Trend of lower stratospheric methane (CH4) from atmospheric chemistry experiment (ACE) and atmospheric trace molecule spectroscopy (ATMOS) measurements

The long-term trend of methane (CH₄) in the lower stratosphere has been estimated for the 1985-2008 time period by combining spaceborne solar occultation measurements recorded with high spectral resolution Fourier transform spectrometers (FTSs). Volume mixing ratio (VMR) FTS measurements from the ATMOS (atmospheric trace molecule spectroscopy) FTS covering 120-10 hPa (∼16-30 km altitude) at 25°N-35°N latitude from 1985 and 1994 have been combined with Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment (ACE) SCISAT-1 FTS measurements covering the same latitude and pressure range from 2004 to 2008. The CH₄ trend was estimated by referencing the VMRs to those measured for the long-lived constituent N₂O to account for the dynamic history of the sampled airmasses. The combined measurement set shows that the VMR increase measured by ATMOS has been replaced by a leveling off during the ACE measurement time period. Our conclusion is consistent with both remote sensing and in situ measurements of the CH₄ trend obtained over the same time span.     

The 2009 edition of the GEISA spectroscopic database

The updated 2009 edition of the spectroscopic database GEISA (Gestion et Etude des Informations Spectroscopiques Atmosphériques; Management and Study of Atmospheric Spectroscopic Information) is described in this paper. GEISA is a computer-accessible system comprising three independent sub-databases devoted, respectively, to: line parameters, infrared and ultraviolet/visible absorption cross-sections, microphysical and optical properties of atmospheric aerosols. In this edition, 50 molecules are involved in the line parameters sub-database, including 111 isotopologues, for a total of 3,807,997 entries, in the spectral range from 10⁻⁶ to 35,877.031 cm⁻¹.The successful performances of the new generation of hyperspectral sounders depend ultimately on the accuracy to which the spectroscopic parameters of the optically active atmospheric gases are known, since they constitute an essential input to the forward radiative transfer models that are used to interpret their observations. Currently, GEISA is involved in activities related to the assessment of the capabilities of IASI (Infrared Atmospheric Sounding Interferometer; http://smsc.cnes.fr/IASI/index.htm) on board the METOP European satellite through the GEISA/IASI database derived from GEISA. Since the Metop-A (http://www.eumetsat.int) launch (19 October 2006), GEISA is the reference spectroscopic database for the validation of the level-1 IASI data. Also, GEISA is involved in planetary research, i.e., modeling of Titan's atmosphere, in the comparison with observations performed by Voyager, or by ground-based telescopes, and by the instruments on board the Cassini-Huygens mission.GEISA, continuously developed and maintained at LMD (Laboratoire de Météorologie Dynamique, France) since 1976, is implemented on the IPSL/CNRS (France) “Ether” Products and Services Centre WEB site (http://ether.ipsl.jussieu.fr), where all archived spectroscopic data can be handled through general and user friendly associated management software facilities. More than 350 researchers are registered for on line use of GEISA.     

Double quantization of CP type orbits by generalized Verma modules

It is known that symmetric orbits in g^* for any simple Lie algebra g are equipped with a Poisson pencil generated by the Kirillov-Kostant-Souriau bracket and the reduced Sklyanin bracket associated to the “canonical” R-matrix. We realize quantization of the Poisson pencil CPⁿ type orbits (i.e. orbits in sl(n + 1)^* whose real compact form is CPⁿ) by means of q-deformed Verma modules.     

Spectroscopic detection of COClF in the tropical and mid-latitude lower stratosphere

We report retrievals of COClF (carbonyl chlorofluoride) based on atmospheric chemistry experiment (ACE) solar occultation spectra recorded at tropical and mid-latitudes during 2004-2005. The COClF molecule is a temporary reservoir of both chlorine and fluorine and has not been measured previously by remote sensing. A maximum COClF mixing ratio of (10^-12 per unit volume, 1 sigma) is measured at 28 km for tropical and subtropical occultations (latitudes below 20^° in both hemispheres) with lower mixing ratios at both higher and lower altitudes. Northern hemisphere mid-latitude mixing ratios (30-50°N) resulted in an average profile with a peak mixing ratio of , 1 sigma, at 27 km, also decreasing above and below that altitude. We compare the measured average profiles with the one reported set of in situ lower stratospheric mid-latitude measurements from 1986 and 1987, a previous two-dimensional (2-D) model calculation for 1987 and 1993, and a 2-D-model prediction for 2004. The measured average tropical profile is in close agreement with the model prediction; the northern mid-latitude profile is also consistent, although the peak in the measured profile occurs at a higher altitude (2.5-4.5 km offset) than in the model prediction. Seasonal average 2-D-model predictions of the COClF stratospheric distribution for 2004 are also reported.     

Decrease of the carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) loading above Jungfraujoch,based on high resolution infrared solar spectra recorded between 1999 and 2011

The long-term trend of the atmospheric carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) burden has been retrieved from high spectral resolution infrared solar absorption spectra recorded between January 1999 and June 2011. The observations were made with a Fourier transform spectrometer at the northern mid-latitude, high altitude Jungfraujoch station in Switzerland (46.5°N latitude, 8.0°E longitude, 3580 m altitude). Total columns were derived from spectrometric analysis of the strong CCl₄ ν₃ band at 794 cm^?1, accounting for all interfering molecules (e.g., H₂O, CO₂, O₃, and a dozen weakly absorbing gases). A significant improvement in the fitting residuals and in the retrieved CCl₄ columns was obtained by taking into account line mixing in a strong interfering CO₂ Q branch. This procedure had never been implemented in remote sensing CCl₄ retrievals though its importance was noted in earlier studies. A fit to the CCl₄ daily mean total column time series returns a statistically-significant long-term trend of (?1.49±0.08×10¹³ mol/cm²)/yr, 2?σ. This corresponds to an annual decrease of (?1.31±0.07) pptv for the mean free tropospheric volume mixing ratio. Furthermore, the total column data set reveals a weak seasonal cycle with a peak-to-peak amplitude of 4.5%, with minimum and maximum values occurring in mid-February and mid-September, respectively. This small seasonal modulation is attributed primarily to the residual influence of tropopause height changes throughout the year. The negative trend of the CCl₄ loading reflects the continued impact of the regulations implemented by the Montreal Protocol and its strengthening amendments and adjustments. Despite this statistically significant decrease, the CCl₄ molecule currently remains an important contributor to the atmospheric chlorine budget, and thus deserves further monitoring, to ensure continued compliance with these strengthenings, globally. Our present findings are briefly discussed with respect to recent relevant CCl₄ investigations at the ground and from space.     

Absolute line intensity measurements in the ν2 bands of HDO and D2O using a tunable diode laser spectrometer

Absolute line intensities for several individual vibration-rotation transitions in the ν₂ bands of HDO and D₂O have been determined at room temperature from laboratory spectra recorded with a tunable diode laser spectrometer. Two tunable semiconductor diode lasers operating in the 1250- to 1350- and 1060- to 1140-cm⁻¹ spectral regions have been used in the recording of the data. Comparisons are made with previously published results where appropriate.     

Spectrum of 13C16O2 at 2.8 μm

A theoretical model for the rovibrational analysis of clustered vibrational states for tetrahedral molecules is presented. The results of a comprehensive study of the five bands ν₁, ν₃, 2ν₂, ν₂ + ν₄, and 2ν₄ of ¹²CH₄ are reported. The Hamiltonian has been developed to the third order in the Amat-Nielsen classification. Twenty-two parameters related to the ground state and the dyad $\text{ν}{}_2\text{ν}{}_4$ have been transferred unchanged and 52 new parameters have been adjusted to fit experimental data, mainly interferometric ir data in the region 2250–3250 cm^?1. The analysis has been realized through J′ = 18 involving 1919 observed upper-state energies. The overall standard deviation of the fit is 0.022 cm^?1. A prediction of upper-state energies for the five bands has been carried out through J′ = 20. The model reproduces qualitatively and quantitatively the rotational fine structure of the upper levels in the full range of J′ values including level crossings (J′ ≥ 12), for the first time. The problem of higher excited vibrational states in methane is briefly discussed.     

Tunable diode laser measurements of N2- and air-broadened halfwidths: Lines in the (ν4 + ν5)0 band of 12C2H2 near 7.4 μm

Nitrogen- and air-broadened Lorentz halfwidths have been determined for 29 lines in the P and R branches of the (ν₄ + ν₅)⁰ combination band of ¹²C₂H₂ using a tunable diode laser spectrometer. Two tunable diode lasers operating in the region 1250–1380 cm^?1 were used in recording the data. For nitrogen broadening, the measured halfwidths at 296 K decrease from about 0.11 cm^?1 atm^?1 at |m| = 1 to about 0.05 cm^?1 atm^?1 at |m| = 30, where m = J″ + 1 for R-branch lines, m = ?J″ for P-branch lines, and J″ is the lower state rotational quantum number. On the average, the air-broadened halfwidths are 97% of the N₂-broadened halfwidths.