The Study of the Atmospheric Effects of the Kuwait Oil Fires

波斯湾的局势为评估大规模化石燃料火灾对大气的影响提供了一个独特的机会。特别是，对云和降水过程、辐射和大气化学影响的测量将提供可用于云物理、气候、全球变化和空气污染研究的数据。美国国家大气研究中心(NCAR)和华盛顿大学与大学和联邦科学家共同制定了一项计划，在5月和6月的四周时间里，由一到两架飞机进行初步的密集观测项目。该计划的科学目标是：o描述火灾的区域排放率。O测量烟雾的辐射特性，以及羽流的净辐射效应。O测量烟雾颗粒的特性，并确定颗粒是否具有吸湿性。O确定烟雾对云的组成和辐射特性的影响。O测量羽流的化学成分，并确定该成分如何随时间变化。O研究与这些黑烟排放有关的区域天气异常。拟议的观测设备将包括华盛顿大学康威尔C-131a和/或NCAR Electra。除了联邦政府对这一努力的支持外，国家地理学会主席吉尔伯特·格罗夫纳还联系了NSF，为这一项目提供了一些支持。

The Persian Gulf situation presents a unique opportunity to assess the impact of massive fossil fuel fires on the atmosphere. In particular, measurements of the effects on cloud and precipitation processes, radiation, and atmospheric chemistry would provide data that could be used in cloud physics, climate, global change, and air pollution research. The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and the University of Washington have developed a plan, with university and Federal scientists, to mount an initial intensive observational program by one or two aircraft during a four-week period in May and June. The scientific objectives of the program are: o To characterize the regional emission rates of the fires. o To measure radiative properties of the smoke, and the net radiative effects of the plumes. o To measure characteristics of the smoke particles and determine if the particles have a hygroscopic component. o To determine the effects of the smoke on the composition and radiative properties of clouds. o To measure the chemical composition of the plume and determine how that composition changes with time. o To study regional weather anomalies associated with these smoke emissions. The proposed observational equipment will include the University of Washington Convair C-131A and/or NCAR Electra. In addition to Federal support for this effort, Gilbert Grosvenor, President of the National Geographic Society, has contacted NSF to provide some support for this project.