Atmospheric aerosols in Amazonia: measured in long term, transport on large scale and effects on the atmospheric radioactive balance

• Grant number: 96/02672-9
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: July 01, 1996
• End date: June 30, 1998
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - General Physics
• Principal Investigator: Paulo Eduardo Artaxo Netto
• Grantee: Paulo Eduardo Artaxo Netto
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física (IF). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

We intend to operate for two years three continuous atmospheric monitoring stations in the Amazon basin, located in Cuiabá (Mato Grosso), Alta Floresta (Mato Grosso) and Serra do Navio (Amapá). We will operate two new monitoring stations of atmospheric aerossol in areas of primary tropical forest: to the north of Manaus and in Benjamim Constant, in Amazonia. These five stations will measure the total concentration of aerosols, concentration of graphitic carbon and around 22 elements (Na, Mg, AI, Si, P, S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Br, Sr, Rb, Zr, Pb) with the nuclear Particle Induced X-ray Emission (Pixe) analytical technique. Analyses of trace elements with High Resolution Inductively Coupled Plasma – Mass Spectrometry (HR ICP-MS) will also be carried out on the aerosol samples. Continuous measurements of optical attenuation by means of five solar photometers will also be carried out, for five different wavelengths. Models of atmospheric optical properties and the effect of the aerosol particles for the dry and rainy seasons will be developed. Model of large scale atmospheric transport for understanding of the mass flux of aerossol in the entire Amazon basin will be developed. Trajectories of air masses will be calculated for the whole year, with a view to understanding the seasonal variability of the transport processes on a large scale. The transport and the radioactive balance models will be coupled to measurements effected, so as to obtain a broader understanding of the role of atmospheric aerossol in diverse processes in the Amazon basin. (AU)