Open AccessFactors influencing atmospheric composition over subarctic North America during summer
Author(s) -
Wofsy Steven C.,
Fan S.M.,
Blake D. R.,
Bradshaw J. D.,
Sandholm S. T.,
Singh H. B.,
Sachse G. W.,
Harriss R. C.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: atmospheres
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.67
H-Index - 298
eISSN - 2156-2202
pISSN - 0148-0227
DOI - 10.1029/93jd02256
Subject(s) - subarctic climate , environmental science , haze , trace gas , boreal , atmospheric sciences , northern hemisphere , atmospheric composition , pollution , biomass burning , environmental chemistry , climatology , atmosphere (unit) , oceanography , meteorology , geology , ecology , geography , chemistry , aerosol , paleontology , biology
Elevated concentrations of hydrocarbons, CO, and nitrogen oxides were observed in extensive haze layers over northeastern Canada in the summer of 1990, during ABLE 3B. Halocarbon concentrations remained near background in most layers, indicating a source from biomass wildfires. Elevated concentrations of C 2 Cl 4 provided a sensitive indicator for pollution from urban/industrial sources. Detailed analysis of regional budgets for CO and hydrocarbons indicates that biomass fires accounted for ≈ 70% of the input to the subarctic for most hydrocarbons and for acetone and more than 50% for CO. Regional sources for many species (including CO) exceeded chemical sinks during summer, and the boreal region provided a net source to midlatitudes. Interannual variations and long‐term trends in atmospheric composition are sensitive to climatic change; a shift to warmer, drier conditions could increase the areas burned and thus the sources of many trace gases.
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