NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
A Balloon Sounding Technique for Measuring SO2 PlumesThis paper reports on the development of a new technique for inexpensive measurements of SO2 profiles using a modified dual-ozonesonde instrument payload. The presence of SO2 interferes with the standard electrochemical cell (ECC) ozonesonde measurement, resulting in -1 molecule of O3 reported for each molecule of SO2 present (provided [O3] > [SO2]). In laboratory tests, an SO2 filter made with Cr03 placed on the inlet side of the sonde removes nearly 100% of the SO2 present for concentrations up to 60 ppbv and remained effective after exposure to 2.8 X 10(exp 16) molecules of SO2 [equivalent to a column approximately 150 DU (1 DU = 2.69 X 10(exp 20) molecules m(exp -2))]. Flying two ECC instruments on the same payload with one filtered and the other unfiltered yields SO2 profiles, inferred by subtraction. Laboratory tests and field experience suggest an SO2 detection limit of approximately 3 pbb with profiles valid from the surface to the ozonopause [i.e., approximately (8-10 km)]. Two example profiles demonstrate the success of this technique for both volcanic and industrial plumes.
Document ID
20110007768
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Morris, Gary A.
(Valparaiso Univ. IN, United States)
Komhyr, Walter D.
(EnSci Corp. Boulder, CO, United States)
Hirokawa, Jun
(Hokkaido Univ. Sapporo, Japan)
Lefer, Barry
(Houston Univ. Houston, TX, United States)
Krotkov, Nicholay
(Maryland Univ. Baltimore, MD, United States)
Ngan, Fong
(National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Silver Spring, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
August 25, 2013
Publication Date
August 1, 2010
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology
Publisher: American Meteorological Society
Volume: 27
Subject Category
Environment Pollution
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available