Ground-based FTIR Measurements with High Temporal Resolution

We outline how ground-based Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) measurements of stratospheric trace species, obtained with high temporal resolution, could be used to detect filaments of polar vortex air at mid-latitudes and therefore test high spatial resolution chemical transport models (CTMs). Vertical column abundances of HCl, ClONO2, HNO3, N2O and HF have been obtained from FTIR solar absorption measurements made throughout the day from Aberdeen, UK (57°N, 2°W) on several days during winter/spring 1993/94 and 1994/95. The short-timescale ( 2 hours) variability observed in the columns is attributed to real atmospheric variations and is often associated with the passage of high latitude air over Aberdeen. This is confirmed by 3D modelling studies which qualitatively reproduce and rationalise the observed changes in the column data on January 19 1994, January 20 1995 and February 26 1995. We describe the viewing geometry of ground-based FTIR measurements and we suggest a measurement strategy which should maximise the information retrieved on horizontal gradients in stratospheric trace species columns from FTIR measurements.