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At least 19 records

Total mixing ratios

The total mixing ratio of an atom, which may be contained in any number of different molecules, is derived as a function of altitude for the earth's mesosphere and stratosphere. It is shown that the total mixing ratio of most atoms is constant; for an escaping gas, such as hydrogen, the ratio decreases with altitude, whereas the mixing ratios of atoms deposited by meteors increase with altitude. The analysis shows that by using total mixing ratios, the individual mixing ratios at a certain altitude can be related to those of another altitude without any restrictions on chemical lifetimes.

Thomas, R. J.↗

New Examination of the Traditional Raman Lidar Technique II: Temperature Dependence Aerosol Scattering Ratio and Water Vapor Mixing Ratio Equations

In a companion paper, the temperature dependence of Raman scattering and its influence on the Raman water vapor signal and the lidar equations was examined. New forms of the lidar equation were developed to account for this temperature sensitivity. Here we use those results to derive the temperature dependent forms of the equations for the aerosol scattering ratio, aerosol backscatter coefficient, extinction to backscatter ratio and water vapor mixing ratio. Pertinent analysis examples are presented to illustrate each calculation.

Whiteman, David N.↗

Balloon and aircraft measurement of stratospheric sulfate mixing ratio following the El Chichon eruption

Profiles of sulfate mixing ratio versus altitude over the range 15-28 km were obtained from filter samples collected aboard balloons and U-2 aircraft. Observations were made in the summer, fall, and winter following the March-April 1982, El Chichon eruption. Observed sulfate mixing ratios were approximately two orders of magnitude greater than typical background (not volcanically augmented) mixing ratios. The sulfate mixing ratios obtained form the aircraft filter measurements were in good agreement with the results from a wire impactor and a particle counter flown simultaneously. Computations of the amount of sulfate contained in a vertical column of sq m were in agreement with similar calculations from airborne lidar, balloon-borne particle counters, and Solar Mesosphere Explorer satellite radiance retrievals.

Gandrud, B. W.↗

Interrelationships between mixing ratios of long-lived stratospheric constituents

Relationships between the simultaneously measured mixing ratios of certain stratospheric constituents that are sometimes linear are argued to be expected for species of sufficiently long lifetime. Species whose local lifetimes are longer than quasi-horizontal-transport time scales are in climatological slope equilibrium, i.e., they share surfaces of constant mixing ratio, and a scatter plot of the mixing ratio of one versus that of the other collapses to a compact curve whose slope at any point is the ratio of the net global fluxes of the two species through the corresponding surface of constant mixing ratio. Species whose local lifetimes are greater than vertical transport time scales are in gradient equilibrium and their mixing ratios display a linear relationship. These statements are illustrated using results from a 2D chemistry-transport model.

Plumb, R. A.↗

Middle and upper tropospheric carbon monoxide mixing ratios as measured by a satellite-borne remote sensor during November 1981

Mixing ratios of tropospheric carbon monoxide measured by a gas filter radiometer carried aboard the Space Shuttle during November 1981 are reported. The data represent average mixing ratios in the middle and upper troposphere between 38 deg N and 38 deg S latitude. Approximately 10,000 individual measurements were obtained in each of the two channels of the instrument. The data are presented in the form of plots that show the individual carbon monoxide mixing ratio measurements as a function of latitude and longitude and in the form of maps that show the data averaged over 5 deg latitude by 5 deg longitude squares. The data show relatively little variation in the mixing ratio in the Southern Hemisphere; however, the data from both the tropics and the Northern Hemisphere show strong gradients with both latitude and longitude.

Reichle, H. G., Jr.↗

The retrieval of atmospheric constituent mixing-ratio profiles from solar absorption spectra

Methods used to determine various atmospheric gas distributions are summarized. The experimentally determined mixing ratio profiles (the mixing ratio of a gas is the ratio of the number of gas molecules to the number of air molecules) of some atmospheric gases are shown. In most in situ experiments stratospheric gas samples are collected at several altitudes by balloon, aircraft, or rocket. These samples are then analyzed by various methods. Mixing ratio profiles of Ci, ClO, and OH were determined by laser induced fluorescence of samples. Others have analyzed gas samples by gas chromatography in order to determine the molecular abundances of CCl2F2, CCl4, CCl3F, CFCl3, CF2Cl2, CHClF2, CH3CCl3, CH4, CO, C2Cl3F3, C2Cl4, C2HCl3, C2H2, C2H4, C2H6, C3H8, C6H6, C7H8, H2, and N2O.

Shaffer, W. A.↗

Flowmeter determines mix ratio for viscous adhesives

Flowmeter determines mix ratio for continuous flow mixing machine used to produce an adhesive from a high viscosity resin and aliphatic amine hardener pumped through separate lines to a rotary blender. The flowmeter uses strain gages in the two flow paths and monitors their outputs with appropriate instrumentation.

Lemons, C. R.↗

Tower Water-Vapor Mixing Ratio Value-Added Product Report

The purpose of the Tower Water-Vapor Mixing Ratio (TWRMR) value-added product (VAP) is to calculate water-vapor mixing ratios at the 25-meter and 60-meter levels of the meteorological tower and also report best-estimate temperature, relative humidity, and pressure measurements at the 2-meter, 25-meter, and 60-meter levels at the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) user facility Southern Great Plains (SGP) Central Facility. Because there are no barometric pressure sensors at the 25-meter and 60-meter levels on the tower, the hypsometric equation is used along with surface pressure values from the surface meteorological instrumentation (MET), the surface meteorological observation system (SMOS), or the temperature, humidity, wind, and pressure system (THWAPS) to derive barometric pressures at those altitudes (Ritsche 2008, 2011a, 2011b). After this is done, water-vapor mixing ratio can be calculated directly.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Deriving New Mixing Ratios for Venus Atmospheric Gases Using Data From the Pioneer Venus Large Probe Neutral Mass Spectrometer

We present the first published method to convert data obtained by the Pioneer Venus Large Probe Neutral Mass Spectrometer (LNMS) into units of mixing ratio (ppm) and volume percent (v%) against CO 2 and N 2 , the dominant Venus atmospheric gases, including conversion to density (kg m −3 ). These unit conversions are key to unlocking the untapped potential of the data, which represents a significant challenge given the scant calibration data in the literature. Herein, we show that our data treatments and conversions yield mixing ratios and volume percent values for H 2 O, N 2 , and SO 2 that are within error to those reported for the gas chromatograph (LGC) on the Pioneer Venus Large Probe (PVLP). For the noble gases, we developed strategies to correct for instrument biases by treating the data as a relative scale and using PVLP and Venera-based measurements as calibration points. Together, these methods, conversions, calibrations, and comparisons afford novel unit conversions for the LNMS data and yield unified measures for Venus’ atmosphere from the LNMS and LGC on the PVLP. - Conversion into mixing ratio (ppm), volume percent (v%), and density (kg m −3 ). - Mixing ratios are expressed against CO 2 and N 2 . - LNMS and LGC measurements on the PVLP are consistent.

Venus↗

Mixing ratios of trace gases in the austral polar atmosphere during August and September of 1987

Mixing ratios are presented for a number of long-lived trace gases in the austral polar atmosphere during August and September of 1987. The recent discovery of a 12-year trend of increasing depletion of ozone over the Antarctic Continent in the spring of each year led to numerous theoretical interpretations and several scientific expeditions to the region. The results herein were obtained as part of a major effort involving penetration of the region of ozone depletion by NASA's multi-instrumented aircraft. One of the 14 instruments on the high-altitude ER-2 aircraft collected pressurized air samples between latitudes of 53 degrees and 72 degrees south at pressure altitudes up to 21 km in a series of 12 flights from Punta Arenas, Chile, over the Palmer Peninsula. The sampling system, located in the nose section of ER-2, has an inlet tube in the free airstream, a metal-bellows air pump, and 14 specially treated 1.6 l stainless-steel canisters for containing the pressurized air at 350 kPa. A typical flight profile consisted of a southbound path on the 428 K potential temperature surface, a descent to a pressure altitude of 13.7 km, a climb to the 460 K surface, and return on this surface. Mixing ratios for the trace gases were obtained from gas chromatographic analyses of the pressurized air samples. Of the species measured, the mixing ratios for CH4, CO, N2O, CF2 Cl2, CFCl3, CH3, CCl3, CCl4, and C2F3Cl3 are reported here.

Vedder, James F.↗

Molecular Oxygen Mixing Ratio and Its Seasonal Variability in the Martian Atmosphere

The mixing ratio of molecular oxygen and other species that do not condense at martian ambient conditions will vary as the mass of atmosphere oscillates over a martian year due to alternate condensation and vaporization of carbon dioxide at the poles. This variation can be estimated utilizing measurements of mixing ratio made in-situ together with multi-year measurements of atmospheric pressure, both available from the Viking landers starting in 1976. The concentration of non-condensables, on average, will be approximately an inverse function of the atmospheric pressure.

England, Christopher↗

Dynamical factors affecting ozone mixing ratios in the Antarctic lower stratosphere

An account is given of the climatology and interannual variability of dynamical quantities and ozone mixing ratios during the Southern Hemisphere spring for 1979-1984. The seasonal variation in temperature in the lower stratosphere is repeatable; a steep decrease in zonal mean ozone mixing ratios is observed around 60 deg S toward the South Pole in September which, with time, becomes shallower in association with minor warmings and a final warming. Climatological synoptic charts in the lower stratosphere show the circumpolar circulation in the geopotential height field and the prominence of planetary wave 1 in the temperature and ozone fields. When wave activity is strong, there are weaker westeries, higher temperatures, and higher ozone mixing ratios at high latitudes.

Shiotani, Masato↗

Semi-Empirical Validation of the Cross-Band Relative Absorption Technique for the Measurement of Molecular Mixing Ratios

Studies were performed to carry out semi-empirical validation of a new measurement approach we propose for molecular mixing ratios determination. The approach is based on relative measurements in bands of O2 and other molecules and as such may be best described as cross band relative absorption (CoBRA). . The current validation studies rely upon well verified and established theoretical and experimental databases, satellite data assimilations and modeling codes such as HITRAN, line-by-line radiative transfer model (LBLRTM), and the modern-era retrospective analysis for research and applications (MERRA). The approach holds promise for atmospheric mixing ratio measurements of CO2 and a variety of other molecules currently under investigation for several future satellite lidar missions. One of the advantages of the method is a significant reduction of the temperature sensitivity uncertainties which is illustrated with application to the ASCENDS mission for the measurement of CO2 mixing ratios (XCO2). Additional advantages of the method include the possibility to closely match cross-band weighting function combinations which is harder to achieve using conventional differential absorption techniques and the potential for additional corrections for water vapor and other interferences without using the data from numerical weather prediction (NWP) models.

Pliutau, Denis↗

Estimated SAGE II ozone mixing ratios in early 1993 and comparisons with Stratospheric Photochemistry, Aerosols and Dynamic Expedition measurements

An empirical time-series model for estimating ozone mixing ratios based on Stratospheric Aerosols and Gas Experiment II (SAGE II) monthly mean ozone data for the period October 1984 through June 1991 has been developed. The modeling results for ozone mixing ratios in the 10- to 30- km region in early months of 1993 are presented. In situ ozone profiles obtained by a dual-beam UV-absorption ozone photometer during the Stratospheric Photochemistry, Aerosols and Dynamics Expedition (SPADE) campaign, May 1-14, 1993, are compared with the model results. With the exception of two profiles at altitudes below 16 km, ozone mixing ratios derived by the model and measured by the ozone photometer are in relatively good agreement within their individual uncertainties. The identified discrepancies in the two profiles are discussed.

Yue, G. K.↗

Increasing Springtime Ozone Mixing Ratios in the Free Troposphere Over Western North America

In the lowermost layer of the atmosphere - the troposphere - ozone is an important source of the hydroxyl radical, an oxidant that breaks down most pollutants and some greenhouse gases. High concentrations of tropospheric ozone are toxic, however, and have a detrimental effect on human health and ecosystem productivity1. Moreover, tropospheric ozone itself acts as an effective greenhouse gas. Much of the present tropospheric ozone burden is a consequence of anthropogenic emissions of ozone precursors resulting in widespread increases in ozone concentrations since the late 1800s. At present, east Asia has the fastest-growing ozone precursor emissions. Much of the springtime east Asian pollution is exported eastwards towards western North America. Despite evidence that the exported Asian pollution produces ozone, no previous study has found a significant increase in free tropospheric ozone concentrations above the western USA since measurements began in the late 1970s. Here we compile springtime ozone measurements from many different platforms across western North America. We show a strong increase in springtime ozone mixing ratios during 1995-2008 and we have some additional evidence that a similar rate of increase in ozone mixing ratio has occurred since 1984. We find that the rate of increase in ozone mixing ratio is greatest when measurements are more heavily influenced by direct transport from Asia. Our result agrees with previous modelling studies, which indicate that global ozone concentrations should be increasing during the early part of the twenty-first century as a result of increasing precursor emissions, especially at northern mid-latitudes, with western North America being particularly sensitive to rising Asian emissions. We suggest that the observed increase in springtime background ozone mixing ratio may hinder the USA s compliance with its ozone air quality standard.

Cooper, O. R.↗

Satellite Boreal Measurements over Alaska and Canada During June-July 2004: Simultaneous Measurements of Upper Tropospheric CO, C2H6, HCN, CH3Cl, CH4, C2H2, CH2OH, HCOOH, OCS, and SF6 Mixing Ratios

Simultaneous ACE (Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment) upper tropospheric CO, C2H6, HCN, CH3Cl, CH4 , C2H2 , CH30H, HCOOH, and OCS measurements show plumes up to 185 ppbv (10 (exp -9) per unit volume) for CO, 1.36 ppbv for C2H6, 755 pptv (10(exp -12) per unit volume) for HCN, 1.12 ppbv for CH3C1, 1.82 ppmv, (10(exp -6) per unit volume) for CH4, 0.178 ppbv for C2H2, 3.89 ppbv for CH30H, 0.843 ppbv for HCOOH, and 0.48 ppbv for OCS in western Canada and Alaska at 50 deg N-68 deg N latitude between 29 June and 23 July 2004. Enhancement ratios and emission factors for HCOOH, CH30H, HCN, C2H6, and OCS relative to CO at 250-350 hPa are inferred from measurements of young plumes compared with lower mixing ratios assumed to represent background conditions based on a CO emission factor derived from boreal measurements. Results are generally consistent with the limited data reported for various vegetative types and emission phases measured in extratropical forests including boreal forests. The low correlation between fire product emission mixing ratios and the S176 mixing ratio is consistent with no significant SF6 emissions from the biomass fires.

Rinsland, Curtis P.↗

Stratospheric HF mixing ratio profiles in the northern and southern hemispheres

Spectra obtained by balloon-borne Michelson interferometers over South Australia in 1977 and New Mexico in 1978 have been analyzed to obtain HF mixing ratios using a recently developed, sensitive analysis method for Fourier transform spectroscopy. The stratospheric HF mixing ratio appears to be significantly larger in the northern hemisphere than in the southern hemisphere for similar respective latitudes with the profiles having a similar vertical shape: the HF mixing ratio increases from 20 to 25 km, stays approximately constant between 25 and 35 km, and increases upward from 35 km. A brief discussion is given of possible causes for HF profile shape.

Park, J. H.↗