Ground-based Observations and Theoretical Studies of the Vertical Column Abundance of Atmospheric Hydroxyl

用于预测人类活动对平流层臭氧影响的理论大气化学模式依赖于高层大气中活性化学物质的测量。自由基OH是一种重要的化学活性瞬态物质，被认为控制40 km以上的臭氧浓度，并对影响25 km左右高度主要臭氧水平的奇氮和奇氯物质的分配有很强的影响。利用PEPSIOS （Poly ettalcon Pressure扫描干涉光谱仪）系统对OH柱丰度进行地基观测，提供了一种相对廉价的获取OH水平波动信息的方法。自1977年以来，在以前的NSF资助下，首席研究员在科罗拉多州的弗里茨峰天文台成功地进行了PEPSIOS测量计划，最近在佛罗里达州的博卡拉顿，阿拉斯加费尔班克斯附近的Poker Flat研究范围，以及密克罗尼西亚的特鲁克岛。这项研究是由一位科学家进行的，他通常被认为是大气化学研究领域的先驱。他关于平流层羟基自由基浓度时空变化的研究论文广受好评，并为平流层和中间层化学的几个方面提供了重要的信息。这项持续的研究将包括对热带地区中层大气羟基自由基的持续研究，以及弗里茨峰天文台对该物种的测量。

Theoretical atmospheric chemistry models used to predict the effects of human activities on stratospheric ozone are dependent on measurement of reactive chemical species in the upper atmosphere. The radical OH is an important chemically active transient species that is believed to control the concentration of ozone above 40 km, and to have a strong influence on the partitioning of odd-nitrogen and odd-chlorine species that affect the main ozone level at about 25 km altitude. A relatively inexpensive method of gaining information about fluctuations in OH levels is provided by ground-based observations of the column abundance of OH by the PEPSIOS (Poly Etalcon Pressure Scanned Interferometric Spectrometer) system. Under previous NSF grants the principal investigator has carried on a successful program of PEPSIOS measurements at the Fritz Peak Observatory in Colorado Since 1977, and more recently for Boca Raton, Florida, the Poker Flat Research Range near Fairbanks, Alaska, and at Truk Island in Micronesia. This research is being done by a scientist who is generally recognized as a pioneer in this area of atmospheric chemistry research. His research papers on the spatial and temporal variations in the stratospheric hydroxyl radical concentrations are widely acclaimed and have provided important information about several aspects of the chemistry of the stratosphere and mesosphere. This continuation research will include continued studies of the middle atmosphere hydroxyl radical in the tropics as well as the measurement of this species from the Fritz Peak Observatory.