Tropospheric Chemistry: Projects

SEAC⁴RS, Utapao, Thailand, 2012. The Southeast Asia Composition, Cloud, Climate Coupling Regional Study (SEAC⁴RS) will address key questions regarding the influence of Asian emissions on clouds, climate, and air quality as well as fundamental satellite observability of the system. Airborne measurements taken from the NASA DC-8 provide observations from near the surface to 12 km, and from the NASA ER-2 provide high altitude observations reaching into the lower stratosphere. More info...
DC3, Salina, Kansas, 2012. The Deep Convective Clouds & Chemistry (DC3) experiment investigates the impact of deep, midlatitude continental convective clouds, including their dynamical, physical, and lightning processes, on upper tropospheric composition and chemistry. Airborne measurements taken from the NASA DC-8 provide in situ observations to characterize the convective storm inflow and provide remote sensing to aid in flight planning and column characterization. Our instruments aboard the NASA DC-8 aircraft continue on to Thailand to participate in SEAC⁴RS. More info...
E&E UBWOS, Horsepool, Utah, 2012. The Energy and Environment - Uintah Basin Winter Ozone Study (E&E UBWOS) was designed to study the causes of high wintertime ozone observed in the Uintah Basin. Scientists constructed a ground site of instruments to study sources of VOCs, NOx and particles, ozone formation chemistry in areas of enhanced UV radiation from snow cover, unique radical sources (HONO, CH₂O, ClNO₂) and the role of transport. More info...	Trailers at ground site near Horsepool, UT.
BioCORN, Ft. Collins, Colorado, 2011. The primary goals of Biofuel Crops emission of Ozone pRecursors iNtensive (BioCORN) are to discover the dominant VOCs from biofuel crops, the likely oxidation products, and the total aerosol and ozone forming potential. To help meet these goals, scientists set up a ground site with several instruments to measure the emissions of a corn field. Corn is the largest biofuel crop in the U.S. for ethanol production. Most of the gasoline sold in the U.S. is E10 which means it contains 10% ethanol, mainly produced from corn. Furthermore, there is little information on VOC emissions in literature from corn. More info...	Corn field near Fort Collins, CO.
NACHTT, Erie, Colorado, 2011. The primary goal of Nitrogen, Aerosol Composition, and Halogens on a Tall Tower (NACHTT) is to understand why and how a compound usually associated with the atmosphere near oceans – nitryl chloride (NO₂Cl) – also forms during the winter nighttime in land-locked regions. NO₂Cl breaks apart quickly as the sun rises to release chlorine atoms. Chlorine atoms can react with many other compounds, contributing to smog formation, and can also influence chemical cycles that destroy or produce various greenhouse gases, including ozone and methane. Studies commence February - March 2011 to assess these implications for both climate and air quality. More info...	Boulder Atmospheric Observatory Tower, Erie, CO.
CalNex 2010, Southern California. The goal of the CalNex 2010 program is to study the important issues at the nexus of the air quality and climate change problems, and to provide scientific information regarding the trade-offs faced by decision makers when addressing these two inter-related issues. The NOAA WP-3D aircraft, the R/V Atlantis ship, and several ground sites are involved in this project. Comprehensive data analysis followed the completion of this project in July 2010. More info...	Haze over East Los Angeles.
Fire Lab, Missoula, Montana, 2009. Forest fires are a large source for pollutants in the atmosphere and one of the important issues for air quality and climate change. The goal of this study was to quantify the atmospheric source of organic and inorganic trace gases from forest fires and to assess their potential to contribute to aerosol and ozone formation. The fire emissions of various fuels from the south-eastern and south-western US were quantified and compared. More info...	A test fire in the Fire Lab.
Kohler Mesa, Boulder, Colorado, 2009. Halogens play several important roles in the Earth's atmosphere, influencing ozone levels and affecting rates of VOC oxidation. Yet both the magnitude and the identity of halogen sources remain highly uncertain, particularly in the troposphere. Recently, NOAA researchers have discovered a mechanism for release of halogens from halide containing aerosols that is linked to NOx pollution. This mechanism was originally thought to be important only in coastal or marine environments where sea salt aerosol provides a source of aerosol chloride. The aim of this study is to determine the extent to which such chemistry is also active over mid-continental areas. Results will provide new insight into the efficiency of tropospheric halogen production.	Trailers housing instruments on Kohler Mesa.
ARCPAC, Fairbanks, Alaska, 2008. As part of the International Polar Year of 2008, NOAA engaged in an airborne field measurement campaign targeted at improving understanding climate-relevant processes. This effort was focused on direct measurements of properties and processes that can be used to reduce uncertainty in radiation and climate models. The measurements were made in the Alaskan Arctic to closely coordinate with remote-sensing and in situ observations planned for aircraft and ground sites in the vicinity of Barrow, Alaska. More info...	NOAA WP-3D aircraft over the Brooks Range, AK.
ICEALOT, Greenland, Norwegian and Barents Seas, 2008. As part of the International Polar Year of 2008, NOAA engaged in a field mission using the R/V Knorr in the ice-free regions of the Greenland, Norwegian, and Barents Seas. Scientific issues to be addressed will include springtime sources and transport of pollutants to the Arctic, evolution of aerosols and gases into and within the Arctic, and climate impacts of haze and ozone in the Arctic. More info...	R/V Knorr in stormy weather.
Erie Tower, Erie, Colorado, 2008. The Erie Tower 2008 project is a short-term informal, collaborative study linking air quality and climate goals in an urban area in the proximity of complex terrain. This project temporarily enhances NOAA Carbon Cycle long-term measurements with an additional suite of anthropogenic pollution measurements. This study overlaps with test flights of ESRL remote-sensing instrumentation on the NOAA Twin Otter in the Colorado Front Range region. More info...	Boulder Atmospheric Observatory Tower, Erie, CO.