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Kosters, J. J.

Publications and source records attributed to Kosters, J. J..

Stratospheric HNO3 measurements from 0.002/cm resolution solar occultation spectra and improved spectroscopic line parameters in the 5.8-micron region

Very-high-resolution FWHM solar-occultation spectra are investigated with a balloon-borne interferometer using revised spectroscopic line parameters for HNO3, O3, and H2O. The O3 and H2O data are evaluated to determine their capacity for interference in the HNO3 line which is studied in the nu sub 2 band at 5.8 microns. The line parameters developed with the stratospheric data are compared to data based on a HITRAN compilation as well as laboratory spectra with a 0.002/cm resolution. The line list is calculated and shown to include J and Ka transitions which improve the line parameters for HNO3 by accounting for the weaker absorption features in the stratospheric spectra. The stratospheric HNO3 profile developed analytically is compared to those based on reported measurements, and the one developed with the stratospheric solar spectra is found to be consistent with the measurements and confirm inherent measurement biases.

Goldman, A.↗

Long-term trends in the concentrations of SF6, CHClF2, and COF2 in the lower stratosphere from analysis of high-resolution infrared solar occultation spectra

Long-term trends in the concentrations of SF6, CHClF2 in the lower stratosphere are derived using results from analyses of the 1980 and of several more recently obtained IR solar occultation spectra. Results show that the increase rates of SF6 and CHClF2 were about 7.4/yr and 9.4/yr, respectively, which correspond to cumulative increases by factors of about 1.7 and 2.0 in the concentrations of these gases over the 7.2 yr measurement period. The average increase rate for COF2 was 10.3/yr over the same time period. The present results are compared with previously reported observations and trends and with one-dimensional model calculations.

Rinsland, C. P.↗

Long-Term Trends in the Concentrations of SF6, CHClF2, and COF2 in the Lower Stratosphere from Analysis of High-Resolution Infrared Solar Occultation Spectra

Long-term trends in the concentrations of SF6, CHClF2 (CFC-22), and COF2 in the lower stratosphere have been derived from analysis of ca. 1980 and more recent infrared solar occultation spectra recorded near 32 deg N latitude at approx. 0.02/ cm resolution. Consistent sets of line parameters and spectral calibration methods have been used in the retrievals to minimize systematic error effects. Quoted error limits are 1 sigma estimated precisions. The SF6 and CHClF2 results are based on spectra recorded by balloon-borne interferometers in March 1981 and June 1988 and a comparison of these results with the Atmospheric Trace Molecule Spectroscopy (ATMOS) Experiment/Spacelab 3 measurements obtained in May 1985 near 30 deg N latitude. In the 13-18 km altitude range the mean measured SF6 mixing ratio in parts per trillion by volume (pptv) increased from 1.17 +/- 0.21 in March 1981 to 2.02 +/- 0.20 pptv in June 1988, and the CHClF2 mixing ratio below 15 km altitude increased from 51 +/- 8 pptv in March 1981 to 102 +/- 10 pptv in June 1988. The CHClF2 retrievals used new empirical CHClF2 line parameters derived from 0.03/cm resolution laboratory spectra recorded at six temperatures between 203 and 293 K; the derived mixing ratios are approx. 30% higher than obtained with earlier sets of line parameters, thereby removing a large discrepancy noted previously between IR and in situ measurements of CHClF2. Assuming an exponential growth model for fitting the trends, SF6 and CHClF2 mean increase rates of 7.4% +/- 1.9% and 9.4% +/- 1.3% /year, are obtained, respectively, which correspond to cumulative increases by factors of approx. 1.7 and -2.0 in the concentrations of these gases over the 7.2-year measurement period. Analysis of spectra recorded in October 1979 and April 1989 yields COF2 volume mixing ratios that are respectively 0.44 +/- 0.17 and 1.21 +/- 0.24 times the ATMOS/Spacelab 3 values, from which an average COF2 increase rate of 10.3 +/- 1.8%/ year over this time period has been estimated. The present results are compared with previously reported observations and trends and with one-dimensional model calculations. The model calculated trends are in reasonably good agreement with the observations.

Rinsland, C. P.↗

High resolution solar spectrometer system for measuring atmospheric constituents

A mid-IR Michelson interferometer capable of obtaining 0.002/cm resolution solar spectra has been developed for balloon use. The interferometer is based on the Bomem self-aligning instrument, and is equipped with a solar tracking system, telemetry, and recording systems, as well as temperature control and gondola orientation. The interferometer has made two successful flights in the 7-14-micron interval up to 40 km. The basic systems are described and sample spectra are presented.

Murcray, Frank J.↗

New spectral features of stratospheric trace gases

A new Michelson-type interferometer system operating in the infrared at very high resolution (0.002 to 0.003 wavenumber FWHM) was used to record numerous balloon-borne solar absorption spectra of the stratosphere, ground-based solar absorption spectra, and laboratory spectra of molecules of atmospheric interest. Results obtained are reported for several important stratospheric trace gases, HNO3, ClONO2, HO2NO2, NO2, and COF2, in the 8 to 12 micron spectral region. Many features of these gases were identified in the stratospheric spectra. Comparison of the spectra with line-by-line simulations shows previous spectral parameters are often inadequate. New analysis of high resolution laboratory and atmospheric spectra and improved theoretical calculations will be required for all bands. Preliminary versions of several sets of improved line parameters are presented.

Goldman, A.↗

New spectral features of stratospheric trace gases identified from high-resolution infrared balloon-borne and laboratory spectra

A new Michelson-type interferometer system operating in the infrared at very high resolution has been used to record numerous balloon-borne solar absorption spectra of the stratosphere, ground-based solar absorption spectra, and laboratory spectra of molecules of atmospheric interest. In the present work results obtained for several important stratospheric trace gases, HNO3, CIONO2, HO2NO2, NO2, and COF2, in the 8- to 12-micron spectral region are reported. Many new features of these gases have been identified in the stratospheric spectra. Comparison of the new spectra with line-by-line simulations shows that previous spectral line parameters are often inadequate and that new analysis of high-resolution laboratory and atmospheric spectra and improved theoretical calculations will be required for many bands. Preliminary versions of several sets of improved line parameters under development are discussed.

Goldman, A.↗

Isotopic abundances of stratospheric ozone from balloon-borne high-resolution infrared solar spectra

IR solar absorption spectra at 0.002-0.0003/cm resolution in the 10-micron region obtained during two balloon flights near 32 deg N latitude are examined to determine the isotopic ratios of (O-16)(O-16)(O-18) and (O-16)(O-18)(O-16) relative to normal ozone in the stratosphere. For November 18, 1987, the results show column-averaged isotopic enhancement ratios of 1.20 + or - 0.14 and 1.40 + or - 0.18 for (O-16)(O-18)(O-16)/(O-16)(O-16)(O-16) and (O-16)(O-16)(O-18)/(O-16)(O-16)(O-16), respectively. The corresponding values for June 6, 1988, show ratios of 1.16 + or - 0.08 and 1.25 + or - 0.12. The results are compared with heavy-to-normal O3 ratios obtained using other techniques.

Goldman, A.↗

Balloon-borne remote sensing of stratospheric constituents

Data on species of interest in the photochemistry of the ozone layer obtained from balloon flights are presented. The flights made use of remote-sensing instruments that took measurements in the wavelength region from the ultraviolet to millimeter wavelengths. Most of the data were obtained with instruments whose readings were in the midinfrared wavelengths. Descriptions are given of the two techniques generally used in this type of research, namely solar absorption and atmospheric emission. The promise that these techniques hold for providing data on the photochemistry of the ozone layer is discussed.

Murcray, D. G.↗

Change in the solar constant between 1968 and 1978

Solar irradiance measurements made from a balloon on January 27, 1978 and February 10, 1980 show a change of 0.4% over similar measurements made in 1968. This change is greater than the uncertainty of the measurement and is felt to be the result of a change in the solar constant.

Kosters, J. J.↗

Stratospheric constituent measurements using UV solar occultation technique

The photochemistry of the stratospheric ozone layer was studied as the result of predictions that trace amounts of pollutants can significantly affect the layer. One of the key species in the determination of the effects of these pollutants is the OH radical. A balloon flight was made to determine whether data on atmospheric OH could be obtained from lower resolution solar spectra obtained from high altitude during sunset.

Murcray, D. G.↗

Remote sensing of trace constituents from atmospheric infrared emission and absorption spectra

Atmospheric infrared emission and absorption spectra obtained from aircraft and balloon-borne spectrometers are presented. From such spectra, mixing ratio vs altitude profiles are derived for several minor constituents. Recent results for HNO3, CF2Cl2, CFCl3, and HF are presented. In addition, the feasibility of infrared detection of other trace constituents, such as HCl, HF, NH3, NO and SO2, against the rest of the atmospheric background is studied. From this study, made on a line-by-line basis for 'state of the art' airborne spectrometers, potential spectral features for detection of the trace constituents are isolated.

Barker, D. B.↗