Studies of the flux of atmospheric nitrogenous species

Thesis/Dissertation · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1989

OSTI ID:7128328

Watkins, B A

The fluxes of the oxides of nitrogen were determined in a wheat field at the Rybicka farm outside Bennett, Colorado from February through May, 1986. Eddy correlation, a direct micrometeorological technique not requiring the use of inferred quantities, was the method employed. This study is only the second study of the fluxes of the oxides of nitrogen reported using this technique. NO was measured using an instrument based on the chemiluminescent reaction of NO plus O{sub 3}. NOx (NO + NO{sub 2}) was measured by converting NO{sub 2} to NO bypassing the sample over 400{degrees}C molybdenum turnings. The concentration of NOx remains at 9 ppb throughout the sampling period with natural variability between 4 to 18 ppb. The flux of NOx which typically exhibits a diurnal downflux in the morning and an up flux in the afternoon increases from less than {minus}1.0 ppb cm s{sup {minus}1} to + 6.0 cm s{sup {minus}1} by the end of April and appears to level off. The 5 day average contribution to the overall flux by the negative or downward flux remains at {minus}2.5 {plus minus} 2 ppb cm s{sup {minus}1} while the average contribution by the upward flux increases significantly from 1.5 to greater than 9.0 ppb cm s{sup {minus}1}.

• Research Organization: Denver Univ., CO (USA)
• OSTI ID: 7128328
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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