AIRCRAFT MEASUREMENTS AND ANALYSES OF CO, CH4, N2O
AND H2O(v) IN SUPPORT OF
TRACE-P
We will provide accurate, high precision measurements of carbon monoxide
(CO), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O) and water vapor
(H2O(v)) aboard the NASA DC-8 aircraft; and CO and CH4
aboard the NASA P-3B aircraft during the TRACE-P mission. These measurements
will be made by fast response tunable diode laser sensors---the DACOM (Diferential
Absorption CO Measurement) instrument for CO, CH4, and N2O
on the DC-8, the DACOM II instrument for CO and CH4 on the P-3, and
the DLH (Diode Laser Hygrometer) for H2O(v) on the DC-8.
One objective of the our analyses will be to synthesize the high vertical
resolution, aircraft CO and CH4 data from the DACOM instruments with
MOPITT (Measurement Of Pollution In The Troposphere) CO profile and CH4
total column data for the purpose improving the quantitative interpretation of
the MOPITT data. The ability of MOPITT to observe large regions of the Asian
outflow within a single orbital pass over a long duration of time (prior to and
after TRACE-P) combined with the added value of interpretation of the satellite
data will greatly improve the prospect of quantifying the emissions outflow from
Asia, the primary goal of TRACE-P. Integrating the MOPITT data into our analyses
will be facilitated by Dr. Pougatchev, co-I with this proposal and PI for MOPITT
Validation by Ground-based IR Solar Spectroscopy, and by Dr. J. Drummond, PI for
MOPITT who has agreed to assist us as a cooperating scientist.
Other
objectives include: (a) investigation of the vertical and geographical
distribution of these gas species in context with other data available in this
region [e.g., PEM-West A and B missions, data from NOAA CMDL surface sites such
as Shemya, the Tae-Ahn Peninsula,
Midway Island, and Guam, and MAPS (Measurement of Air Pollution from a
Satellite) data]; (b) providing highly time-correlated, high precision data
enabling the identification
of possible source regions of sampled air parcels as well as the calculation of emission indices for a number of trace gases;
(c) providing fast response (10 Hz) water vapor data for studying atmospheric turbulence and fine structure; and (d)
providing high accuracy data for input into atmospheric photochemical models.