Characterization of the Role of Nitrogen Oxides in the Photochemistry of the North Atlantic Troposphere

美国东部是北大西洋地区臭氧和臭氧前体的主要来源。以前的研究表明，该地区的排放显著影响北大西洋西部的氮氧化物和碳氢化合物水平，最近的测量表明，美国东部产生的臭氧运输大大改变了温带北大西洋地区的臭氧收支。然而，人为排放对该地区光化学的总体影响目前知之甚少。一个主要原因是缺乏关于北大西洋中部和东部地区氮氧化物（NO + NO2）和总活性氮水平的信息，这导致了人类排放对区域臭氧收支的最终命运和影响的不确定性。该项目旨在通过在亚速尔群岛的一个地点测量NO和NOy（总活性氮氧化物）来解决这个问题。该地点非常适合观测从北美东部运输而来的陈旧排放物，并适当地与欧洲的影响隔绝。测量将与目前计划的CO（碳）和O3（臭氧）监测计划一起进行，并将与其他测量计划一起进行，以评估季节变化。所得数据将用于量化北大西洋对流层中对氮氧化物和臭氧水平的人为影响。

The eastern U.S. is a major source of ozone and ozone precursors to the North Atlantic region. Previous studies have shown that emissions from this region significantly affect levels of NOx and hydrocarbons over the Western North Atlantic Ocean, and recent measurements indicate that transport of ozone produced over the eastern U.S substantially alters the ozone budget of the temperate North Atlantic region. However the total impact of anthropogenic emissions on the photochemistry of this region is currently poorly understood. A primary reason is a paucity of information on NOx (NO + NO2) and total reactive nitrogen levels over the central and eastern North Atlantic, which results in uncertainty as to the ultimate fate and impact of anthropogenic emissions on the regional ozone budget. This project seeks to address this problem through measurements of NO and NOy (total reactive nitrogen oxides) at a site in the Azores. The location is ideal for observation of aged emissions transported from eastern North America and is suitably isolated from European impacts. Measurements would be made in conjunction with a currently-planned CO (carbon) and O3 (ozone) monitoring program, and would take place in concert with the other measurement programs in order to assess seasonal variations. The resulting data would be used to quantify anthropogenic impacts on NOx and ozone levels in the North Atlantic troposphere.