Engineering topics

Levine, Joel S.

Publications and source records attributed to Levine, Joel S..

67 records · Page 4

NASA NTRS1988

Enhanced biogenic emissions of nitric oxide and nitrous oxide following surface biomass burning

Recent measurements indicate significantly enhanced biogenic soil emissions of both nitric oxide (NO) and nitrous oxide (N2O) following surface burning. These enhanced fluxes persisted for at least six months following the burn. Simultaneous measurements indicate enhanced levels of exchangeable ammonium in the soil following the burn. Biomass burning is known to be an instantaneous source of NO and N2O resulting from high-temperature combustion. Now it is found that biomass burning also results in significantly enhanced biogenic emissions of these gases, which persist for months following the burn.

Anderson, Iris C.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Trace gas emissions from a mid-latitude prescribed chaparral fire

Smoke-plume gas samples were collected at altitudes from 35-670 m above the ground over the San Dimas Experimental Forest during a 400-acre prescribed chaparral fire. Mean emission ratios relative to CO2 for CO, H2, CH4, and total nonmethane hydrocarbons were lower than previous values obtained for large biomass-burning field experiments. Comparison of samples from vigorously flaming and mixed stages of combustion revealed little differences in CO2 normalized emission ratios for these gases (except for N2O).

Cofer, Wesley R., III↗

NASA NTRS1988

Infrared measurements of increased CF2Cl2 (CFC-12) absorption above the South Pole

An increase in the CF2Cl2 total vertical column above the South pole of 1.24 + or - 0.15 over a 6-year period from 1980 to 1986, corresponding to an average increase of 3.6 + or - 2.1 percent, is found by high-resolution, ground-based solar spectra analyzed in the nu(8) band Q branches at 1161/cm of CF2Cl. This rate of increase is lower than indicated by in situ measurements at the South Pole over the same period, but substantial agreement results when the rather large error margins of the spectral analysis results are considered.

Rinsland, Curtis P.↗

NASA NTRS1988

The atmospheres of the earth and the other planets: Origin, evolution and composition

The current understanding of the composition, chemistry, and structure of the atmospheres of the other planets and the origin, early history, and evolution of the earth's atmosphere is reviewed. The information on the atmospheres of the other planets is based on the successful Mariner, Viking, Pioneer, and Voyager missions to these planets. The information on the origin, early history, and evolution of the atmosphere, which is somewhat speculative, is largely based on numerical studies with geochemical and photochemical models.

Levine, Joel S.↗

NASA NTRS1988

The origin and evolution of atmospheric oxygen

This paper discusses the chemical processes involved in the evolution of the earth's atmospheric oxygen and ozone, as well as the sources, sinks, and transfer rates of oxygen in the present atmosphere. Special attention is given the evolution of atmospheric O3 as a function of the buildup of O2, with the results of calculations presented as the vertical profiles of O3, in terms of the present atmospheric level (PAL) oxygen values. Calculations show that the total O3 column density that is approximately half of the present level was reached when atmospheric oxygen level reached 0.1 PAL. At this level of ozone, the biological shielding of the earth's surface from the UV radiation is believed to have been achieved.

Levine, Joel S.↗

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

Simultaneous field measurements of biogenic emissions of nitric oxide and nitrous oxide

Seasonal and diurnal emissions of NO and N2O from agricultural sites in Jamestown, Virginia and Boulder, Colorado are estimated in terms of soil temperature; percent moisture; and exchangeable nitrate, nitrite, and ammonium concentrations. The techniques and procedures used to analyze the soil parameters are described. The spatial and temporal variability of the NO and N2O emissions is studied. A correlation between NO fluxes in the Virginia sample and nitrate concentration, temperature, and percent moisture is detected, and NO fluxes for the Colorado site correspond with temperature and moisture. It is observed that the N2O emissions are only present when percent moisture approaches or exceeds the field capacity of the soil. The data suggest that NO is produced primarily by nitrification in aerobic soils, and N2O is formed by denitrification in anaerobic soils.

Anderson, Iris Cofman↗

NASA NTRS1987

Planetary atmospheres

Present understanding of planetary atmospheres is surveyed. The formation of the planets and their atmospheres is briefly reviewed, and attention is given to the compositions of the atmospheres of earth, Venus, and Mars, the outer planets, and Titan. Lists of the individual atmospheric gases and their concentrations are included.

Levine, Joel S.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Vertical distributions of molecular hydrogen off the eastern and Gulf coasts of the United States

The vertical distributions of molecular hydrogen (H2) and carbon monoxide (CO) were determined during spiraling maneuvers from aircraft off the eastern coast of the United States and over the Gulf of Mexico. H2 was always at its lowest levels in the boundary layer, averaging about 500 parts per billion by volume (ppbv). H2 mixing ratios determined in the free troposphere were typically higher (600-700 ppbv), and often suggested a small progressive increase with altitude. Several large free-tropospheric H2 plumes (mixing ratios as high as 1-2 parts per million by volume) were implied by the data. These H2 plumes were not always accompanied by corresponding increases in CO mixing ratios. This result is most difficult to explain when it is noted that the primary atmospheric sources for molecular H2 are considered to be combustion and photochemistry, both of which should be strong CO sources also.

Cofer, Wesley R., III↗

NASA NTRS1986

Identification and measurement of atmospheric ethane (C2H6) from a 1951 infrared solar spectrum

C2H6 absorption features in the 2980/cm spectral region of the solar spectrum recorded in April, 1951 were analyzed to determine the total vertical column amount and average free tropospheric mixing ratio of C2H6 above Jungfraujoch in the Swiss Alps. The PQ1 subbranch is the best isolated of the three C2H6 features in the 1951 spectrum, with an equivalent width of 0.0099 + or - 0.0025/cm. Results give a total vertical column amount of 9.7 x 10 to the 15th C2H6 molecules/sq cm, with an accuracy of + or - 30 percent. March 1981 measurements from this region give a mixing ratio of about 2.0 ppbv, 2.2 times larger than the 1951 value, suggesting a long-term increase in the free tropospheric C2H6 concentration over western Europe.

Rinsland, Curtis P.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Day and night profiles of tropospheric nitrous oxide

Daytime and nighttime vertical profiles of the tropospheric trace gas N2O were determined from grab sample collections off the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of Florida. The grab samples were collected during the week of October 7-13, 1984, from a Lear jet during descent spirals over an altitude range of 12.5-0.3 km in approximately 1.2-km intervals. During this period there were two distinct airflow regimes sampled: (1) the surface boundary layer (less than 2 km), in which the wind direction was typically easterly; and (2) the regime above the boundary layer, which was predominantly characterized by westerly flow. N2O mixing ratios, normalized to dry air, were determined from 148 daytime and nighttime samplings. N2O was found to be uniformly mixed at all altitudes at 301.9 + or - 2.4 parts per billion by volume.

Cofer, Wesley R., III↗

NASA NTRS1986

The early atmosphere - A new picture

Over the last few years, discoveries in astronomy, geochemistry, and atmospheric chemistry have resulted in a new picture of how our planet and its atmosphere formed. The traditional view held that the early atmosphere was composed of methane, ammonia, and molecular hydrogen, but the actual composition may have been nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and water vapor. The history leading to the present understanding is discussed and topics covered include: chemical evolution, origin of the atmosphere, atmospheric evolution on earth, Venus, and Mars, and prebiological atmospheric oxygen and the early sun.

Levine, Joel S.↗

NASA NTRS1986

Space opportunities for tropospheric chemistry research

The use of the Space Shuttle to measure tropospheric trace species is examined. Factors which affect the measurement of tropospheric trace species are discussed. The Academy of Sciences 1985 report categorized the trace species into levels: first-level gases include water vapor, O3, CO, and CH4, and the second-level gases are N2O, NO2, NH3, SO2, chlorofluoromethanes, and HCl. The effects of first-level gases on the earth's climate, the photochemistry/chemistry of the troposphere, and the photochemical/chemical production and destruction of the hydroxyl radical are studied; the distribution and magnitude of the hydroxyl radical in the troposphere are analyzed in terms of water vapor, O3, CO, and CH4.

Levine, Joel S.↗