Aircraft measurements of tracer correlations in the Arctic subvortex region during the Polar Stratospheric Aerosol Experiment (POLSTAR)

Kurzfassung

Total reactive nitrogen (NOy ), ozone (O₃), the tracer nitrous oxide (N₂O), and carbon monoxide (CO) were measured in situ as part of the Polar Stratosphere Aerosol Experiment (POLSTAR 1 and 2). In total, 14 missions were performed in January and February 1997 and 1998 in the Arctic subvortex region, by using the Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt research aircraft Falcon. During the two campaigns, no signatures of nitrification events in the lowermost stratosphere, due to sedimentation and evaporation of aerosol particles containing HNO₃, were found. Compact correlations were observed between NO y and O₃, between NOy and N₂O, and between O3 and N2O. Mean NOy /O₃ ratios observed in the lowermost Arctic stratosphere in 1997 and 1998 were 0.0046 and 0.0030, respectively. During POLSTAR 1, NOy-N₂O and O₃-N₂O slopes compare quite well with results of previous measurements in the lowermost stratosphere. However, indications for a nonstratospheric NOy source, possibly aircraft emissions, were found. During POLSTAR 2, inferred NOy-N₂O and O₃-N₂O slopes were significantly lower than those previously observed in this region. This might indicate transport from lower latitudes to the Arctic subvortex region.