Air chemistry and meteorology

The objective of this research, both in Antarctica and during the trans-Pacific aircraft deployment operation, was to conduct a program of air chemistry studies related to meteorological exchange processes in the troposphere and lower stratosphere, especially in Antarctica. The atmospheric samples were collected by using the National Science Foundations LC-130(A/C 131) and McMurdo-based helicopters. The second season of a two-season field program of helicopter vertical profiling has now been completed. Analyses have included study of the halocarbons F-11 (CFCl sub(3) ), F-12 (CF sub(2) Cl sub(2) ), methyl chloroform (CH sub(3) CCl sub(3) ), and carbon tetrachloride (CCl sub(4) ); nitrous oxide (N sub(2) O); the C sub(2) hydrocarbons ethane, ethylene, and acetylene; and carbon dioxide (CO sub(2) ). The 1981 data have not yet been interpreted; however, the 1981 helicopter flight profiles are expected to increase the size of the database for statistical use in classifying the different concentration profile types according to the synoptic weather situations. The authors discuss some results of the 1980 helicopter vertical profiling which are supported by preliminary review of the 1981 data set.