scholarly journals Dependence of the vertical distribution of bromine monoxide in the lower troposphere on meteorological factors such as wind speed and stability

2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 2119-2137 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. K. Peterson ◽  
W. R. Simpson ◽  
K. A. Pratt ◽  
P. B. Shepson ◽  
U. Frieß ◽  
...  

Abstract. Multiple axis differential absorption spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS) measurements of bromine monoxide (BrO) probed the vertical structure of halogen activation events during March–May 2012 at Barrow, Alaska. An analysis of the BrO averaging kernels and degrees of freedom obtained by optimal-estimation-based inversions from raw MAX-DOAS measurements reveals the information is best represented by reducing the retrieved BrO profile to two quantities: the integrated column from the surface through 200 m (VCD200 m), and the lower tropospheric vertical column density (LT-VCD), which represents the integrated column of BrO from the surface through 2 km. The percentage of lower tropospheric BrO in the lowest 200 m was found to be highly variable ranging from shallow layer events, where BrO is present primarily in the lowest 200 m, to distributed column events where BrO is observed at higher altitudes. The highest observed LT-VCD events occurred when BrO was distributed throughout the lower troposphere, rather than concentrated near the surface. Atmospheric stability in the lowest 200 m influenced the percentage of LT-VCD that is in the lowest 200 m, with inverted temperature structures having a first-to-third quartile range (Q1–Q3) of VCD200 m/LT-VCD from 15–39%, while near-neutral-temperature structures had a Q1–Q3 range of 7–13%. Data from this campaign show no clear influence of wind speed on either lower tropospheric bromine activation (LT-VCD) or the vertical distribution of BrO, while examination of seasonal trends and the temperature dependence of the vertical distribution supported the conclusion that the atmospheric stability affects the vertical distribution of BrO.

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (17) ◽  
pp. 23949-23994
Author(s):  
P. K. Peterson ◽  
W. R. Simpson ◽  
K. A. Pratt ◽  
P. B. Shepson ◽  
U. Frieß ◽  
...  

Abstract. Multiple axis differential absorption spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS) measurements of bromine monoxide (BrO) probed the vertical structure of halogen activation events during March–May 2012 at Barrow, Alaska. An analysis of the BrO averaging kernels and degrees of freedom obtained by optimal-estimation-based inversions from raw MAX-DOAS measurements reveals the information is best represented by reducing the retrieved BrO profile to two quantities, the integrated column from the surface through 200 m (VCD200 m), and the lower tropospheric vertical column density (LT-VCD) which represents the integrated column of BrO from the surface through 2 km. The percentage of lower-tropospheric BrO in the lowest 200 m was found to be highly variable ranging from shallow layer events, where BrO is present primarily in the lowest 200 m to distributed column events where BrO is observed at higher altitudes. The highest observed LT-VCD events occurred when BrO was distributed throughout the lower troposphere, rather than concentrated near the surface. Atmospheric stability in the lowest 200 m influenced the percentage of LT-VCD that is in the lowest 200 m, with inverted temperature structures having a first-to-third quartile range (Q1–Q3) of VCD200 m/LT-VCD from 15–39% while near neutral temperature structures had a Q1–Q3 range of 7–13%. Data from this campaign show no clear influence of wind speed on either lower-tropospheric bromine activation (LT-VCD) or the vertical distribution of BrO, while examination of seasonal trends and the temperature dependence of the vertical distribution supported the conclusion that the atmospheric stability affects the vertical distribution of BrO.


2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johannes Bieser ◽  
Franz Slemr ◽  
Jesse Ambrose ◽  
Carl Brenninkmeijer ◽  
Steve Brooks ◽  
...  

Abstract. Atmospheric chemistry and transport of mercury play a key role in the global mercury cycle. However, there are still considerable knowledge gaps concerning the fate of mercury in the atmosphere. This is the second part of a model inter-comparison study investigating the impact of atmospheric chemistry and emissions on mercury in the atmosphere. While the first study focused on ground based observations of mercury concentration and deposition, here we investigate the vertical distribution and speciation of mercury from the planetary boundary layer to the lower stratosphere. So far, there have been few model studies investigating the vertical distribution of mercury, mostly focusing on single aircraft campaigns. Here, we present a first comprehensive analysis based on various aircraft observations in Europe, North America, and on inter-continental flights. The investigated models proved to be able to reproduce the distribution of total and elemental mercury concentrations in the troposphere including inter-hemispheric trends. One key aspect of the study is the investigation of mercury oxidation in the troposphere. We found that different chemistry schemes were better at reproducing observed oxidized mercury (RM) patterns depending on altitude. High RM concentrations in the upper troposphere could be reproduced with oxidation by bromine while elevated concentrations in the lower troposphere were better reproduced by OH and ozone chemistry. However, the results were not always conclusive as the physical and chemical parametrizations in the chemistry transport models also proved to have a substantial impact on model results.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 1685-1702 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Gonzalez-Alonso ◽  
Maria Val Martin ◽  
Ralph A. Kahn

Abstract. We characterise the vertical distribution of biomass-burning emissions across the Amazon during the biomass-burning season (July–November) with an extensive climatology of smoke plumes derived from MISR and MODIS (2005–2012) and CALIOP (2006–2012) observations. Smoke plume heights exhibit substantial variability, spanning a few hundred metres up to 6 km above the terrain. However, the majority of the smoke is located at altitudes below 2.5 km. About 60 % of smoke plumes are observed in drought years, 40 %–50 % at the peak month of the burning season (September) and 94 % over tropical forest and savanna regions, with respect to the total number of smoke plume observations. At the time of the MISR observations (10:00–11:00 LT), the highest plumes are detected over grassland fires (with an averaged maximum plume height of ∼1100 m) and the lowest plumes occur over tropical forest fires (∼800 m). A similar pattern is found later in the day (14:00–15:00 LT) with CALIOP, although at higher altitudes (2300 m grassland vs. 2000 m tropical forest), as CALIOP typically detects smoke at higher altitudes due to its later overpass time, associated with a deeper planetary boundary layer, possibly more energetic fires, and greater sensitivity to thin aerosol layers. On average, 3 %–20 % of the fires inject smoke into the free troposphere; this percentage tends to increase toward the end of the burning season (November: 15 %–40 %). We find a well-defined seasonal cycle between MISR plume heights, MODIS fire radiative power and atmospheric stability across the main biomes of the Amazon, with higher smoke plumes, more intense fires and reduced atmospheric stability conditions toward the end of the burning season. Lower smoke plume heights are detected during drought (800 m) compared to non-drought (1100 m) conditions, in particular over tropical forest and savanna fires. Drought conditions favour understory fires over tropical forest, which tend to produce smouldering combustion and low smoke injection heights. Droughts also seem to favour deeper boundary layers and the percentage of smoke plumes that reach the free troposphere is lower during these dry conditions. Consistent with previous studies, the MISR mid-visible aerosol optical depth demonstrates that smoke makes a significant contribution to the total aerosol loading over the Amazon, which in combination with lower injection heights in drought periods has important implications for air quality. This work highlights the importance of biome type, fire properties and atmospheric and drought conditions for plume dynamics and smoke loading. In addition, our study demonstrates the value of combining observations of MISR and CALIOP constraints on the vertical distribution of smoke from biomass burning over the Amazon.


2006 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Pepin ◽  
K. A. Curtis ◽  
P. V. R. Snelgrove ◽  
B. de Young ◽  
J. A. Helbig

Abstract Pepin, P., Curtis, K.A., Snelgrove, P.V.R., de Young, B., and Helbig, J.A. 2007. Optimal estimation of catch by the continous underway fish egg sampler based on a model of the vertical distribution of American plaice (Hippoglossoides platessoides) eggs – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 64, 18–30. We investigate how the vertical stratification of the water column (specifically density) affects predictions of the catch of American plaice eggs (Hipploglossoides platessoides) from a fixed-depth sampler [the continuous underway fish egg sampler (CUFES)] relative to the integrated abundance in the water column measured in bongo tows. A steady-state model of the vertical distribution of fish eggs coupled with a simple model of the vertical profile of eddy diffusivity (i.e. mixing) is applied. Key model parameters are estimated through optimization of a one-to-one relationship between predicted and observed catches fit, using a generalized linear model with a Poisson, negative binomial, or gamma error structure. The incorporation of data on the vertical structure of the water column significantly improved the ability to forecast CUFES catches when using Poisson or negative binomial error structure, but not using a gamma distribution. Optimal maximum likelihood parameter estimates for eddy diffusivity and egg buoyancy fell within the range of expected values. The degree of uncertainty in the parameterization of eddy diffusivity suggests, however, that greater understanding of the forces that determine the vertical profile of mixing is critical to achieving strong predictive capabilities. The inverse problem of predicting integrated abundance from CUFES catches did not benefit from the environmental-driven model because of the high uncertainty in the catches from the CUFES.


2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolin Walter ◽  
Saulo R. Freitas ◽  
Christoph Kottmeier ◽  
Isabel Kraut ◽  
Daniel Rieger ◽  
...  

Abstract. We quantified the effects of the plume rise of biomass burning aerosol and gases for the forest fires that occurred in Saskatchewan, Canada, in July 2010. For this purpose, simulations with different assumptions regarding the plume rise and the vertical distribution of the emissions were conducted. Based on comparisons with observations, applying a one-dimensional plume rise model to predict the injection layer in combination with a parametrisation of the vertical distribution of the emissions outperforms approaches in which the plume heights are initially predefined. Approximately 30 % of the fires exceed the height of 2 km and the maximum height is 8.6 km. Using this plume rise model, comparisons with satellite images in the visible spectral range show a very good agreement between the simulated and observed spatial distributions of the biomass burning plume. The simulated AOD with data of an AERONET station is in good agreement with respect to the absolute values and the timing of the maximum. Comparison of the vertical distribution of the biomass burning aerosol with CALIPSO retrievals also showed the best agreement when the plume rise model was applied. We found that down-welling surface short-wave radiation below the forest fire plume is reduced by up to 50 % and that the 2 m temperature is decreased by up to 6 K. In addition, we simulated a strong change in atmospheric stability within the biomass burning plume.


2005 ◽  
Vol 5 (11) ◽  
pp. 2901-2914 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Barret ◽  
S. Turquety ◽  
D. Hurtmans ◽  
C. Clerbaux ◽  
J. Hadji-Lazaro ◽  
...  

Abstract. This paper presents the first global distributions of CO vertical profiles retrieved from a thermal infrared FTS working in the nadir geometry. It is based on the exploitation of the high resolution and high quality spectra measured by the Interferometric Monitor of Greenhouse gases (IMG) which flew onboard the Japanese ADEOS platform in 1996-1997. The retrievals are performed with an algorithm based on the Optimal Estimation Method (OEM) and are characterized in terms of vertical sensitivity and error budget. It is found that most of the IMG measurements contain between 1.5 and 2.2 independent pieces of information about the vertical distribution of CO from the lower troposphere to the upper troposphere-lower stratosphere (UTLS). The retrievals are validated against coincident NOAA/CMDL in situ surface measurements and NDSC/FTIR total columns measurements. The retrieved global distributions of CO are also found to be in good agreement with the distributions modeled by the GEOS-CHEM 3D CTM, highlighting the ability of IMG to capture the horizontal as well as the vertical structure of the CO distributions.


Author(s):  
J. B. Babaan ◽  
J. P. Ballori ◽  
A. M. Tamondong ◽  
R. V. Ramos ◽  
P. M. Ostrea

<p><strong>Abstract.</strong> As the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology has gained popularity over the years, it has been introduced for air quality monitoring. This study demonstrates the feasibility of customized UAV with mobile monitoring devices as an effective, flexible, and alternative means to collect three-dimensional air pollutant concentration data. This also shows the vertical distribution of PM concentration and the relationship between the PM<sub>2.5</sub> vertical distribution and the meteorological parameters within 500<span class="thinspace"></span>m altitude on a single flight in UP Diliman, Quezon City. Measurement and mapping of the vertical distribution of particulate matter (PM)<sub>2.5</sub> concentration is demonstrated in this research using integrated air quality sensors and customized Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. The flight covers an area with a radius of 80 meters, following a cylindrical path with 40-meter interval vertically. The PM<sub>2.5</sub> concentration values are analyzed relative to the meteorological parameters including air speed, pressure, temperature, and relative humidity up to a 500<span class="thinspace"></span>meter-flying height in a single flight in Barangay UP Campus, UP Diliman, Quezon City. The study shows that generally, the PM<sub>2.5</sub> concentration decreases as the height increases with an exception in the 200&amp;ndash;280<span class="thinspace"></span>m above ground height interval due to a sudden change of atmospheric conditions at the time of the flight. Using correlation and regression analysis, the statistics shows that PM<sub>2.5</sub> concentration has a positive relationship with temperature and a negative relationship with relative humidity and wind speed. As relative humidity and wind speed increases, PM<sub>2.5</sub> decreases, while as temperature increases, PM<sub>2.5</sub> also increases.</p>


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