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Trajectory Hunting: Analysis of UARS Measurements Showing Rapid Chlorine ActivationTrajectory hunting (i.e., a technique to find air parcels sampled at least twice over the course of a few days) is applied to analyze Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) measurements in conjunction with the AER photochemical box model. In this study, we investigate rapid chlorine activation in the Arctic lower stratosphere on 29 Dec. 1992 associated with a polar stratospheric cloud (PSC) event. Six air parcels that have been sampled twice were followed along 5-day trajectories at the 465 K (approx. 46 mb) and 585 K (approxi. 22 mb) levels. A detailed sensitivity study with the AER photochemical box model along these trajectories leads to the following conclusions for the episode considered: 1) model results are in better agreement with UARS measurements at these levels if the U.K. Meteorological Office (UKMO) temperature is decreased by at least 1-2 K; 2) the NAT (nitric acid trihydrate) PSC formation scheme produces results in better agreement with observations than the STS (supercooled ternary solution) scheme; 3) the model can explain the UARS measurements at 585 K, but under-estimates the ClO abundance at 465 K, suggesting some inconsistency between the UARS measurements at this level.
Document ID
19990014076
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Other
Authors
Danilin, M. Y. (Atmospheric and Environmental Research, Inc. Cambridge, MA United States)
Santee, M. L. (Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Tech. Pasadena, CA United States)
Rodriquez, J. M. (Atmospheric and Environmental Research, Inc. Cambridge, MA United States)
Ko, M. K. W. (Atmospheric and Environmental Research, Inc. Cambridge, MA United States)
Mergenthaler, J. M. (Lockheed Martin Corp. Palo Alto, CA United States)
Kumer, J. B. (Lockheed Martin Corp. Palo Alto, CA United States)
Tabazadeh, A. (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1998
Subject Category
Environment Pollution
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS5-97039
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS5-32844
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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