First tropospheric measurements of the vertical profle of nitrogen dioxide concentration in Minsk

The first measurement results of the vertical profiles of nitrogen dioxide over Minsk employing the Multi-axis recorder of spectra MARS-B and analysis of the obtained spatio-temporal series for 2017 is presented. The vertical profiles of nitrogen dioxide have been retrieved in spectral region 338–370 nm by combining the Multi-axis Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy method and PriAM algorithm for inverse problem solving during daylight. A comparative analysis of the measurement results has been carried out. The classification by dividing the obtained variety of registered nitrogen dioxide profiles into six groups has been presented. Obtained time series of surface layer nitrogen dioxide concentrations as well as nitrogen dioxide total columns have been presented, their statistics have been analyzed, and comparisons with the level of the maximum permissible concentration of nitrogen dioxide for a human have been performed. The values of near-surface concentrations have been compared with the impact gas analyzer data by monitoring network of the Belhydrometcentre (post No. 11), the analysis of the obtained data rejects the hypothesis of their statistical relationship on the scale of a 1-month time series.

An update on the uncertainties of water vapor measurements using Cryogenic Frostpoint Hygrometers

Long time series of observations of essential climate variables in the troposphere and stratosphere are often impacted by inconsistencies in instrumentation and ambiguities in the interpretation of the data. To reduce these problems of long term data series all measurements should include an estimate of their uncertainty and a description of their sources. Here we present an update of the uncertainties for tropospheric and stratospheric water vapor observations using the Cryogenic Frostpoint Hygrometer (CFH). The largest source of measurement uncertainty is the controller stability, which is discussed here in detail. We describe a method to quantify this uncertainty for each profile based on the measurements. We also show the importance of a manufacturer independent ground check, which is an essential tool to continuously monitor the uncertainty introduced by instrument variability. A small bias, which has previously been indicated in lower tropospheric measurements, is described here in detail and has been rectified. Under good conditions the total from all sources of uncertainty of frostpoint or dewpoint measurements using the CFH can be better than 0.2 K. Systematic errors, which are most likely to impact long term climate series are verified to be less than 0.1 K.

Chlorine isotope composition in chlorofluorocarbons CFC-11, CFC-12 and CFC-113 in firn, stratospheric and tropospheric air

The stratospheric degradation of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) releases chlorine, which is a major contributor to the destruction of stratospheric ozone (O3). A recent study reported strong chlorine isotope fractionation during the breakdown of the most abundant CFC (CFC-12, CCl2F2, Laube et al., 2010a), similar to effects seen in nitrous oxide (N2O). Using air archives to obtain a long-term record of chlorine isotope ratios in CFCs could help to identify and quantify their sources and sinks. We analyse the three most abundant CFCs and show that CFC-11 (CCl3F) and CFC-113 (CClF2CCl2F) exhibit significant stratospheric chlorine isotope fractionation, in common with CFC-12. The apparent isotope fractionation (ϵapp) for mid- and high-latitude stratospheric samples are respectively −2.4 (0.5) and −2.3 (0.4) ‰ for CFC-11, −12.2 (1.6) and −6.8 (0.8) ‰ for CFC-12 and −3.5 (1.5) and −3.3 (1.2) ‰ for CFC-113, where the number in parentheses is the numerical value of the standard uncertainty expressed in per mil. Assuming a constant isotope composition of emissions, we calculate the expected trends in the tropospheric isotope signature of these gases based on their stratospheric 37Cl enrichment and stratosphere–troposphere exchange. We compare these projections to the long-term δ (37Cl) trends of all three CFCs, measured on background tropospheric samples from the Cape Grim air archive (Tasmania, 1978–2010) and tropospheric firn air samples from Greenland (North Greenland Eemian Ice Drilling (NEEM) site) and Antarctica (Fletcher Promontory site). From 1970 to the present day, projected trends agree with tropospheric measurements, suggesting that within analytical uncertainties, a constant average emission isotope delta (δ) is a compatible scenario. The measurement uncertainty is too high to determine whether the average emission isotope δ has been affected by changes in CFC manufacturing processes or not. Our study increases the suite of trace gases amenable to direct isotope ratio measurements in small air volumes (approximately 200 mL), using a single-detector gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) system.

Chlorine isotope composition in chlorofluorocarbons CFC-11, CFC-12 and CFC-113 in firn, stratospheric and tropospheric air

The stratospheric degradation of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) releases chlorine, which is a major contributor to the destruction of stratospheric ozone (O3). A recent study reported strong chlorine isotope fractionation during the breakdown of the most abundant CFC (CFC-12, CCl2F2), similar to effects seen in nitrous oxide (N2O). Using air archives to obtain a long-term record of chlorine isotope ratios in CFCs could help to identify and quantify their sources and sinks. We analyse the three most abundant CFCs and show that CFC-11 (CCl3F) and CFC-113 (CClF2CCl2F) exhibit significant stratospheric chlorine isotope fractionation, in common with CFC-12. The apparent isotope fractionation (ϵapp) for mid- and high-latitude stratospheric samples are (−2.4 ± 0.5) and (−2.3 ± 0.4)‰ for CFC-11, (−12.2 ± 1.6) and (−6.8 ± 0.8)‰ for CFC-12 and (−3.5 ± 1.5) and (−3.3 ± 1.2)‰ for CFC-113, respectively. Assuming a constant source isotope composition, we estimate the expected trends in the tropospheric isotope signature of these gases due to their stratospheric 37Cl enrichment and stratosphere–troposphere exchange. We compare these model results to the long-term δ(37Cl) trends of all three CFCs, measured on background tropospheric samples from the Cape Grim air archive (Tasmania, 1978–2010) and tropospheric firn air samples from Greenland (NEEM site) and Antarctica (Fletcher Promontory site). Model trends agree with tropospheric measurements within analytical uncertainties. From 1970 to the present-day, we find no evidence for variations in chlorine isotope ratios associated with changes in CFC manufacturing processes. Our study increases the suite of trace gases amenable to direct isotope ratio measurements in small air volumes, using a single-detector gas chromatography-mass spectrometry system.

A compilation of tropospheric measurements of gas-phase and aerosol chemistry in polar regions

Measurements of atmospheric chemistry in polar regions have been made for more than half a century. Probably the first Antarctic ozone data were recorded in 1958 during the International Geophysical Year. Since then, many measurement campaigns followed, and the results are now spread over many publications in several journals. Here, we have compiled measurements of tropospheric gas-phase and aerosol chemistry made in the Arctic and the Antarctic. It is hoped that this data collection is worth more than the sum of its components and serves as a basis for future analyses of spatial and temporal trends in polar atmospheric chemistry.

A compilation of tropospheric measurements of gas-phase and aerosol chemistry in polar regions

Measurements of atmospheric chemistry in polar regions have been made for more than half a century. Probably the first Antarctic ozone data were recorded in 1958 during the International Geophysical Year. Since then, many measurement campaigns followed, and the results are now spread over many publications in several journals. Here, we have compiled measurements of tropospheric gas-phase and aerosol chemistry made in the Arctic and the Antarctic. It is hoped that this data collection is worth more than the sum of its components and serves as a basis for future analyses of spatial and temporal trends in polar atmospheric chemistry.