Radon-222 measurements during the Tropoz II campaign and comparison with a global atmospheric transport model

The aim of the ²²²Rn measurements during the airborne campaign TROPOZ II, was first to help in the interpretation of the photochemical studies, and secondly to furnish a data set of ²²²Rn in the troposphere, for validation of atmospheric transport models. In this paper we present the ²²²Rn measurements, and their simulation with a 3-D atmospheric transport model based on observed winds. The ²²²Rn was measured using the active daughters deposit technique with isokinetic aerosol sampling. We have obtained 44 measurements distributed between 65° North and 55° South, from 1 to 11 km height. In 25% of cases, we found relatively high concentrations (> 300 mBq·scm) of ²²²Rn in the high troposphere (>8 km). The results of 3D simulations and the calculations of back-trajectories allow us to find the origins of the high ²²²Rn concentrations. The transport model reproduced most of the observed synoptic variations, but it overestimates the concentrations which implies a vertical transport of excessive velocity.     

Assessment of the soil CO2 gradient method for soil CO2 efflux measurements: comparison of six models in the calculation of the relative gas diffusion coefficient

This paper uses a refined soil gradient method to estimate soil CO₂ efflux. Six different models are used to determine the relative gas diffusion coefficient (ξ). A weighted harmonic averaging is used to estimate the soil CO₂ diffusion coefficient, yielding a better estimate of soil CO₂ efflux. The resulting soil CO₂ efflux results are then compared to the soil CO₂ efflux measured with a soil chamber. Depending on the choice of ξ model used, the estimated soil CO₂ efflux using the gradient method reasonably approximates the efflux obtained using the soil chamber method. In addition, the estimated soil CO₂ efflux obtained by this improved method is well described by an exponential function of soil temperature at a depth of 0.05 m with the temperature sensitivity ( Q ₁₀) of 1.81 and a linear function of soil moisture at a depth of 0.12 m, in general agreement with previous findings. These results suggest that the gradient method is a practical cost-effective means to measure soil CO₂ emissions. Results from the present study suggest that the gradient method can be used successfully to measure soil CO₂ efflux provided that proper attention is paid to the judicious use of the proper diffusion coefficient.     

The H2/CO ratio of emissions from combustion sources: comparison of top-down with bottom-up measurements in southwest Germany

The hydrogen-to-carbon monoxide (H₂/CO) emission ratio of anthropogenic combustion sources was determined from more than two years of quasi-continuous atmospheric observations in Heidelberg (49°24' N, 8°42' E), located in the polluted Rhein-Neckar region. Evaluating concurrent mixing ratio changes of H₂ and CO during morning rush hours yielded mean molar H₂/CO ratios of 0.40 ± 0.06, while respective results inferred from synoptic pollution events gave a mean value of 0.31 ± 0.05 mole H₂/mole CO. After correction for the influence of the H₂ soil sink on the measured ratios, mean values of 0.46 ± 0.07 resp. 0.48 ± 0.07 mole H₂/mole CO were obtained, which are in excellent agreement with direct source studies of traffic emissions in the Heidelberg/Mannheim region (0.448 ± 0.003 mole H₂/mole CO). Including results from other European studies, our best estimate of the mean H₂/CO emission ratio from anthropogenic combustion sources (mainly traffic) ranges from 0.45 to 0.48 mole H₂/mole CO, which is about 20% smaller than the value of 0.59 mole H₂/mole CO which is frequently used as the basis to calculate global H₂ emissions from anthropogenic combustion sources.     

The YAK-AEROSIB transcontinental aircraft campaigns: new insights on the transport of CO2, CO and O3 across Siberia

Two airborne campaigns were carried out to measure the tropospheric concentrations and variability of CO₂, CO and O₃ over Siberia. In order to quantify the influence of remote and regional natural and anthropogenic sources, we analysed a total of 52 vertical profiles of these species collected in April and September 2006, every ∼200 km and up to 7 km altitude. CO₂ and CO concentrations were high in April 2006 (respectively 385–390 ppm CO₂ and 160–200 ppb CO) compared to background values. CO concentrations up to 220 ppb were recorded above 3.5 km over eastern Siberia, with enhancements in 500–1000 m thick layers. The presence of CO enriched air masses resulted from a quick frontal uplift of a polluted air mass exposed to northern China anthropogenic emissions and to fire emissions in northern Mongolia. A dominant Asian origin for CO above 4 km (71.0%) contrasted with a dominant European origin below this altitude (70.9%) was deduced both from a transport model analysis, and from the contrasted ΔCO/ΔCO₂ ratio vertical distribution. In September 2006, a significant O₃ depletion (∼–30 ppb) was repeatedly observed in the boundary layer, as diagnosed from virtual potential temperature profiles and CO₂ gradients, compared to the free troposphere aloft, suggestive of a strong O₃ deposition over Siberian forests.     

Vertical profiles of biospheric and fossil fuel-derived CO2 and fossil fuel CO2 : CO ratios from airborne measurements of Δ14C, CO2 and CO above Colorado, USA

Measurements of  Δ¹⁴C  in atmospheric CO₂ are an effective method of separating CO₂ additions from fossil fuel and biospheric sources or sinks of CO₂. We illustrate this technique with vertical profiles of CO₂ and  Δ¹⁴C  analysed in whole air flask samples collected above Colorado, USA in May and July 2004. Comparison of lower tropospheric composition to cleaner air at higher altitudes (>5 km) revealed considerable additions from respiration in the morning in both urban and rural locations. Afternoon concentrations were mainly governed by fossil fuel emissions and boundary layer depth, also showing net biospheric CO₂ uptake in some cases. We estimate local industrial CO₂:CO emission ratios using in situ measurements of CO concentration. Ratios are found to vary by 100% and average 57 mole CO₂:1 mole CO, higher than expected from emissions inventories. Uncertainty in CO₂ from different sources was ±1.1 to ±4.1 ppm for addition or uptake of −4.6 to 55.8 ppm, limited by  Δ¹⁴C  measurement precision and uncertainty in background  Δ¹⁴C  and CO₂ levels.