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AIRCRAFT
MEASUREMENTS AND ANALYSES OF CO, CH4, N2O
AND H2O(v)
IN SUPPORT OF TRACE-P
Glen
W. Sachse (NASA LaRC), Karen B. Bartlett (Univ. of New
Hampshire), James Podolske (NASA
ARC), and Nikita S. Pougatchev (Christopher
Newport Univ.)
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.
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