scholarly journals Sources and variability of non-methane hydrocarbons in the Eastern Mediterranean

2013 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 333-340
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Seasonal Variations ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Lower Troposphere ◽  
Rural Site ◽  
Background Concentration ◽  
Biogenic Origin ◽  
Mixing Ratios ◽  
Stationary Sources ◽  
Biogenic Source

The volume mixing ratios of non-methane hydrocarbons including saturated, unsaturated and aromatic ones (C2 to C8 as non methane hydrocarbons, NMHCS) were measured at three distinct sites (natural, rural, urban) in the lower troposphere of the Eastern Mediterranean from February 2006 to March 2007. Average concentrations for most of the NMHC show clear seasonal variations along the year mainly attributed to photochemistry. Significant correlations found among various hydrocarbons indicate contribution from mobile and stationary sources (exhaust and combustion). Leakages from natural gas (NG) or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) probably from the continental platforms may account for important sources for the background concentration of ethane and propane in the area. Isoprene has been found to have mostly a biogenic source but its dual anthropogenic–biogenic origin was also evident at the rural site.

scholarly journals Vertical ozone measurements in the troposphere over the Eastern Mediterranean and comparison with Central Europe

2007 ◽  
Vol 7 (14) ◽  
pp. 3783-3790 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. D. Kalabokas ◽  
A. Volz-Thomas ◽  
J. Brioude ◽  
V. Thouret ◽  
J.-P. Cammas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Central Europe ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Lower Troposphere ◽  
Mediterranean Area ◽  
Quality Standard ◽  
Back Trajectories ◽  
Mixing Ratios ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Basin ◽  
Vertical Ozone ◽  
Ozone Levels

Abstract. Vertical ozone profiles measured in the period 1996–2002 in the framework of the MOZAIC project (Measurement of Ozone and Water Vapor by Airbus in Service Aircraft) for flights connecting Central Europe to the Eastern Mediterranean basin (Heraklion, Rhodes, Antalya) were analysed in order to evaluate the high rural ozone levels recorded in the Mediterranean area during summertime. The 77 flights during summer (JJAS) showed substantially (10–12 ppb, 20–40%) enhanced ozone mixing ratios in the lower troposphere over the Eastern Mediterranean frequently exceeding the 60 ppb, 8-h EU air quality standard, whereas ozone between 700 hPa and 400 hPa was only slightly (3–5 ppb, 5–10%) higher than over Central Europe. Analysis of composite weather maps for the high and low ozone cases, as well as back-trajectories and vertical profiles of carbon monoxide, suggest that the main factor leading to high tropospheric ozone values in the area is anticyclonic influence, in combination with a persistent northerly flow in the lower troposphere during summertime over the Aegean. On the other hand the lowest ozone levels are associated with low-pressure systems, especially the extension of the Middle East low over the Eastern Mediterranean area.

scholarly journals Vertical ozone measurements in the troposphere over the Eastern Mediterranean and comparison with Central Europe

2007 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 2249-2274 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. D. Kalabokas ◽  
A. Volz-Thomas ◽  
J. Brioude ◽  
V. Thouret ◽  
J.-P. Cammas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Central Europe ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Lower Troposphere ◽  
Mediterranean Area ◽  
Quality Standard ◽  
Back Trajectories ◽  
Mixing Ratios ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Basin ◽  
Vertical Ozone ◽  
Ozone Levels

Abstract. Vertical ozone profiles measured in the period 1996–2002 in the framework of the MOZAIC project (Measurement of Ozone and Water Vapor by Airbus in Service Aircraft) for flights connecting Central Europe to the Eastern Mediterranean basin (Heraklion, Rhodes; Antalya) were analysed in order to evaluate the high rural ozone levels recorded in the Mediterranean area during summertime. The 77 flights during summer (JJAS) showed significantly (10–12 ppb, 20–40%) enhanced ozone mixing ratios in the lower troposphere over the Eastern Mediterranean frequently exceeding the 60 ppb, 8-h EU air quality standard, whereas ozone between 700 hPa and 400 hPa was only slightly (3–5 ppb, 5–10%) higher than over central Europe. Analysis of composite weather maps for the high and low ozone cases, as well as back-trajectories and vertical profiles of carbon monoxide, suggest that the main factor leading to high tropospheric ozone values in the area is anticyclonic influence, in combination with a persistent northerly flow in the lower troposphere during summertime over the Aegean. On the other hand the lowest ozone levels are associated with low-pressure systems, especially the extension of the Middle East low over the Eastern Mediterranean area.

scholarly journals Examination of the atmospheric conditions associated with high and low summer ozone levels in the lower troposphere over the eastern Mediterranean

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (20) ◽  
pp. 10339-10352 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. D. Kalabokas ◽  
J.-P. Cammas ◽  
V. Thouret ◽  
A. Volz-Thomas ◽  
D. Boulanger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Tropospheric Ozone ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Lower Troposphere ◽  
Mediterranean Area ◽  
Vertical Profiles ◽  
Tel Aviv ◽  
Mixing Ratios ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Area ◽  
Ozone Levels

Abstract. In order to evaluate the observed high rural ozone levels in the eastern Mediterranean area during summertime, vertical profiles of ozone measured in the period 1994–2008 in the framework of the MOZAIC project (Measurement of Ozone and Water Vapor by Airbus in Service Aircraft) over the eastern Mediterranean basin (Cairo, Tel Aviv, Heraklion, Rhodes, Antalya) were analyzed, focusing in the lower troposphere (1.5–5 km). At first, vertical profiles collected during extreme days with very high or very low tropospheric ozone mixing ratios have been examined together with the corresponding back-trajectories. Also, the average profiles of ozone, relative humidity, carbon monoxide, temperature gradient and wind speed corresponding to the 7% highest and the 7% lowest ozone mixing ratios for the 1500–5000 m height layer for Cairo and Tel Aviv have been examined and the corresponding composite maps of geopotential heights at 850 hPa have been plotted. Based on the above analysis, it turns out that the lower-tropospheric ozone variability over the eastern Mediterranean area is controlled mainly by the synoptic meteorological conditions, combined with local topographical and meteorological features. In particular, the highest ozone concentrations in the lower troposphere and subsequently in the boundary layer are associated with large-scale subsidence of ozone-rich air masses from the upper troposphere under anticyclonic conditions while the lowest ozone concentrations are associated with low pressure conditions inducing uplifting of boundary-layer air, poor in ozone and rich in relative humidity, to the lower troposphere.

scholarly journals Examination of the atmospheric conditions associated with high and low summer ozone levels in the lower troposphere over the Eastern Mediterranean

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 2457-2491 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. D. Kalabokas ◽  
J.-P. Cammas ◽  
V. Thouret ◽  
A. Volz-Thomas ◽  
D. Boulanger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Tropospheric Ozone ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Lower Troposphere ◽  
Mediterranean Area ◽  
Vertical Profiles ◽  
Tel Aviv ◽  
Mixing Ratios ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Area ◽  
Ozone Levels

Abstract. In order to evaluate the observed high rural ozone levels in the Eastern Mediterranean area during summertime, vertical profiles of ozone measured in the period 1994–2008 in the framework of the MOZAIC project (Measurement of Ozone and Water Vapor by Airbus in Service Aircraft) over the Eastern Mediterranean basin (Cairo, Tel-Aviv, Heraklion, Rhodes, Antalya) were analysed, focusing in the lower troposphere (1.5–5 km). At first, vertical profiles collected during extreme days with very high or very low tropospheric ozone mixing ratios have been examined together with the corresponding back-trajectories. Also, the average profiles of ozone, relative humidity, carbon monoxide, temperature gradient and wind speed corresponding to the 7% highest and the 7% lowest ozone mixing ratios for the 1500–5000 m height layer for Cairo and Tel-Aviv have been examined and the corresponding composite maps of geopotential heights at 850 hPa have been plotted. Based on the above analysis, it turns out that the lower-tropospheric ozone variability over the Eastern Mediterranean area is controlled mainly by the synoptic meteorological conditions, combined with local topographical and meteorological features. In particular, the highest ozone concentrations in the lower troposphere and subsequently in the boundary layer are associated with large scale subsidence of ozone rich air masses from the upper troposphere under anticyclonic conditions while the lowest ozone concentrations are associated with low pressure conditions inducing uplifting of boundary layer air, poor in ozone and rich in relative humidity, to the lower troposphere.

scholarly journals Characterization of Transport Regimes and the Polar Dome during Arctic Spring and Summer using in-situ Aircraft Measurements

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heiko Bozem ◽  
Peter Hoor ◽  
Daniel Kunkel ◽  
Franziska Köllner ◽  
Johannes Schneider ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lower Troposphere ◽  
High Arctic ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Trace Gas ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Aerosol Formation ◽  
Transport Barrier ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Air Masses ◽  
Mixing Ratios

Abstract. The springtime composition of the Arctic lower troposphere is to a large extent controlled by transport of mid-latitude air masses into the Arctic, whereas during the summer precipitation and natural sources play the most important role. Within the Arctic region, there exists a transport barrier, known as the polar dome, which results from sloping isentropes. The polar dome, which varies in space and time, exhibits a strong influence on the transport of air masses from mid-latitudes, enhancing it during winter and inhibiting it during summer. Furthermore, a definition for the location of the polar dome boundary itself is quite sparse in the literature. We analyzed aircraft based trace gas measurements in the Arctic during two NETCARE airborne field camapigns (July 2014 and April 2015) with the Polar 6 aircraft of Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Center for Polar and Marine Research (AWI), Bremerhaven, Germany, covering an area from Spitsbergen to Alaska (134° W to 17° W and 68° N to 83° N). For the spring (April 2015) and summer (July 2014) season we analyzed transport regimes of mid-latitude air masses travelling to the high Arctic based on CO and CO2 measurements as well as kinematic 10-day back trajectories. The dynamical isolation of the high Arctic lower troposphere caused by the transport barrier leads to gradients of chemical tracers reflecting different local chemical life times and sources and sinks. Particularly gradients of CO and CO2 allowed for a trace gas based definition of the polar dome boundary for the two measurement periods with pronounced seasonal differences. For both campaigns a transition zone rather than a sharp boundary was derived. For July 2014 the polar dome boundary was determined to be 73.5° N latitude and 299–303.5 K potential temperature, respectively. During April 2015 the polar dome boundary was on average located at 66–68.5° N and 283.5–287.5 K. Tracer-tracer scatter plots and probability density functions confirm different air mass properties inside and outside of the polar dome for the July 2014 and April 2015 data set. Using the tracer derived polar dome boundaries the analysis of aerosol data indicates secondary aerosol formation events in the clean summertime polar dome. Synoptic-scale weather systems frequently disturb this transport barrier and foster exchange between air masses from midlatitudes and polar regions. During the second phase of the NETCARE 2014 measurements a pronounced low pressure system south of Resolute Bay brought inflow from southern latitudes that pushed the polar dome northward and significantly affected trace gas mixing ratios in the measurement region. Mean CO mixing ratios increased from 77.9 ± 2.5 ppbv to 84.9 ± 4.7 ppbv from the first period to the second period. At the same time CO2 mixing ratios significantly dropped from 398.16 ± 1.01 ppmv to 393.81 ± 2.25 ppmv. We further analysed processes controlling the recent transport history of air masses within and outside the polar dome. Air masses within the spring time polar dome mainly experienced diabatic cooling while travelling over cold surfaces. In contrast air masses in the summertime polar dome were diabatically heated due to insolation. During both seasons air masses outside the polar dome slowly descended into the Arctic lower troposphere from above caused by radiative cooling. The ascent to the middle and upper troposphere mainly took place outside the Arctic, followed by a northward motion. Our results demonstrate the successful application of a tracer based diagnostic to determine the location of the polar dome boundary.

scholarly journals Exploring the atmospheric chemistry of nitrous acid (HONO) at a rural site in Southern China

2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 1497-1513 ◽  
Author(s):  
X. Li ◽  
T. Brauers ◽  
R. Häseler ◽  
B. Bohn ◽  
H. Fuchs ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atmospheric Chemistry ◽  
Nitrous Acid ◽  
Southern China ◽  
Rural Site ◽  
Pearl River Delta Region ◽  
Additional Source ◽  
Mixing Ratios ◽  
Photolysis Frequency ◽  
The Pearl River

Abstract. We performed measurements of nitrous acid (HONO) during the PRIDE-PRD2006 campaign in the Pearl River Delta region 60 km north of Guangzhou, China, for 4 weeks in June 2006. HONO was measured by a LOPAP in-situ instrument which was setup in one of the campaign supersites along with a variety of instruments measuring hydroxyl radicals, trace gases, aerosols, and meteorological parameters. Maximum diurnal HONO mixing ratios of 1–5 ppb were observed during the nights. We found that the nighttime build-up of HONO can be attributed to the heterogeneous NO2 to HONO conversion on ground surfaces and the OH + NO reaction. In addition to elevated nighttime mixing ratios, measured noontime values of ≈200 ppt indicate the existence of a daytime source higher than the OH + NO→HONO reaction. Using the simultaneously recorded OH, NO, and HONO photolysis frequency, a daytime additional source strength of HONO (PM) was calculated to be 0.77 ppb h−1 on average. This value compares well to previous measurements in other environments. Our analysis of PM provides evidence that the photolysis of HNO3 adsorbed on ground surfaces contributes to the HONO formation.

scholarly journals Ice nucleating particles over the Eastern Mediterranean measured by unmanned aircraft systems

2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (7) ◽  
pp. 4817-4835 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jann Schrod ◽  
Daniel Weber ◽  
Jaqueline Drücke ◽  
Christos Keleshis ◽  
Michael Pikridas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transport Model ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Lower Troposphere ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Ice Nucleation ◽  
Unmanned Aircraft ◽  
Unmanned Aircraft Systems ◽  
Saharan Dust ◽  
Cloud Formation ◽  
Aircraft Systems

Abstract. During an intensive field campaign on aerosol, clouds, and ice nucleation in the Eastern Mediterranean in April 2016, we measured the abundance of ice nucleating particles (INPs) in the lower troposphere from unmanned aircraft systems (UASs). Aerosol samples were collected by miniaturized electrostatic precipitators onboard the UASs at altitudes up to 2.5 km. The number of INPs in these samples, which are active in the deposition and condensation modes at temperatures from −20 to −30 °C, were analyzed immediately after collection on site using the ice nucleus counter FRIDGE (FRankfurt Ice nucleation Deposition freezinG Experiment). During the 1-month campaign, we encountered a series of Saharan dust plumes that traveled at several kilometers' altitude. Here we present INP data from 42 individual flights, together with aerosol number concentrations, observations of lidar backscattering, dust concentrations derived by the dust transport model DREAM (Dust Regional Atmospheric Model), and results from scanning electron microscopy. The effect of the dust plumes is reflected by the coincidence of INPs with the particulate matter (PM), the lidar signal, and the predicted dust mass of the model. This suggests that mineral dust or a constituent related to dust was a major contributor to the ice nucleating properties of the aerosol. Peak concentrations of above 100 INPs std L−1 were measured at −30 °C. The INP concentration in elevated plumes was on average a factor of 10 higher than at ground level. Since desert dust is transported for long distances over wide areas of the globe predominantly at several kilometers' altitude, we conclude that INP measurements at ground level may be of limited significance for the situation at the level of cloud formation.

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