Reactive trace gases measured in the interstitial air of surface snow at Summit, Greenland


Contact
hwjacobi [ at ] awi-bremerhaven.de

Abstract

Concentration measurements of nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), nitrous acid (HONO), nitric acid(HNO3), formaldehyde (HCHO), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), formic acid (HCOOH) and acetic acid (CH3COOH) wereperformed in air filtered through the pore spaces of the surface snowpack (firn air) at Summit, Greenland, in summer2000. In general, firn air concentrations of NO, NO2, HONO, HCHO, HCOOH, and CH3COOH were enhancedcompared to concentrations in the atmospheric boundary layer above the snow. Only HNO3 and H2O2 normallyexhibited lower concentrations in the firn air. In most cases differences were highest during the day and lowest duringnighttime hours. Shading experiments showed a good agreement with a photochemical NOx source in the surface snow. Patterns of H2O2, CH3COOH, and HNO3 observed within the surface snow-firn air system imply that the number of molecules in the snow greatly exceeded that in the firn air. Deduced partitioning indicates that the largest fractions of the acids were present at the ice grainair interface. In all cases, the number of molecules located at the interface was significantly higher than the amount in the firn air. Therefore, snow surface area and surface coverage are important parameters, which must be considered for the interpretation of firn air concentrations.



Item Type
Article
Authors
Divisions
Programs
Publication Status
Published
Eprint ID
5828
DOI 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2004.01.004

Cite as
Jacobi, H. W. , Bales, R. C. , Honrath, R. E. , Peterson, M. C. , Dibb, J. E. , Swanson, A. L. and Albert, M. R. (2004): Reactive trace gases measured in the interstitial air of surface snow at Summit, Greenland , Atmospheric environment, 38 , pp. 1687-1697 . doi: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2004.01.004


Download
[thumbnail of Fulltext]
Preview
PDF (Fulltext)
Jac2002b.pdf

Download (695kB) | Preview
Cite this document as:

Share
Add to AnyAdd to TwitterAdd to FacebookAdd to LinkedinAdd to PinterestAdd to Email


Citation

Research Platforms
N/A

Campaigns
N/A


Actions
Edit Item Edit Item