Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-131
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-131
09 Feb 2023
 | 09 Feb 2023
Status: this preprint is open for discussion and under review for Atmospheric Measurement Techniques (AMT).

A novel, cost-effective analytical method for measuring high-resolution vertical profiles of stratospheric trace gases using a GC-ECD

Jianghanyang Li, Bianca C. Baier, Fred Moore, Tim Newberger, Sonja Wolter, Jack Higgs, Geoff Dutton, Eric Hintsa, Bradley Hall, and Colm Sweeney

Abstract. The radiative balance of the upper atmosphere is dependent on the magnitude and distribution of greenhouse gases and aerosols in that region of the atmosphere. Climate models predict that with increasing surface temperature, the primary mechanism for transporting tropospheric air into the stratosphere (known as the Brewer-Dobson Circulation) will strengthen, leading to changes in the distribution of atmospheric water vapor, other greenhouse gases, and aerosols in this region. Stratospheric relationships between greenhouse gases and other long-lived trace gases with various photochemical properties (such as N2O, SF6, and chlorofluorocarbons) provide a strong constraint for tracking changes in the stratospheric circulation. Therefore, a cost-effective approach is needed to monitor these trace gases in the stratosphere. In the past decade, the balloon-borne AirCore sampler developed at NOAA/GML has been routinely used to monitor the mole fractions of CO2, CH4, and CO from ground to approximately 25 km above mean sea level. Our recent development work adapted a gas chromatograph coupled with an electron capture detector (GC-ECD) to measure a suite of trace gases (N2O, SF6, CFC-11, CFC-12, H-1211, and CFC-113) in the stratospheric portion of AirCores. This instrument, called the StratoCore-GC-ECD, allows us to retrieve vertical profiles of these molecules at high resolution (5–7 hPa per measurement). We then launched four AirCore flights and analyzed the stratospheric air samples for these trace gases. The results showed consistent and expected tracer-tracer relationships and good agreement with recent aircraft campaign measurements. Our work demonstrates that the StratoCore-GC-ECD system provides a low-cost and robust approach to measuring key stratospheric trace gases in AirCore samples and for evaluating changes in the stratospheric circulation.

Jianghanyang Li et al.

Status: open (until 30 Mar 2023)

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Jianghanyang Li et al.

Data sets

Vertical profiles of stratospheric CFC-11, CFC-12, CFC-113, H-1211, N2O, SF6 mole fractions acquired from four AirCore flights in Eastern Colorado using StratoCore-GC-ECD Jianghanyang Li, Bianca C. Baier, Fred Moore, Tim Newberger, Sonja Wolter, Jack Higgs, Geoff Dutton, Eric Hintsa, Bradley Hall, and Colm Sweeney https://doi.org/10.15138/VA4C-CY20

Jianghanyang Li et al.

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Short summary
Monitoring a suite of trace gases in the stratosphere will help us better understand the stratospheric circulation and its impact to the Earth’s radiation balance. However, such measurements are rare and usually expensive. We developed an instrument that can measure stratospheric trace gases using a low-cost sampling platform (AirCore). The results showed expected agreement with aircraft measurements, demonstrating this technique provides a low-cost and robust way to observe the stratosphere.