antarctic spring vortex. II - Seasonal trends in ozone

A photochemical model consisting of 40 species and 107 reactions is integrated along 80-day air parcel trajectories calculated in the lower stratosphere for the springtime Antarctic. For the trajectory starting at 58 deg S, which may be regarded as outside the circumpolar vortex, only a small change in O3 occurs in the model. In contrast, for the air parcel starting in the vortex at 74 deg S, the O3 concentration is reduced by 93 percent during the 80 days from the beginning of August to late October. The model results for several species are compared with measurements from the Airborne Antarctic Ozone Experiment and, in general, good agreement is obtained. In the model, the dentrification of the air parcels in polar stratospheric clouds increases the amount of chlorine present in active form. Heterogeneous reactions maintain high active chlorine which destroys O3 via the formation of the ClO dimer. Results of calculations with reduced concentrations of inorganic chlorine show considerably reduced O3 destruction rates and compare favorably with the behavior of total O3 since the late 1970s. The remaining major uncertainties in the photochemical aspects of the Antarctic ozone hole are highlighted.

Austin, J.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Ozone destruction by chlorine radicals within the Antarctic vortex - The spatial and temporal evolution of ClO-O3 anticorrelation based on in situ ER-2 data

The chemical evolution of the Antarctic vortex region was studied during August 23-September 22, 1987 on the basis of in situ O3 and ClO data collected by the ER-2 aircraft. Particular attention is given to the evolution of the ClO-O3 anticorrelation from the first flight on August 23, 1987, which penetrated well into the vortex, through the course of 10 flights culminating on September 22, 1987. It is concluded that the disappearance of ozone within the Antarctic vortex results from halogen-catalyzed recombination of O3 to molecular oxygen.

Anderson, J. G.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Kinetics of O3 destruction by ClO and BrO within the Antarctic vortex - An analysis based on in situ ER-2 data

The kinetics of ozone destruction within the Antarctic polar vortex are studied via simultaneous in situ observations of ClO, BrO, O3, N2O, pressure, and temperature. It is found that the chlorine dimer mechanism rate, limited by the reaction ClO + ClO + M yields ClOOCl + M, contributes the most to the integrated rate of ozone destruction within the vortex on isentropic surfaces between altitudes of 14 and 18.3 km.

Anderson, J. G.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Lagrangian photochemical modeling studies of the 1987 Antarctic spring vortex. I - Comparison with AAOE observations

Results from the Lagrangian photochemical model integrated along computed air parcel trajectories intersected by the ER-2 aircraft are presented and compared with AAOE observations. According to the model, the BrO observations made from the ER-2 within the dehydrated denitrified region are consistent with there being approximately 5 parts per trillion by volume of BrO(y) at 428 K in spring. Within the high ClO region, ozone destruction rates are expected to exceed 2 percent/d with approximately 80 percent due to the ClO dimer mechanism.

Jones, R. L.↗

NASA NTRS1988

In-situ detection of OH in the lower stratosphere with a balloon borne high repetition rate laser system

Midday stratospheric OH density measurements have been carried out within the altitude interval of 31 to 24 km using the laser-induced fluorescence technique deployed on a balloon-borne gondola launched from Palestine, Texas on July 15, 1987. Laser output at 282 nm is produced with a pulsed, 17 kHz repetition rate, copper vapor laser pumped tunable dye laser. The OH mixing ratio ranged from 16 + or - 5 ppt at 31 km to 4 + or - 3 ppt in the 27 to 24 km region. Simultaneous ozone and water vapor measurements were also obtained with separate instruments.

Stimpfle, R. M.↗

NASA NTRS1988

In situ northern mid-latitude observations of ClO, O3, and BrO in the wintertime lower stratosphere

In order to test photochemical theories linking chlorofluorocarbon derivatives to O3 depletion at high latitudes in the springtime, several related atmospheric species, including O3, ClO, and BrO were measured in the lower stratosphere. The flight path extended to the center of the polar jet associated with but outside of the Arctic vortex, in which the abundance of O3 was twice its midlatitude value, whereas BrO levels were five parts per trillion (pptv) by volume between 18 and 21 km, and 2.4 pptv below that altitude. The ClO mixing ratio was as much as 65 pptv at 60 N latitude at an altitude of 20 km, and was enhanced over midlatitude values by a factor of three to five at altitudes above 18 km and by as much as a factor of 40 at altitudes below 17 km. Levels of ClO and O3 were highly correlated on all measured distance scales, and both showed an abrupt change in character at 54 N latitude. The ClO abundance north of 54 N was probably caused by low NO2 levels in the flight path.

Brune, W. H.↗

NASA NTRS1988

In situ observations of ClO in the Antarctic: Evidence for chlorine catalyzed destruction of ozone

Results from a series of 12 ER-2 aircraft flights into the Antarctic polar vortex are summarized. These in situ data define the spatial and temporal distribution of ClO as the aircraft flew at an altitude of approx. 18 km from Punta Arenas (54 deg S latitude) to the base of the Palmer Peninsula (72 deg S latitude), executed a rapid descent to approx. 13 km, turned north and climbed bach to approximately 18 km, returning to Punta Arenas. A general pattern in the ClO distribution is reported: mixing ratios of approximately 10 ppt are found at altitude in the vicinity of 55 deg S increasing to 50 ppt at 60 degrees S. In the vicinity of 65 deg S latitude a steep gradient in the ClO mixing ratio is observed. At a fixed potential temperature, the ClO mixing ratio through this sharp transition increases by an order of magnitude within a very few degrees of latitude, thus defining the edge of the chemical containment vessel. From the edge of that containment vessel to the southern extension of the flights, 72 deg S, a dome of slowly increasing ClO best describes the distribution. Conclusion are drawn from the data.

Anderson, J. G.↗

NASA NTRS1988

In situ observations of ClO in the wintertime Northern Hemisphere: ER-2 aircraft results from 21 N to 61 N latitude

Measurements of lower stratospheric ClO taken during a NASA ER-2 flight between Moffett Field, CA (37 N, 122 W) and Great Slave Lake, Canada (61 N, 116 W) on 13 February 1988 are reported. Northbound, the aircraft was flown at about 20 km altitude from 39 N to 56 N, at 18 km from there to 58 N, in a descent to 15 km at 60 N, and in a rise and turn at the northernmost point. The southbound leg was flown in a gradual climb from 20 km to 21.5 km. On this day, the central position of the Arctic polar vortex, as determined by an NMC analysis of heights and temperatures at the 50 mb and 70 mb levels, was approximately 79 N, 100 W. Because the vortex was located on the North American side of the pole, the aircraft was able to reach a point slightly inside the maximum horizontal wind region where wind speeds were 80 to 90 knots. The general pattern for the observed ClO is that it increased with both latitude and altitude, and attained a maximum of about 55 pptv at 61 N latitude and 20.5 km altitude. This value is about 20 times smaller than the maxima observed over Antarctica, but is comparable to those seen just outside the chemical containment vessel located inside the Antarctic Polar vortex. On the other hand, in a comparison with northern midlatitude data taken on this and three other February flights, ClO mixing ratios observed north of 55 N latitude are 2 to 5 times larger at all flight altitudes (15 to 20 km). Possible reasons are discussed for this enhancement over midlatitude and the evidence is considered for whether or not the instruments sampled Arctic polar vortex air. A second feature of the data is the strong positive correlation between ClO and O3 during the entire flight.

Brune, W. H.↗

NASA NTRS1988

In situ observations of BrO over Antarctica: ER-2 aircraft results from 54 S to 72 S latitude

Bromine monoxide was observed in situ at approximately 18 km altitude during nine flights of the NASA ER-2 aircraft from Punta Arenas, Chile (54 altitude) to 72 S latitude over the Palmer Peninsula, Antarctica. The first flight for the BrO detection system was on 28 August. Here, the results from the flights over Antarctica and from the ferry flights from Punta Arenas to Moffett Field, CA (37 N latitude are reported. A key question concerning BrO, then, is how it is distributed with respect to the chemical containment vessel defined by elevated ClO mixing ratios. This question is answered with greatest statistical significance if the data are averaged into five regions: outside the vessel, aircraft heading south; inside the vessel on the same potential temperature surface; in the dive region; inside the vessel on a given potential temperature surface, aircraft heading north; and outside the vessel on the same surface. The result is that the BrO distribution inside the chemical containment vessel was different from that found outside. Inside, the BrO mixing ratio was (5.0 plus or minus 1.1) pptv between the 400 K and 460 K potential temperature surfaces, decreasing only slightly with potential temperature, and was less than 3.6 pptv below the 4 00 K surface. The abundance of BrO inside the chemical containment vessel showed no discernible temporal trend during the course of the nine flights. Outside the vessel, the BrO mixing ratio was (4.7 plus or minus 1.3) pptv near the 450 K surface, but decreased to (2.8 plus or minus 1.0) pptv near the 420 K surface.

Brune, W. H.↗