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- Brenninkmeijer, C. A. M., et al.
(author)
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Civil Aircraft for the regular investigation of the atmosphere based on an instrumented container: The new CARIBIC system
- 2007
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In: Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics. - 1680-7324. ; 7:18, s. 4953-4976
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- An airfreight container with automated instruments for measurement of atmospheric gases and trace compounds was operated on a monthly basis onboard a Boeing 767-300 ER of LTU International Airways during long-distance flights from 1997 to 2002 (CARIBIC, Civil Aircraft for Regular Investigation of the Atmosphere Based on an Instrument Container, http://www.caribic-atmospheric.com). Subsequently a more advanced system has been developed, using a larger capacity container with additional equipment and an improved inlet system. CARIBIC phase #2 was implemented on a new long-range aircraft type Airbus A340-600 of the Lufthansa German Airlines (Star Alliance) in December 2004, creating a powerful flying observatory. The instrument package comprises detectors for the measurement of O-3, total and gaseous H2O, NO and NOy, CO, CO2, O-2, Hg, and number concentrations of sub-micrometer particles (>4 nm, >12 nm, and >18 nm diameter). Furthermore, an optical particle counter (OPC) and a proton transfer mass spectrometer (PTR-MS) are incorporated. Aerosol samples are collected for analysis of elemental composition and particle morphology after flight. Air samples are taken in glass containers for laboratory analyses of hydrocarbons, halocarbons and greenhouse gases (including isotopic composition of CO2) in several laboratories. Absorption tubes collect oxygenated volatile organic compounds. Three differential optical absorption spectrometers (DOAS) with their telescopes mounted in the inlet system measure atmospheric trace gases such as BrO, HONO, and NO2. A video camera mounted in the inlet provides information about clouds along the flight track. The flying observatory, its equipment and examples of measurement results are reported.
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| 4. |
- Hermann, M, et al.
(author)
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Submicrometer aerosol particle distributions in the upper troposphere over the mid-latitude North Atlantic - Results from the third route of 'CARIBIC'
- 2008
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In: Tellus. Series B: Chemical and Physical Meteorology. - : Stockholm University Press. - 0280-6509 .- 1600-0889. ; 60:1, s. 106-117
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Particle number and mass concentrations of submicrometer aerosol particles were determined for the upper troposphere over the mid-latitude North Atlantic within the Civil Aircraft for Regular Investigation of the Atmosphere Based on an Instrument Container project (CARIBIC, http://www.caribic-atmospheric.com). Between May 2001 and April 2002, 22 flights from Germany to the Caribbean were conducted using an automated measurement container on a B767 passenger aircraft. Spatial and seasonal probability distributions for ultrafine and Aitken mode particles as well as mass concentrations of particulate sulphur in 8-12 km altitude are presented. High particle number concentrations (mostly 2500-15 000 particles cm(-3) STP) are particularly found in summer over the western North Atlantic Ocean close to the North American continent. The distributions together with an analysis of particle source processes show that deep vertical transport is the dominant process leading to most of the events with high particle number concentrations (greater than or similar to 8000 particles cm(-3) STP) for ultrafine particles as well as for Aitken mode particles. This study emphasizes the importance of deep vertical transport and cloud processing for the concentration of aerosol particles in the upper troposphere.
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| 6. |
- Martinsson, Bengt, et al.
(author)
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Influence of the 2008 Kasatochi volcanic eruption on sulfurous and carbonaceous aerosol constituents in the lower stratosphere
- 2009
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In: Geophysical Research Letters. - 1944-8007. ; 36
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Influences on stratospheric aerosol during the first four months following the eruption of Kasatochi volcano (Alaska) were studied using observations at 10700 +/- 600 m altitude from the CARIBIC platform. Collected aerosol samples were analyzed for elemental constituents. Particle number concentrations were recorded in three size intervals together with ozone mixing ratios and slant column densities of SO2. The eruption increased particulate sulfur concentrations by a factor of up to 10 compared to periods before the eruption (1999-2002 and 2005-August 2008). Three to four months later, the concentration was still elevated by a factor of 3 in the lowermost stratosphere at northern midlatitudes. Besides sulfur, the Kasatochi aerosol contained a significant carbonaceous component and ash that declined in time after the eruption. The carbon-to-sulfur mass concentration ratio of the volcanic aerosol was 2.6 seven days after the eruption and reached 1.2 after 3 - 4 months. Citation: Martinsson, B. G., C. A. M. Brenninkmeijer, S. A. Carn, M. Hermann, K.-P. Heue, P. F. J. van Velthoven, and A. Zahn (2009), Influence of the 2008 Kasatochi volcanic eruption on sulfurous and carbonaceous aerosol constituents in the lower stratosphere, Geophys. Res. Lett., 36, L12813, doi: 10.1029/2009GL038735.
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| 7. |
- Martinsson, B., et al.
(author)
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Analyzing atmospheric trace gases and aerosols using passenger aircraft
- 2005
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In: Eos. - 0096-3941. ; 86:8, s. 77-77
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- CARIBIC (Civil Aircraft for the Regular Investigation of the Atmosphere Based on an Instrument Container) resumed regular measurement flights with an extended scientific payload in December 2004. After an automated measurement container was successfully deployed on intercontinental flights using a Boeing 767 from 1997 to 2002, a far more powerful package now is deployed using a new Airbus A340‐600 made available by Lufthansa German Airlines (Star Alliance). The new CARIBIC system will help address a range of current atmospheric science questions during its projected lifetime of 10 years.European and Japanese scientists are developing a variety of atmospheric chemistry research and monitoring projects based on the use of passenger aircraft. This is a logical approach with a main advantage being that near‐global coverage is obtained, in contrast to limited coverage through research aircraftbased expeditions. Moreover, highly detailed and consistent data sets can be acquired, as compared to satellite observations in general. In addition, even compared to land‐based observatories, operational costs are moderate.
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| 8. |
- Martinsson, Bengt, et al.
(author)
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Characteristics and origin of lowermost stratospheric aerosol at northern midlatitudes under volcanically quiescent conditions based on CARIBIC observations
- 2005
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In: Journal of Geophysical Research. - 2156-2202. ; 110
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Characteristics and origin of the aerosol in the lowermost stratosphere at northern midlatitudes were studied using measurements from a passenger aircraft ( Civil Aircraft for Regular Investigation of the Atmosphere Based on an Instrument Container, or CARIBIC). Aerosol samples were collected during 60 intercontinental flights during 1999 - 2002 and analyzed for elemental composition with particle-induced X-ray emission ( PIXE). Concurrent measurements of trace gases were used to interpret the aerosol measurements. It was found that particulate sulfur concentration increased steadily in the potential vorticity ( PV) region of 2 - 7 PVU, whereas particulate potassium and iron showed no such dependence. The variability in concentration of the latter two elements was mainly connected with season, similar to their variation in the upper troposphere, whereas PV dominated the particulate sulfur variability. An ozone-based model was developed to quantitatively determine the mixing of stratospheric and tropospheric air masses. A significant dependence on PV was found, and the stratospheric fraction of the air peaked during spring. It was found that the particulate sulfur concentration was strongly dependent on the origin of the air masses. The concentration increased by a factor of 3 over the lowermost stratosphere. A discontinuity in the concentration over the tropopause indicated particle formation from sulfur dioxide transported across the tropopause. The concentration at the top of the lowermost stratosphere was used to estimate that the particulate sulfur production in the stratosphere is 0.066 Tg S/yr with approximately half of the amount transported across the top of the lowermost stratosphere originating in carbonyl sulfide.
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| 9. |
- Nguyen Ngoc, Hung, et al.
(author)
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Chemical composition and morphology of individual aerosol particles from a CARIBIC flight at 10 km altitude between 50 degrees N and 30 degrees S
- 2008
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In: Journal of Geophysical Research. - 2156-2202. ; 113:D23
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Analysis of individual particles by analytical electron microscopy as well as quantitative analysis using particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) and particle elastic scattering analysis (PESA) were carried out on samples collected from a flight at 10 km altitude between 50 degrees N and 30 degrees S as part of the Civil Aircraft for Regular Investigation of the atmosphere Based on an Instrument Container (CARIBIC) project (http://www.caribic-atmospheric.com). Particle morphology showed large variability with sampling latitude. Complicated branched structures dominated the large particles of the extratropical northern and southern hemisphere and the northern tropics. Particles in the tropics of the southern hemisphere were small in size and large in number concentration, whereas particles in or close to the intertropical convergence zone were few and small in size. Particles in the lowermost stratosphere were found to have similar structures but more branched than the ones found in the upper troposphere of the extratropics. Quantitative analysis revealed that the sulfur concentration varied by a factor of 50 in the nine samples analyzed in this study. The carbon-to-sulfur mass concentration ratio was lowest in the lowermost stratosphere (0.5) and highest in the tropics of the southern hemisphere (3.5). The elemental distribution of carbon and sulfur in individual particles was mapped by energy-filtered transmission electron microscopy (EFTEM). Almost all particles analyzed contained a mixture of carbonaceous and sulfurous matter. Particles with satellites were found by EFTEM to contain both carbon and sulfur in the central particle, whereas in the satellite particles only carbonaceous material was detected.
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| 10. |
- Slemr, F., et al.
(author)
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Gaseous mercury distribution in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere observed onboard the CARIBIC passenger aircraft
- 2009
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In: Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics. - 1680-7324. ; 9:6, s. 1957-1969
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Total gaseous mercury (TGM) was measured onboard a passenger aircraft during monthly CARIBIC flights (Civil Aircraft for Regular Investigation of the Atmosphere Based on an Instrumented Container) made between May 2005 and March 2007 on the routes Frankfurt-Sao Paulo-Santiago de Chile and back and Frankfurt-Guangzhou-Manila and back. The data provide for the first time an insight into the seasonal distributions of TGM in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere (UT/LS) of both hemispheres and demonstrate the importance of mercury emissions from biomass burning in the Southern Hemisphere. Numerous plumes were observed in the upper troposphere, the larger of which could be characterized in terms of Hg/CO emission ratios and their probable origins. During the flights to China TGM correlated with CO in the upper troposphere with a seasonally dependent slope reflecting the longer lifetime of elemental mercury when compared to that of CO. A pronounced depletion of TGM was always observed in the extratropical lowermost stratosphere. TGM concentrations there were found to decrease with the increasing concentrations of particles. Combined with the large concentrations of particle bond mercury in the stratosphere observed by others, this finding suggests either a direct conversion of TGM to particle bound mercury or an indirect conversion via a semivolatile bivalent mercury compound. Based on concurrent measurements of SF6 during two flights, the rate of this conversion is estimated to 0.4 ng m(-3) yr(-1). A zero TGM concentration was not observed during some 200 flight hours in the lowermost stratosphere suggesting an equilibrium between the gaseous and particulate mercury.
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