scholarly journals Bromocarbons in the tropical marine boundary layer at the Cape Verde Observatory – measurements and modelling

2009 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 4335-4379 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. M. O'Brien ◽  
N. R. P. Harris ◽  
A. D. Robinson ◽  
B. Gostlow ◽  
N. Warwick ◽  
...  

Abstract. A new gas chromatograph was used to make measurements of halocarbons at the Cape Verde observatory during late May and early June 2007. The instrument demonstrated its potential for long-term autonomous measurements. Bromoform (CHBr3) exhibits the most variability of all the halocarbons observed, ranging from a background concentration of about 4 ppt to a maximum of >40 ppt during the course of the measurement period. Dibromomethane (CH2Br2) correlates well with CHBr3, suggesting a common regional source. Methyl iodide (CH3I) does not correlate with these bromocarbons, with base levels of around 1–2 ppt and some periods of much higher mixing ratios. Model studies with published bromocarbon emission rates do not reproduce the observations. Local emission magnitudes and CHBr3:CH2Br2 ratios must be increased more in line with the recent observations of Yokouchi et al. (2005) to improve the model to measurement comparison. Even when the model reproduces the observed bromocarbons, modelled BrO is much less than recent tropical observations (Read et al., 2008). A sea salt source seems the likely explanation. When high BrO is reproduced, the model agrees much better with the observed ozone changes, including diurnal variation, during the measurement period but it is suggested that a representation of iodine chemistry in the model is also required.

2009 ◽  
Vol 9 (22) ◽  
pp. 9083-9099 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. M. O'Brien ◽  
N. R. P. Harris ◽  
A. D. Robinson ◽  
B. Gostlow ◽  
N. Warwick ◽  
...  

Abstract. A new gas chromatograph was used to make measurements of halocarbons at the Cape Verde observatory during late May and early June 2007. The instrument demonstrated its potential for long-term autonomous measurements. Bromoform (CHBr3) exhibits the most variability of all the halocarbons observed, ranging from a background concentration of about 4 ppt to a maximum of >40 ppt during the course of the measurement period. CH2Br2 correlates well with bromoform, suggesting a common regional source. Methyl iodide does not correlate with these bromocarbons, with base levels of around 1–2 ppt and some periods of much higher mixing ratios. Using published bromocarbon emission rates, our chemical transport model studies, presented here, do not reproduce the observations. Local emission magnitudes and CHBr3:CH2Br2 ratios must be increased more in line with the recent observations of Yokouchi et al. (2005) to improve the model to measurement comparison. Even when the model reproduces the observed bromocarbons, modelled BrO is much less than recent tropical observations (Read et al., 2008). A sea salt source seems the likely explanation. When high BrO is reproduced, the model agrees much better with the observed ozone changes, including diurnal variation, during the measurement period but it is suggested that a representation of iodine chemistry in the model is also required.


2010 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 1031-1055 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. D. Lee ◽  
G. McFiggans ◽  
J. D. Allan ◽  
A. R. Baker ◽  
S. M. Ball ◽  
...  

Abstract. The NERC UK SOLAS-funded Reactive Halogens in the Marine Boundary Layer (RHaMBLe) programme comprised three field experiments. This manuscript presents an overview of the measurements made within the two simultaneous remote experiments conducted in the tropical North Atlantic in May and June 2007. Measurements were made from two mobile and one ground-based platforms. The heavily instrumented cruise D319 on the RRS Discovery from Lisbon, Portugal to São Vicente, Cape Verde and back to Falmouth, UK was used to characterise the spatial distribution of boundary layer components likely to play a role in reactive halogen chemistry. Measurements onboard the ARSF Dornier aircraft were used to allow the observations to be interpreted in the context of their vertical distribution and to confirm the interpretation of atmospheric structure in the vicinity of the Cape Verde islands. Long-term ground-based measurements at the Cape Verde Atmospheric Observatory (CVAO) on São Vicente were supplemented by long-term measurements of reactive halogen species and characterisation of additional trace gas and aerosol species during the intensive experimental period. This paper presents a summary of the measurements made within the RHaMBLe remote experiments and discusses them in their meteorological and chemical context as determined from these three platforms and from additional meteorological analyses. Air always arrived at the CVAO from the North East with a range of air mass origins (European, Atlantic and North American continental). Trace gases were present at stable and fairly low concentrations with the exception of a slight increase in some anthropogenic components in air of North American origin, though NOx mixing ratios during this period remained below 20 pptv (note the non-IUPAC adoption in this manuscript of pptv and ppbv, equivalent to pmol mol−1 and nmol mol−1 to reflect common practice). Consistency with these air mass classifications is observed in the time series of soluble gas and aerosol composition measurements, with additional identification of periods of slightly elevated dust concentrations consistent with the trajectories passing over the African continent. The CVAO is shown to be broadly representative of the wider North Atlantic marine boundary layer; measurements of NO, O3 and black carbon from the ship are consistent with a clean Northern Hemisphere marine background. Aerosol composition measurements do not indicate elevated organic material associated with clean marine air. Closer to the African coast, black carbon and NO levels start to increase, indicating greater anthropogenic influence. Lower ozone in this region is possibly associated with the increased levels of measured halocarbons, associated with the nutrient rich waters of the Mauritanian upwelling. Bromide and chloride deficits in coarse mode aerosol at both the CVAO and on D319 and the continuous abundance of inorganic gaseous halogen species at CVAO indicate significant reactive cycling of halogens. Aircraft measurements of O3 and CO show that surface measurements are representative of the entire boundary layer in the vicinity both in diurnal variability and absolute levels. Above the inversion layer similar diurnal behaviour in O3 and CO is observed at lower mixing ratios in the air that had originated from south of Cape Verde, possibly from within the ITCZ. ECMWF calculations on two days indicate very different boundary layer depths and aircraft flights over the ship replicate this, giving confidence in the calculated boundary layer depth.


2009 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 21717-21783 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. D. Lee ◽  
G. McFiggans ◽  
J. D. Allan ◽  
A. R. Baker ◽  
S. M. Ball ◽  
...  

Abstract. The NERC UK SOLAS-funded Reactive Halogens in the Marine Boundary Layer (RHaMBLe) programme comprised three field experiments. This manuscript presents an overview of the measurements made within the two simultaneous remote experiments conducted in the tropical North Atlantic in May and June 2007. Measurements were made from two mobile and one ground-based platforms. The heavily instrumented cruise D319 on the RRS Discovery from Lisbon, Portugal to São Vicente, Cape Verde and back to Falmouth, UK was used to characterise the spatial distribution of boundary layer components likely to play a role in reactive halogen chemistry. Measurements onboard the ARSF Dornier aircraft were used to allow the observations to be interpreted in the context of their vertical distribution and to confirm the interpretation of atmospheric structure in the vicinity of the Cape Verde islands. Long-term ground-based measurements at the Cape Verde Atmospheric Observatory (CVAO) on São Vicente were supplemented by long-term measurements of reactive halogen species and characterisation of additional trace gas and aerosol species during the intensive experimental period. This paper presents a summary of the measurements made within the RHaMBLe remote experiments and discusses them in their meteorological and chemical context as determined from these three platforms and from additional meteorological analyses. Air always arrived at the CVAO from the North East with a range of air mass origins (European, Atlantic and North American continental). Trace gases were present at stable and fairly low concentrations with the exception of a slight increase in some anthropogenic components in air of North American origin, though NOx mixing ratios during this period remained below 20 pptv. Consistency with these air mass classifications is observed in the time series of soluble gas and aerosol composition measurements, with additional identification of periods of slightly elevated dust concentrations consistent with the trajectories passing over the African continent. The CVAO is shown to be broadly representative of the wider North Atlantic marine boundary layer; measurements of NO, O3 and black carbon from the ship are consistent with a clean Northern Hemisphere marine background. Aerosol composition measurements do not indicate elevated organic material associated with clean marine air. Closer to the African coast, black carbon and NO levels start to increase, indicating greater anthropogenic influence. Lower ozone in this region is possibly associated with the increased levels of measured halocarbons, associated with the nutrient rich waters of the Mauritanian upwelling. Bromide and chloride deficits in coarse mode aerosol at both the CVAO and on D319 and the continuous abundance of inorganic gaseous halogen species at CVAO indicate significant reactive cycling of halogens. Aircraft measurements of O3 and CO show that surface measurements are representative of the entire boundary layer in the vicinity both in diurnal variability and absolute levels. Above the inversion layer similar diurnal behaviour in O3 and CO is observed at lower mixing ratios in the air that had originated from south of Cape Verde, possibly from within the ITCZ. ECMWF calculations on two days indicate very different boundary layer depths and aircraft flights over the ship replicate this, giving confidence in the calculated boundary layer depth.


2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (11) ◽  
pp. 8183-8202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles L. Blanchard ◽  
George M. Hidy

Abstract. Ozone (O3) formation in the southeastern US is studied in relation to nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions using long-term (1990s–2015) surface measurements of the Southeastern Aerosol Research and Characterization (SEARCH) network, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) O3 measurements, and EPA Clean Air Status and Trends Network (CASTNET) nitrate deposition data. Annual fourth-highest daily peak 8 h O3 mixing ratios at EPA monitoring sites in Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi exhibit statistically significant (p < 0.0001) linear correlations with annual NOx emissions in those states between 1996 and 2015. The annual fourth-highest daily peak 8 h O3 mixing ratios declined toward values of ∼ 45–50 ppbv and monthly O3 maxima decreased at rates averaging ∼ 1–1.5 ppbv yr−1. Mean annual total oxidized nitrogen (NOy) mixing ratios at SEARCH sites declined in proportion to NOx emission reductions. CASTNET data show declining wet and dry nitrate deposition since the late 1990s, with total (wet plus dry) nitrate deposition fluxes decreasing linearly in proportion to reductions of NOx emissions by ∼ 60 % in Alabama and Georgia. Annual nitrate deposition rates at Georgia and Alabama CASTNET sites correspond to 30 % of Georgia emission rates and 36 % of Alabama emission rates, respectively. The fraction of NOx emissions lost to deposition has not changed. SEARCH and CASTNET sites exhibit downward trends in mean annual nitric acid (HNO3) concentrations. Observed relationships of O3 to NOz (NOy–NOx) support past model predictions of increases in cycling of NO and increasing responsiveness of O3 to NOx. The study data provide a long-term record that can be used to examine the accuracy of process relationships embedded in modeling efforts. Quantifying observed O3 trends and relating them to reductions in ambient NOy species concentrations offers key insights into processes of general relevance to air quality management and provides important information supporting strategies for reducing O3 mixing ratios.


2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 4081-4092 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Reed ◽  
Mathew J. Evans ◽  
Leigh R. Crilley ◽  
William J. Bloss ◽  
Tomás Sherwen ◽  
...  

Abstract. We present 2 years of NOx observations from the Cape Verde Atmospheric Observatory located in the tropical Atlantic boundary layer. We find that NOx mixing ratios peak around solar noon (at 20–30 pptV depending on season), which is counter to box model simulations that show a midday minimum due to OH conversion of NO2 to HNO3. Production of NOx via decomposition of organic nitrogen species and the photolysis of HNO3 appear insufficient to provide the observed noontime maximum. A rapid photolysis of nitrate aerosol to produce HONO and NO2, however, is able to simulate the observed diurnal cycle. This would make it the dominant source of NOx at this remote marine boundary layer site, overturning the previous paradigm according to which the transport of organic nitrogen species, such as PAN, is the dominant source. We show that observed mixing ratios (November–December 2015) of HONO at Cape Verde (∼ 3.5 pptV peak at solar noon) are consistent with this route for NOx production. Reactions between the nitrate radical and halogen hydroxides which have been postulated in the literature appear to improve the box model simulation of NOx. This rapid conversion of aerosol phase nitrate to NOx changes our perspective of the NOx cycling chemistry in the tropical marine boundary layer, suggesting a more chemically complex environment than previously thought.


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles L. Blanchard ◽  
George M. Hidy

Abstract. Ozone (O3) formation in the southeastern U.S. is studied in relation to nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions using long-term (1990s–2015) surface measurements of the Southeastern Aerosol Research and Characterization (SEARCH) network, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) O3 measurements, and EPA Clean Air Status and Trends Network (CASTNet) nitrate deposition data. CASTNet data show declining wet and dry nitrate deposition since the late 1990s, with total (wet plus dry) nitrate deposition fluxes decreasing linearly in proportion to reductions of NOx emissions in in Alabama and Georgia. Annual nitrate deposition rates at Georgia and Alabama CastNet sites correspond to 30 % of Georgia emission rates and 36 % of Alabama emission rates, respectively. The fraction of NOx emissions lost to deposition has not changed over time. SEARCH and EPA CASTNet sites exhibit comparable downward trends in mean annual nitric acid (HNO3) concentrations. Mean annual total oxidized nitrogen (NOy) mixing ratios at SEARCH sites declined in proportion to NOx emission reductions. Annual 4th-highest daily peak 8-hour O3 mixing ratios at EPA monitoring sites in Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi exhibit statistically-significant (p 


2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (15) ◽  
pp. 11185-11203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prasad Kasibhatla ◽  
Tomás Sherwen ◽  
Mathew J. Evans ◽  
Lucy J. Carpenter ◽  
Chris Reed ◽  
...  

Abstract. Recent field studies have suggested that sea-salt particulate nitrate (NITs) photolysis may act as a significant local source of nitrogen oxides (NOx) over oceans. We present a study of the global impact of this process on oxidant concentrations in the marine boundary layer (MBL) using the GEOS-Chem model, after first updating the model to better simulate observed gas–particle phase partitioning of nitrate in the marine boundary layer. Model comparisons with long-term measurements of NOx from the Cape Verde Atmospheric Observatory (CVAO) in the eastern tropical North Atlantic provide support for an in situ source of NOx from NITs photolysis, with NITs photolysis coefficients about 25–50 times larger than corresponding HNO3 photolysis coefficients. Short-term measurements of nitrous acid (HONO) at this location show a clear daytime peak, with average peak mixing ratios ranging from 3 to 6 pptv. The model reproduces the general shape of the diurnal HONO profile only when NITs photolysis is included, but the magnitude of the daytime peak mixing ratio is under-predicted. This under-prediction is somewhat reduced if HONO yields from NITs photolysis are assumed to be close to unity. The combined NOx and HONO analysis suggests that the upper limit of the ratio of NITs : HNO3 photolysis coefficients is about 100. The largest simulated relative impact of NITs photolysis is in the tropical and subtropical marine boundary layer, with peak local enhancements ranging from factors of 5 to 20 for NOx, 1.2 to 1.6 for OH, and 1.1 to 1.3 for ozone. Since the spatial extent of the sea-salt aerosol (SSA) impact is limited, global impacts on NOx, ozone, and OH mass burdens are small ( ∼ 1–3 %). We also present preliminary analysis showing that particulate nitrate photolysis in accumulation-mode aerosols (predominantly over continental regions) could lead to ppbv-level increases in ozone in the continental boundary layer. Our results highlight the need for more comprehensive long-term measurements of NOx, and related species like HONO and sea-salt particulate nitrate, to better constrain the impact of particulate nitrate photolysis on marine boundary layer oxidant chemistry. Further field and laboratory studies on particulate nitrate photolysis in other aerosol types are also needed to better understand the impact of this process on continental boundary layer oxidant chemistry.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cyril Caram ◽  
Sophie Szopa ◽  
Anne Cozic ◽  
Slimane Bekki ◽  
Carlos Cuevas ◽  
...  

Abstract. The atmospheric chemistry of halogenated species (Cl, Br, I) participates in the global chemical sink of tropospheric ozone and perturbs the oxidizing capacity of the troposphere, notably influencing the atmospheric lifetime of methane. Global chemistry-climate models are commonly used to assess the global budget of ozone, its sensitivity to emissions of its precursors, and to project its long-term evolution. Here, we report on the implementation of tropospheric halogens chemistry in the chemistry-climate model LMDZ-INCA and its effects on the tropospheric ozone budget. Overall, the results show that the model simulates satisfactorily the impact of halogens on the photooxidizing system in the troposphere, in particular in the marine boundary layer. To elucidate the mechanisms and quantify the effects, standard metrics representative of the behavior of the tropospheric chemical system (Ox, HOx, NOx, CH4, and NMVOCs) are computed with and without halogen chemistry. Tropospheric halogens in the LMDZ-INCA model lead to a decrease of 22 % in the ozone burden, 8 % in OH, and 33 % in NOx. Additional sensitivity simulations show that the inclusion of halogens chemistry makes ozone more sensitive to perturbations in CH4, NOx, and NMVOCs. Consistent with other global model studies, the sensitivity of the tropospheric ozone burden to changes from pre-industrial to present-day emissions is found to be ~20 % lower when tropospheric halogens are taken into account.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Prasad Kasibhatla ◽  
Tomás Sherwen ◽  
Mathew J. Evans ◽  
Lucy J. Carpenter ◽  
Chris Reed ◽  
...  

Abstract. Recent field studies have suggested that sea-salt particulate nitrate (NITs) photolysis may act as a significant local source of nitrogen oxides (NOx) over oceans. We present a study of the global impact of this process on oxidant concentrations in the marine boundary layer using the GEOS-Chem model, after first updating the model to better simulate observed gas/particle phase partitioning of nitrate in the marine boundary layer. Model comparisons with long-term measurements of NOx from the Cape Verde Atmospheric Observatory (CVAO) in the eastern tropical North Atlantic provide support for an in situ source of NOx from NITs photolysis, with NITs photolysis coefficients about 25–50 times larger than corresponding HNO3 photolysis coefficients. Short-term measurement of nitrous acid (HONO) at this location show a clear daytime peak, with average peak mixing ratios ranging from 3 to 6 pptv. The model reproduces the general shape of the diurnal HONO profile only when NITs photolysis is included, but the magnitude of the daytime peak mixing ratio is under-predicted. This under-prediction is somewhat reduced if HONO yields from NITs photolysis are assumed to be close to unity. The combined NOx and HONO analysis suggests that the upper limit of the ratio of NITs : HNO3 photolysis coefficients is about 100. The largest simulated relative impact of NITs photolysis is in the tropical and subtropical marine boundary layer, with peak local enhancements ranging from factors of 5–20 for NOx, 1.2–1.6 for OH, and 1.1–1.3 for ozone. Since the spatial extent of the sea-salt aerosol impact is limited, global impacts on NOx, ozone and OH mass burdens are small (~ 1–3 %). We also present preliminary analysis showing that particulate nitrate photolysis in accumulation-mode aerosols (predominantly over continental regions) could lead to ppbv-level increases in ozone in the continental boundary layer. Our results highlight the need for more comprehensive long-term measurements of NOx, and related species like HONO and sea-salt particulate nitrate, to better constrain the impact of particulate nitrate photolysis on marine boundary layer oxidant chemistry. Further field and laboratory studies on particulate nitrate photolysis in other aerosol types are also needed to better understand the impact of this process on continental boundary layer oxidant chemistry.


2013 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 367-388
Author(s):  
R. Sander ◽  
A. A. P. Pszenny ◽  
W. C. Keene ◽  
E. Crete ◽  
B. Deegan ◽  
...  

Abstract. We report mixing ratios of soluble reactive trace gases sampled with mist chambers and the chemical composition of bulk aerosol and volatile inorganic bromine (Brg) sampled with filter packs during the Reactive Halogens in the Marine Boundary Layer (RHaMBLe) field campaign at the Cape Verde Atmospheric Observatory (CVAO) on São Vicente island in the tropical North Atlantic in May and June 2007. The gas-phase data include HCl, HNO3, HONO, HCOOH, CH3COOH, NH3, and volatile reactive chlorine other than HCl (Cl*). Aerosol samples were analyzed by neutron activation (Na, Al, Cl, V, Mn, and Br) and ion chromatography (SO42−, Cl−, Br−, NH4+, Na+, K+, Mg2+, and Ca2+). Content and quality of the data, which are available under doi:10.5281/zenodo.6956, are presented and discussed.


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