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Carbon dioxide and oxygen isotope anomalies in the mesosphere and stratosphere

Journal Article · · Science
;  [1];  [2]
  1. Univ. of California, La Jolla, CA (United States)
  2. Univ. of Pittsburgh, PA (United States); and others
Isotopic ({delta}{sup 17}O and {delta}{sup 18}O) measurements of stratospheric and mesospheric carbon dioxide (CO{sub 2}) and oxygen (O{sub 2}), along with trace species concentrations (N{sub 2}O, CO, and CO{sub 2}), were made in samples collected from a rocket-borne cryogenic whole air sampler. A large mass-independent isotopic anomaly was observed in CO{sub 2}, which may in part derive from photochemical coupling to ozone (O{sub 3}). The data also require an additional isotopic fractionation process, which is presently unidentified. Mesospheric O{sub 2} isotope ratios differed from those in the troposphere and stratosphere. The cause of this isotopic variation in O{sub 2} is presently unknown. The inability to account for these observations represents a fundamental gap in the understanding of the O{sub 2} chemistry in the stratosphere and mesosphere. 28 refs., 2 figs., 1 tab.
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
OSTI ID:
171857
Journal Information:
Science, Journal Name: Science Journal Issue: 5238 Vol. 270; ISSN SCIEAS; ISSN 0036-8075
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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