Vertical distribution of aerosol particles, water vapor, and insoluble trace gases in convectively mixed air

Journal Article · Sun Jan 20 04:00:00 EST 1991 · Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/90JD02117· OSTI ID:5560328

Kleinman, L I; Daum, P H ^[1]

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1. Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY (USA)

Vertical distributions of submicrometer size aerosol particles, water vapor, and the insoluble gases (O{sub 3}, CO, and NO{sub y}) were determined from measurements made during 12 aircraft flights conducted in June 1987 near Columbus, Ohio. Measurements extended from the surface to 290 mbar ({approximately}9.5 km) and were made primarily in the vicinity of convective storms. The mixing ratio of aerosol particles decreased strongly with altitude, from an average value of 1,800 scm{sup {minus}3} (scm = standard centimeter) near the surface to a value in the upper troposphere (30 scm{sup {minus}3}, above 300 mbar) that was, on average, less than 2% of the near-surface mixing ratio. This decrease was similar to that exhibited by water vapor. CO and NO{sub y},in contrast, were more uniformly distributed. Average upper tropospheric mixing ratios were 128 and 0.8 ppb, 51 and 35%, respectively, of boundary layer values. Compact plumelike features were observed at high altitude which were attributed to boundary layer air that had been transported upward in convective storms. Such boundary layer air encountered aloft could contain higher mixing ratios of water vapor and aerosol particles than found in adjacent regions, but on an absolute basis these soluble substances were always severely depleted relative to the insoluble gases, CO and NO{sub y}. The authors ascribe the qualitative difference between the vertical distributions of soluble and insoluble substances as being due to in-cloud processes occurring during upward transport. The upward transport of soluble material is limited by dissolution in cloud water and subsequent conversion of cloud water to downward moving precipitation, whereas insoluble pollutants are not affected by this process.

• DOE Contract Number: AC02-76CH00016
• OSTI ID: 5560328
• Journal Information: Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States) Vol. 96:D1; ISSN 0148-0227; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540120* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
AEROSOLS
AIR POLLUTION
AIRCRAFT
ALTITUDE
ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
BOUNDARY LAYERS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON MONOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMISTRY
CLOUDS
COLLOIDS
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
DISASTERS
DISPERSIONS
DISSOLUTION
DISTRIBUTION
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
FEDERAL REGION V
FLUID MECHANICS
FLUIDS
GASES
LAYERS
MASS TRANSFER
MECHANICS
MIXING
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN OXIDES
NORTH AMERICA
OHIO
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
OZONE
PARTICLES
PARTICULATES
POLLUTION
SOLS
SOLUBILITY
STORMS
TROPOSPHERE
USA
VAPORS
WATER VAPOR