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Profiles of nitric oxide in the upper stratosphere
Author(s) -
Kondo Y.,
Iwata A.,
Aimedieu P.,
Matthews W. A.,
Sheldon W. R.,
Benbrook J. R.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/gl016i012p01379
Subject(s) - stratosphere , altitude (triangle) , morning , atmospheric sciences , ozone , descent (aeronautics) , environmental science , mixing ratio , daytime , meteorology , climatology , geology , physics , geometry , mathematics , astronomy
Data from a chemiluminescent NO detector, and an in situ ozone instrument are presented. The measurements were made on September 17, 1987 and on June 18, 1988 aboard high altitude balloons launched from the French CNES Balloon Launching Center at Aire sur l'Adour (44°N, 0°W) and from Gap (44.5°N, 6°E). The NO measurements above 32 km are more accurate than previous determinations due to a more precise regulation of the sample flow rate at pressures down to 2 mb, with a reduced ozone/oxygen flow rate. NO profiles between 25 and 40 km were obtained during a period of slow descent in the late morning of September 17, 1987 and in the early afternoon of June 18, 1988. The two NO profiles obtained between 35 and 40 km differ by less than 10%. The average NO concentration was 9 ppbv at 35 km, increasing with altitude to 11.5 ppbv at 40 km. Below 34 km, the NO concentration in September was 20 to 35% larger than that in June. The difference in the temperature profile significantly contributes to the observed change in the NO concentration through the change in the [NO]/[NO x ] ratio. These measurements provide an accurate determination of the daytime mid‐latitude NO concentration in the upper stratosphere in summer and autumn.