Smoking rain clouds over the Amazon

Heavy smoke from forest fires in the Amazon was observed to reduce cloud droplet size and so delay the onset of precipitation from 1.5 kilometers above cloud base in pristine clouds to more than 5 kilometers in polluted clouds and more than 7 kilometers in pyro-clouds. Suppression of low-level rainout and aerosol washout allows transport of water and smoke to upper levels, where the clouds appear "smoking" as they detrain much of the pollution. Elevating the onset of precipitation allows invigoration of the updrafts, causing intense thunderstorms, large hail, and greater likelihood for overshooting cloud tops into the stratosphere. There, detrained pollutants and water vapor would have profound radiative impacts on the climate system. The invigorated storms release the latent heat higher in the atmosphere. This should substantially affect the regional and global circulation systems. Together, these processes affect the water cycle, the pollution burden of the atmosphere, and the dynamics of atmospheric circulation.     

Atmosphere and ionosphere of venus from the mariner v s-band radio occultation measurement

Measurements of the frequency, phase, and amplitude of the S-band radio signal of Mariner V as it passed behind Venus were used to obtain the effects of refraction in its atmosphere and ionosphere. Profiles of refractivity, temperature, pressure, and density in the neutral atmosphere, as well as electron density in the daytime ionosphere, are presented. A constant scale height was observed above the tropopause, and the temperature increased with an approximately linear lapse rate below the tropopause to the level at which signal was lost, presumably because heavy defocusing attenuation occurred as critical refraction was approached. An ionosphere having at least two maxima was observed at only 85 kilometers above the tropopause.     

Tropopause detection by partial specular reflection with very-high-frequency radar

The tropopause can be detected and its altitude determined routinely with the use of meter-wavelength, very-high-frequency radar. At meter wavelengths and at vertical incidence, the tropopause is revealed by partial specular reflection from stable atmospheric layers. The echoes received at vertical incidence as a result of partial specular reflection are greatly enhanced over echoes received at oblique incidence arising from turbulent scatter. Very-high-frequency radars utilizing partial specular reflection promise a major advance in the remote sensing of the atmosphere.     

Airborne studies of the smoke from the kuwait oil fires

Airborne studies of smoke from the Kuwait oil fires were carried out in the spring of 1991 when approximately 4.6 million barrels of oil were burning per day. Emissions of sulfur dioxide were approximately 57% of that from electric utilities in the United States; emissions of carbon dioxide were approximately 2% of global emissions; emissions of soot were approximately 3400 metric tons per day. The smoke absorbed approximately 75 to 80% of the sun's radiation in regions of the Persian Gulf. However, the smoke probably had insignificant global effects because (i) particle emissions were less than expected, (ii) the smoke was not as black as expected, (iii) the smoke was not carried high in the atmosphere, and (iv) the smoke had a short atmospheric residence time.     

Atmosphere of Mars: Mariner IV Models Compared

Three classes of models for the atmosphere of Mars differ in identifying the main ionospheric layer measured by Mariner IV as being analogous to a terrestrial F(2), F(1), or E layer. At an altitude of several hundred kilometers, the relative atmospheric mass densities for these models (in the order named) are approximately 1, 10(2), and 10(4), and the temperatures are roughly 100 degrees , 200 degrees , and 400 degrees K. Theory and observation are in best agreement for an F, s model, for which photodissociation of CO(2), and diffusive separation result in an atomic-oxygen upper atmosphere, with O(+) being the principal ion in the isothermal topside of the ionosphere. The mesopause temperature minimum would be at or below the freezing point of CO(2), and dry ice particles would be expected to form. However, an F(1) model, with molecular ions in a mixed and warmer upper atmosphere, might result if photodissociation and diffusive separation are markedly less than would be expected from analogy with Earth's upper atmosphere. The E model proposed by Chamberlain and McElroy appears very unlikely; it is not compatible with the measured ionization profile unless rather unlikely assumptions are made about the values, and changes with height, of the effective recombination coefficient and the average ion mass. Moreover our theoretical heat-budget computations for the atmospheric region probed by Mariner IV indicate markedly lower temperatures and temperature gradients than were obtained for the E model.     

Voyager 2 radio science observations of the uranian system: atmosphere, rings, and satellites

Voyager 2 radio occultation measurements of the Uranian atmosphere were obtained between 2 and 7 degrees south latitude. Initial atmospheric temperature profiles extend from pressures of 10 to 900 millibars over a height range of about 100 kilometers. Comparison of radio and infrared results yields mole fractions near the tropopause of 0.85 and 0.15 +/- 0.05 for molecular hydrogen and helium, respectively, if no other components are present; for this composition the tropopause is at about 52 kelvins and 110 millibars. Distinctive features in the signal intensity measurements for pressures above 900 millibars strongly favor model atmospheres that include a cloud deck of methane ice. Modeling of the intensity measurements for the cloud region and below indicates that the cloud base is near 1,300 millibars and 81 kelvins and yields an initial methane mole fraction of about 0.02 for the deep atmosphere. Scintillations in signal intensity indicate small-scale stucture throughout the stratosphere and upper troposphere. As judged from data obtained during occultation ingress, the ionosphere consists of a multilayer structure that includes two distinct layers at 2,000 and 3,500 kilometers above the 100-millibar level and an extended topside that may reach altitudes of 10,000 kilometers or more. Occultation measurements of the nine previously known rings at wavelengths of 3.6 and 13 centimeters show characteristic values of optical depth between about 0.8 and 8; the maxim value occurs in the outer region of the in ring, near its periapsis. Forward-scattered signals from this ring have properties that differ from those of any of Saturn's rings, and they are inconsistent with a discrete scattering object or local (three-dimensional) assemblies of orbiting objects. These signals suggest a new kdnd of planetary ring feature characterized by highly ordered cylindrical substructures of radial scale on the order of meters and azimuthal scale of kilometers or more. From radio data alone the mass of the Uranian system is GM(sys) = 5,794,547- 60 cubic kilometers per square second; from a combination of radio and optical navigation data the mass of Uranus alone is GM(u) = 5,793,939+/- 60 cubic kilometers per square second. From all available Voyager data, induding imaging radii, the mean uncompressed density of the five major satellites is 1.40+/- 0.07 grams per cubic centimeter; this value is consistent with a solar mix of material and apparently rules out a cometary origin of the satellites.     

Measurement of the effect of Amazon smoke on inhibition of cloud formation

Urban air pollution and smoke from fires have been modeled to reduce cloud formation by absorbing sunlight, thereby cooling the surface and heating the atmosphere. Satellite data over the Amazon region during the biomass burning season showed that scattered cumulus cloud cover was reduced from 38%in clean conditions to 0%for heavy smoke (optical depth of 1.3). This response to the smoke radiative effect reverses the regional smoke instantaneous forcing of climate from -28 watts per square meter in cloud-free conditions to +8 watts per square meter once the reduction of cloud cover is accounted for.     

Long-Term Mean Vertical Motion over the Tropical Pacific: Wind-Profiling Doppler Radar Measurements

Measurement from Christmas Island (2 degrees N, 157 degrees W) of long-term mean vertical motions in the tropical atmosphere using very-high-frequency wind-profiling Doppler radar show that there is a transition from downward motion in the free troposphere to upward motion in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere. The observations in the free troposphere are consistent with a balance between adiabatic and diabatic heating and cooling rates in a clear atmosphere. Comparison of the results at Christmas Island during El Ni?o and non-El Ni?o conditions with earlier results obtained for stratiform rain conditions over Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia, show that cirrus clouds in the vicinity of the tropopause likely play an important role in determining the sense and magnitude of vertical motions in this region. These results have implications for the exchange of mass between the troposphere and stratosphere over the tropics.     

Carbon monoxide: residence time in the atmosphere

A lower limit of 0.1 year for the residence time of carbon monIoxide in the atmosphere is derived from radiocarbon measurements. The action of certain microorganisms and atmospheric photochemical reactions are possible mechanisms for the removal of carbon monoxide. This value can be compared with 2.7 years, a value deduced from estimated rates of carbon monoxide production and global measurements of atmospheric concentrations of carbon monoxide.     

Seawater strontium isotopes, Acid rain, and the cretaceous-tertiary boundary

A large bolide impact at the end of the Cretaceous would have produced significant amounts of nitrogen oxides by shock heating of the atmosphere. The resulting acid precipitation would have increased continental weathering greatly and could be an explanation for the observed high ratio of strontium-87 to strontium-86 in seawater at about this time, due to the dissolution of large amounts of strontium from the continental crust. Spikes to high values in the seawater strontium isotope record at other times may reflect similar episodes.     

大气污染物SO2扩散模式的建立及应用

对几种常用大气污染物扩散模式进行分析，确定了合适的大气扩散场参数，建立了适用于郑州市区的大气污染物SO2扩散模式。此模式应用于市区重点污染源典型月所排SO2扩散的浓度计算，与监测结果进行对比分析，结果表明，在采暖期和非采暖期两个典型月的相关系数分别为0.727和0.713，达到显著水平。     

Microwave measurements of carbon monoxide on titan

The ratio of the flux density of Titan was measured in two 200-megahertz bands, one centered on the (1-0) rotation line of carbon monoxide at 115.3 gigahertz and the other 2600 megahertz lower. The measurements were made with a complex-correlation technique on the new millimeter-wavelength interferometer at the Owens Valley Radio Observatory, Big Pine, California. The excess flux in the carbon monoxide band is interpreted as a strong detection of carbon monoxide and a mixing ratio, assumed constant, of 6 x 10(-5). The brightness temperature of Titan at 112.6 gigahertz is 69 +/- 10 kelvins, consistent with atmospheric emission from just below the tropopause.     

Satellite estimates of precipitation-induced dissipation in the atmosphere

A substantial amount of frictional dissipation in the atmosphere occurs in the microphysical shear zones surrounding falling precipitation. The dissipation rate is computed here from recently available satellite retrieval from the Tropical Rainfall Measurement Missions and is found to average 1.8 watts per square meter between 30°S and 30°N. The geographical distribution of the precipitation-induced dissipation is closely tied to that of precipitation but also reveals a stronger dissipation rate for continental convection than for maritime convection. Because the precipitation-induced dissipation is of the same magnitude as the turbulent dissipation of the kinetic energy in the atmosphere, changes in the hydrological cycle could potentially have a direct impact on the amount of kinetic energy generated and dissipated by the atmospheric circulation.     

冬季供暖对沈阳市各功能区4种大气污染物浓度的影响

[目的]研究冬季供暖对沈阳市不同功能区4种大气污染物浓度的影响。[方法]根据沈阳市2013年全年11个监测点位的PM10、PM2.5、SO2、NO2实时监测数据,分析4种污染物浓度的月变化规律,并应用主成分分析方法对供暖期和非供暖期该市6类功能区4种污染物对各功能区的影响进行分析。[结果]污染物PM10、PM2.5、SO2的浓度受供暖影响月变化明显,NO2的浓度受供暖及降水的双重影响月变化规律与其他3种污染物有较大不同;供暖期工业区各类污染物浓度最高,商业交通居民混合区供暖期和非供暖期各类污染物浓度均较高,供暖期农村和风景名胜区较其他点位污染物浓度最低;农村、商业交通居民混合区点位NO2浓度最高。[结论]该研究可为进一步调控与治理沈阳市大气污染提供理论支撑。     

Large-scale nitrogen oxide plumes in the tropopause region and implications for ozone

Continuous measurements of nitrogen oxide and ozone were performed from a commercial airliner during 1 year at cruising altitudes below and above the tropopause. The upper tropospheric nitrogen oxides distribution was found to be strongly influenced by large-scale plumes extending about 100 to 1300 kilometers along the flight track. The plumes were frequently observed downwind of thunderstorms and frontal systems, which most probably caused upward transport of polluted air from the continental boundary layer or nitrogen oxide production in lightning strokes, or both. Particularly in summer, average ozone concentrations in the plumes were enhanced compared to the tropospheric background levels.     

Structure of the Atmosphere of Venus up to 110 Kilometers: Preliminary Results from the Four Pioneer Venus Entry Probes

The four Pioneer Venus entry probes transmitted data of good quality on the structure of the atmosphere below the clouds. Contrast of the structure below an altitude of 50 kilometers at four widely separated locations was found to be no more than a few degrees Kelvin, with slightly warmer temperatures at 30 degrees south latitude than at 5 degrees or 60 degrees north. The atmosphere was stably stratified above 15 or 20 kilometers, indicating that the near-adiabatic state is maintained by the general circulation. The profiles move from near-adiabatic toward radiative equilibrium at altitudes above 40 kilometers. There appears to be a region of vertical convection above the dense cloud deck, which lies at 47.5 to 49 kilometers and at temperature levels near 360 K. The atmosphere is nearly isothermal around 100 kilometers (175 to 180 K) and appears to exhibit a sizable temperature wave between 60 and 70 kilometers. This is where the 4-day wind is believed to occur. The temperature wave may be related to some of the wavelike phenomena seen in Mariner 10 ultraviolet photographs.     

四川盆地夏季区域性极端降水事件特征及其成因

利用四川盆地1981-2015年夏季102个气象台站逐日降水资料, NCEP/NCAR逐日再分析资料,分析了四川盆地区域性降水及极端降水事件的时空特征,对极端降水事件发生的环流场进行合成分析,讨论其环流异常特征.研究表明:近35年四川盆地总降水量及夏季降水量时空变化特征较为一致;盆地夏季区域性极端日降水量的99%分位阈值为40.5 mm/d, 2005年开始极端日降水事件明显增多,区域性极端降水事件多发于7月下旬以及8月中旬;极端日降水事件呈现低层辐合、高层辐散的环流结构;端日降水事件的形成与四川盆地的大气净加热以及周边大范围地区的净冷却形成的加热场异常梯度有关.     

衡水市空气污染特征与气象条件分析

利用2005~2006年衡水3个环境监测点的逐日逐时监测资料对衡水市的空气质量进行了分析。结果表明,衡水市可吸入颗粒物(PM10)为首要污染物的天数基本在300 d以上;二氧化硫(SO2)为主要污染物的天数为40~88 d。在观测时段内未出现二氧化氮(NO2)为首要污染物的情况。衡水空气质量多为良,二级以上天数在300 d以上。污染物浓度白天段要高于夜间段。污染物浓度具有明显的季节变化,冬半年到夏半年污染物浓度逐渐降低,从夏半年到冬半年污染物浓度逐渐升高。大雾及冬季燃煤取暖对空气污染具有正贡献;降水对降低空气中PM10的浓度有积极的作用,大的降水后空气质量维持优的时间较长,反之,空气质量达到优的持续时间较短。空气温度以及低层的空气湿度对污染物浓度有很大的影响。     

Structure of Mars' Atmosphere up to 100 Kilometers from the Entry Measurements of Viking 2

The Viking 2 entry science data on the structure of Mars' atmosphere up to 100 kilometers define a morning atmosphere with an isothermal region near the surface; a surface pressure 10 percent greater than that recorded simultaneously at the Viking 1 site, which implies a landing site elevation lower by 2.7 kilometers than the reference ellipsoid; and a thermal structure to 100 kilometers at least qualitatively consistent with pre-Viking modeling of thermal tides. The temperature profile exhibits waves whose amplitude grows with altitude, to approximately 25 degrees K at 90 kilometers. These waves are believed to be a consequence of layered vertical oscillations and associated heating and cooling by compression and expansion, excited by the daily thermal cycling of the planet surface. As is necessary for gravity wave propagation, the atmosphere is stable against convection, except possibly in some very local regions. Temperature is everywhere appreciably above the carbon dioxide condensation boundary at both landing sites, precluding the occurrence of carbon dioxide hazes in northern summer at latitudes to at least 50 degrees N. Thus, ground level mists seen in these latitudes would appear to be condensed water vapor.     

乌鲁木齐大气污染现状及影响因素分析

对乌鲁木齐市1999-2008年空气污染物监测数据分析表明,乌鲁木齐主要污染物中可吸入颗粒物(PM10)、SO2和NO2,其浓度均表现为采暖期大于非采暖期,采暖期日平均PM10值为国家二级标准日平均浓度的1.74倍,SO2为1.45倍,NO2最低,且采暖期与非采暖期均处于达标状态。污染最严重的季节是冬季,重度污染天气1月最多为7.5 d,其次为12月5.3 d。城区南部污染重于北部和中部。乌鲁木齐大气污染的原因,主要有地形因素造成冬季风速小、温度低、逆温层厚、空气稳定性强。冬季漫长,供暖、供热、供电系统耗能多,排放污染物数量大,城市布局不合理,供暖、供热、供电系统距城市中心太近、城市中心区域人口密度大、交通拥挤污染程度重。