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Measurements of atmospheric dimethylsulfide, hydrogen sulfide, and carbon disulfide during GTE/CITE 3

Journal Article · · Journal of Geophysical Research
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/92JD00218· OSTI ID:85499
;  [1]
  1. Univ. of Miami, Miami, FL (United States)

Measurements of atmospheric dimethylsulfide (DMS), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), and carbon disulfide (CS2) were made over the North and South Atlantic Ocean as part of the Global Tropospheric Experiment/Chemical Instrumentation Test and Evaluation (GTE/CITE 3) project. DMS and CS2 samples were collected and analyzed using an automated gas chromatography/flame photometric detection system with a sampling frequency of 10 min. H2S samples were collected using silver nitrate impregnated filters and analyzed by fluorescence quenching. The DMS data from both hemispheres have a bimodal distribution. Over the North Atlantic this reflects the difference between marine and continental air masses. Over the South Atlantic it may reflect differences in the sea surface source of DMS, corresponding to different air mass source regions. The median boundary layer H2S and CS2 levels were significantly higher in the northern hemisphere than the southern hemisphere, reflecting the higher frequency of samples influenced by pollutant and/or coastal emissions. Composite vertical profiles of DMS and H2S are similar to each other, are consistent with a sea surface source. Vertical profiles of CS2 have maxima in the free troposphere, implicating a continental source. The low levels of H2S and CS2 found in the southern hemisphere constrain the role of these compounds in global budgets to significantly less than previously estimated.

Research Organization:
National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Hampton, VA (United States). Langley Research Center
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
OSTI ID:
85499
Journal Information:
Journal of Geophysical Research, Journal Name: Journal of Geophysical Research Journal Issue: D12 Vol. 98; ISSN JGREA2; ISSN 0148-0227
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English