Atmospheric Sciences Commons^™

The Dynamics And Significance Of Carbon Monoxide Exchanges Between Wetlands And The Atmosphere, Gary M. King

University of Maine Office of Research Administration: Grant Reports

Carbon monoxide (CO) plays a major role in atmospheric chemistry. Through a series of reactions, CO can contribute to the formation of tropospheric ozone, which poses a serious health concern on a regional scale. While anthropogenic sources of CO are reasonably well understood, relatively little is known about natural CO sources and sinks. Wetlands have been discounted as CO sources on the basis of sediment CO concentrations. However, plant leaves and stems produce significant amounts of CO when illuminated by the sun. Because of their large amounts of plant biomass, wetlands are likely strong net CO sources. Our work will …

Workshop: A Cross-Biome Synthesis Of Ecosystem Response To Global Warming; October 1998 In Santa Barbara, Ca, Ivan J. Fernandez, Lindsey Rustad

University of Maine Office of Research Administration: Grant Reports

Greenhouse gas emissions are expected to increase mean global temperature by 3-5 C in the next 50-100 years. The consequences of this warming for primary ecosystem processes are not yet understood, and have become tile focus of an emergent field of ecological research. This project will bring together a multi-disciplinary, international group of scientists representing 22 soil/air warming sites from seven countries to synthesize the current knowledge on the effects of elevated temperature on terrestrial ecosystems. In addition, the participants will use this forum to discuss and launch a new GCTE Ecosystem Warming Consortium, which will have far reaching effects …

Application Of Tree-Structured Regression For Regional Precipitation Prediction Using General Circulation Model Output, Xiangshang Li, David J. Sailor

Mechanical and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

This study presents a tree-structured regression (TSR) method to relate daily precipitation with a variety of free-atmosphere variables. Historical data were used to identify distinct weather patterns associated with differing types of precipitation events. Models were developed using 67% of the data for training and the remaining data for model validation. Seasonal models were built for each of 2 US sites: San Francisco, California, and San Antonio, Texas. The average correlation between observed and simulated daily precipitation data series is 0.75 for the training set and 0.68 for the validation set. Relative humidity was found to be the dominant variable …

Secular Variations Of Atomic Oxygen In The Mesopause Region Induced By Transient Gravity Wave Packets, Michael P. Hickey Ph.D., R. L. Walterscheid, Philip G. Richards

Publications

We employ a 2-dimensional, time-dependent, fully nonlinear model of minor species in the mesopause region and our Spectral Full-Wave Model to simulate the response of atomic oxygen (O) to a gravity wave packet in the mesopause region. We demonstrate that gravity waves affect the time-averaged distribution of O in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT) region through the constituent fluxes the waves induce. Our conclusions are based on simulations of two wave packets that violate the non-acceleration conditions through transience and dissipation. The net cycle-averaged effect of the waves is to significantly increase (by as much as 50%) the O …

Photochemical Production Of Gas Phase No X From Ice Crystal No3 −, R E. Honrath, S Guo, Matthew C. Peterson, M P. Dziobak, Jack E. Dibb, Matthew Arsenault

Earth Sciences

Recent measurements have demonstrated that sunlight irradiation of snow results in the release of significant amounts of gas phase NO_x (NO+NO₂). We report here the results of a series of experiments designed to test the hypothesis that the observed NO_x production is the result of nitrate photolysis. Snow produced from deionized water with and without the addition of nitrate was exposed to natural sunlight in an outdoor flow chamber. While NO_x release from snow produced without added NO⁻₃ was minimal, the addition of 100 µM NO⁻₃resulted in the release …

The Influence Of Wave– And Zonal Mean–Ozone Feedbacks On The Quasi-Biennial Oscillation, Eugene Cordero, Terrence R. Nathan

Faculty Publications, Meteorology and Climate Science

The effects of wave and zonal mean ozone heating on the evolution of the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) are examined using a two-dimensional mechanistic model of the equatorial stratosphere. The model atmosphere is governed by coupled equations for the zonal mean and (linear) wave fields of ozone, temperature, and wind, and is driven by specifying the amplitudes of a Kelvin wave and a Rossby–gravity wave at the lower boundary. Wave–mean flow interactions are accounted for in the model, but not wave–wave interactions.

A reference simulation (RS) of the QBO, in which ozone feedbacks are neglected, is carried out and the results …

Experimental Goes Sounder Products For The Assessment Of Downburst Potential, Gary P. Ellrod, James P. Nelson Iii, Michael R. Witiw, Lynda Bottos, William P. Roeder

Aeronautics Faculty Publications

Several experimental products derived from Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) Sounder retrievals (vertical profiles of temperature and moisture) have been developed to assist weather forecasters in assessing the potential for convective downbursts. The product suite currently includes the wind index (WINDEX), a dry microburst index, and the maximum difference in equivalent potential temperature (θe) from the surface to 300 hPa. The products are displayed as color-coded boxes or numerical values, superimposed on GOES visible, infrared, or water vapor imagery, and are available hourly, day and night, via the Internet. After two full summers of evaluation, the products have been shown …

The Influence Of Wave– And Zonal Mean–Ozone Feedbacks On The Quasi-Biennial Oscillation, Eugene Cordero, Terrence R. Nathan

Eugene C. Cordero

The effects of wave and zonal mean ozone heating on the evolution of the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) are examined using a two-dimensional mechanistic model of the equatorial stratosphere. The model atmosphere is governed by coupled equations for the zonal mean and (linear) wave fields of ozone, temperature, and wind, and is driven by specifying the amplitudes of a Kelvin wave and a Rossby–gravity wave at the lower boundary. Wave–mean flow interactions are accounted for in the model, but not wave–wave interactions.

A reference simulation (RS) of the QBO, in which ozone feedbacks are neglected, is carried out and the results …

Resolving Ambiguities In Gravity Wave Propagation Directions Inherent In Satellite Observations: A Simulation Study, Michael P. Hickey Ph.D., Jason S. Brown

Publications

We simulate space-based, sub-limb viewing observations of airglow brightness fluctuations caused by atmospheric gravity wave interactions with the O2 atmospheric airglow, and we demonstrate that, due to the geometry associated with such observations, the brightness fluctuations observed for the optically thick 0–0 band emission will always appear stronger for waves traveling towards the observer (satellite). The effect should be most noticeable for waves having relatively small vertical wavelengths (∼10 km) and horizontal wavelengths of 50 km or greater. For waves of short (∼100 km) horizontal wavelength, the brightness fluctuation anisotropy with respect to viewing direction may also be evident in …

Release Of No(X) From Sunlight-Irradiated Midlatitude Snow, R E. Honrath, Matthew C. Peterson, M P. Dziobak, Jack E. Dibb, Matthew Arsenault, S A. Green

Earth Sciences

Photochemical production and release of gas-phase NO(x) (NO + NO2) from the natural snowpack at a remote site in northern Michigan were investigated during the Snow Nitrogen and Oxidants in Winter study in January 1999. Snow was collected in an open 34 L chamber, which was then sealed with a transparent Teflon cover and used as an outdoor flow and reaction chamber. Significant increases in NO(x) mixing ratio were observed in synthetic and ambient air pulled through the sunlit chamber. [NO(x)] enhancements were correlated to ultraviolet sunlight intensity, reaching ~300 pptv under partially overcast midday, mid-winter conditions. These findings are …

Trajectory Mapping: A Tool For Validation Of Trace Gas Observations, Gary A. Morris, James F. Gleason, Jerald Ziemke, Mark R. Schoeberl

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

We investigate the effectiveness of trajectory mapping(TM) as a data validation tool. TM combines a dynamical model of the atmosphere with trace gas observations to provide more statistically robust estimates of instrument performance over much broader geographic areas than traditional techniques are able to provide. We present four detailed case studies selected so that the traditional techniques are expected to work well. In each case the TM results are equivalent to or improve upon the measurement comparisons performed with traditional approaches. The TM results are statistically more robust than those achieved using traditional approaches since the TM comparisons occur over …

Effects Of Planetary Wave-Breaking On The Seasonal Variation Of Total Column Ozone, Terrence R. Nathan, Eugene C. Cordero, Long Li, Donald J. Wuebbles

Faculty Publications, Meteorology and Climate Science

The effects of planetary wave breaking on the seasonal variation of total column ozone are investigated using a zonally averaged chemical-radiative-transport model of the atmosphere. The planetary wave breaking effects of zonal wavenumbers k=1 and k=2 are significant in the middle latitude stratosphere during Northern Hemisphere (NH) winter, whereas only wave k=1 is important during Southern Hemisphere (SH) winter. The mixing and induced meridional circulation due to the planetary wave breaking increases the seasonal variation of total column ozone in NH (SH) middle latitudes by ∼20% (∼10%).

Effects Of Planetary Wave-Breaking On The Seasonal Variation Of Total Column Ozone, Terrence R. Nathan, Eugene C. Cordero, Long Li, Donald J. Wuebbles

Eugene C. Cordero

The effects of planetary wave breaking on the seasonal variation of total column ozone are investigated using a zonally averaged chemical-radiative-transport model of the atmosphere. The planetary wave breaking effects of zonal wavenumbers k=1 and k=2 are significant in the middle latitude stratosphere during Northern Hemisphere (NH) winter, whereas only wave k=1 is important during Southern Hemisphere (SH) winter. The mixing and induced meridional circulation due to the planetary wave breaking increases the seasonal variation of total column ozone in NH (SH) middle latitudes by ∼20% (∼10%).

Advanced Atmospheric Water Vapor Dial Detection System, Tamer Refaat

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Measurement of atmospheric water vapor is very important for understanding the Earth's climate and water cycle. The remote sensing Differential Absorption Lidar (DIAL) technique is a powerful method to perform such measurement from aircraft and space. This thesis describes a new advanced detection system, which incorporates major improvements regarding sensitivity and size. These improvements include a low noise advanced avalanche photodiode detector, a custom analog circuit, a 14-bit digitizer, a microcontroller for on board averaging and finally a fast computer interface.

This thesis describes the design and validation of this new water vapor DIAL detection system which was integrated onto …

Influence Of Advection On Measurements Of The Net Ecosystem-Atmosphere Exchange Of Co2 From A Very Tall Tower, Chuixiang Yi, Kenneth J. Davis, Peter S. Bakwin, Bernard W. Berger, Linsey C. Marr

Publications and Research

In most studies of the net ecosystem-atmosphere exchange of CO₂ (NEE) using tower-based eddy covariance( EC) systems it has been assumed that advection is negligible. In this study we use a scalar conservation budget method to estimate the contribution of advection to NEE measurements from a very tall tower in northern Wisconsin. We examine data for June-August 1997. Measured NEEo, calculated as the sum of the EC flux plus the rate of change of storage below the EC measurement level, is expected to be constant with measurement height, and we take the differences between levels as a measure of …

Tropospheric Reactive Odd Nitrogen Over The South Pacific In Austral Springtime, Jack E. Dibb, R. Talbot, Eric Scheuer, J D. Bradshaw, S T. Sandholm, D R. Blake, N J. Blake, Elliot Atlas, F Flocke

Earth Sciences

The distribution of reactive nitrogen species over the South Pacific during austral springtime appears to be dominated by biomass burning emissions and possibly lightning and stratospheric inputs. The absence of robust correlations of reactive nitrogen species with source-specific tracers (e.g., C₂H₂ [combustion], CH₃Cl [biomass burning], C₂Cl₄ [industrial],²¹⁰Pb [continental], and ⁷Be [stratospheric]) suggests significant aging and processing of the sampled air parcels due to losses by surface deposition, OH attack, and dilution processes. Classification of the air parcels based on CO enhancements indicates that the greatest influence was found in …

Validation Of The Ionospheric Forecast Model (Ifm) Version 3, Michael D. Scott

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to validate the Ionospheric Forecast Model (IFM) Version 3 to assess its suitability and usefulness as an operational tool. The Ionospheric forecast model is a first principles computer model designed to forecast the state of the global ionosphere to 24 hours. The scope was limited to a comparison of the F2 layer critical frequency (foF2) and peak electron density (hmF2) against observed ionosonde data. The model was run with global solar and geomagnetic indices and Information from Digitial Ionospheric Sounding System (DISS) observations as inputs. The DISS observations were input through the Parameterized Real-Time …

Chemical Nox Budget In The Upper Troposphere Over The Tropical South Pacific, Martin G. Schultz, Daniel J. Jacob, J D. Bradshaw, S T. Sandholm, Jack E. Dibb, R. Talbot, Hanwant B. Singh

Earth Sciences

The chemical NOx budget in the upper troposphere over the tropical South Pacific is analyzed using aircraft measurements made at 6-12 km altitude in September 1996 during the Global Tropospheric Experiment (GTE) Pacific Exploratory Mission (PEM) Tropics A campaign. Chemical loss and production rates of NOx along the aircraft flight tracks are calculated with a photochemical model constrained by observations. Calculations using a standard chemical mechanism show a large missing source for NOx; chemical loss exceeds chemical production by a factor of 2.4 on average. Similar or greater NOx budget imbalances have been reported in analyses of data from previous …

Quantifying The Protonospheric Effect On Prism, Kelly B. Doser

Theses and Dissertations

The total electron content (TEC) contribution to a Parameterized Real-time Ionospheric Specification Model (PRISM) calculation has been studied using protonospheric TEC measurements made by Global Positioning Satellites (GPS). Including the protonosphere proved challenging to both the calibration of GPS measurements and execution of PRISM. Though 46 days of GPS measurements were acquired, only 40 were successfully calibrated, and only 35 of those were used in the study. Data issues such as availability and completeness as well as measurement quality affected 6 of the days used. Calibration was done at Pittsburgh by excluding all measurements below 40.750 N. latitude cutoff. This …

Tunable Mid-Ir Optical Parametric Oscillator Using Periodically Poled Rubidum Titanyl Arsenate, Frank J. Glavic

Theses and Dissertations

Tunable sources of coherent radiation are needed for a variety of military and commercial applications, including infrared countermeasures and atmospheric remote sensing. This research investigates a tunable mid-infrared coherent source using periodically-poled rubidium titanyl arsenate (PPRTA) as a quasi-phase matched (QPM) optical parametric oscillator (OPO). The advantages of PPRTA over periodically poled lithium niobate (PPLN) are presented. Quasi-phase matching and periodic poling theory are discussed, along with some important historical results and current developments. Experimental setups for determining threshold, conversion efficiency, pump depletion, and beam quality are presented along with experimental results. The research effort is focused on characterizing PPRTA …

Atmospheric Temperature Profiles By Ground-Based Infrared Spectrometer Measurements, Jon M. Saul

Theses and Dissertations

A method to recover atmospheric temperature profiles using a ground-based Fourier Transform Infrared spectrometer was investigated. The method used a difference form of the radiative transfer equation, a Bomem MR series Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer to collect atmospheric radiance values, and the Phillips Laboratory Expert- assisted User Software (PLEXUS) atmospheric radiance model, to recover an atmospheric temperature profile. The method researched uses radiance values from both the spectrometer measurements and the atmospheric model, along with kernel functions calculated by the atmospheric model as input to a difference form of the radiation transfer equation. From this the change in brightness temperatures …

Composition And Distribution Of Aerosols Over The North Atlantic During The Subsonic Assessment Ozone And Nitrogen Oxide Experiment (Sonex), Jack E. Dibb, R. Talbot, Eric Scheuer

Earth Sciences

We report the mixing ratios of aerosol-associated soluble ions (focusing on SO₄⁼ and NO₃⁻) and HNO₃ over the North Atlantic during NASA's Subsonic Assessment Ozone and Nitrogen Oxide Experiment (SONEX). The SONEX campaign was designed to quantify the impacts of jet emissions in the North Atlantic Flight Corridor (NAFC) by sampling both directly within and far removed from the organized track system. Beryllium-7 activities were also measured to assess the magnitude of stratospheric influence in the SONEX study region. Mixing ratios of aerosol-associated SO₄⁼ and NO₃⁻ above 8 km during …

Monsoon And Dust Signals Recorded In Dasuopu Glacier, Tibetan Plateau, Kang Shichang, Cameron P. Wake, Qin Dahe, Paul Andrew Mayewski, Yao Tandong

Earth Science Faculty Scholarship

During summer 1997, a 15m firn core was recovered from Dasuopu glacier (28°23'N, 85° 44' E; 7000 m a.s.l.) on the northwest margin of Xixabangma Feng in the central Himalaya. Oxygen isotope values and concentrations of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, NH₄⁺, SO₄^2- and NO₃^- were measured over the 10 years of snow accumulation captured in the firn core. The seasonal variations of δ¹⁸O values and major-ion concentrations in the Dasuopu core indicated that summer monsoon and dust signals are clearly recorded in Dasuopu glacier. Annual variations in the δ …

Emergency Response Canadian Pacific Railway Canadian Main Line, Barry A. Palynchuk Phd, Michael J. Loehr, Robert W. Badger, Robert P. Conroy, Clive H. Mackay

Barry A. Palynchuk PhD

In late June 1998, a major storm event occurred in the Adirondack Mountains in the vicinity of Keeseville, New York about 150 miles north of Albany. This storm resulted in unprecedented damage to the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) Canadian Mainline along the shores of Lake Champlain. The storm caused 14 major embankment failures and washouts, numerous minor failures, severe bridge foundation scour and a major mainline derailment.

The Use Of Long-Lived Tracer Observations To Examine Transport Characteristics In The Lower Stratosphere, Gretchen Scott Lingenfelser

Dissertations, Theses, and Masters Projects

No abstract provided.