Vertical structure of aerosols and their variations observed by balloon probes

• Grant number: 03/06992-3
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: November 01, 2003
• End date: October 31, 2004
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences - Geophysics
• Principal Investigator: Volker Walter Johann Heinrich Kirchhoff
• Grantee: Volker Walter Johann Heinrich Kirchhoff
• Host Institution: Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais (INPE). Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação (Brasil). São José dos Campos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The Inpe Ozone Laboratory has dedicated itself to the launching of balloons with ozone probes since 1978 (Logan and Kirchhoff, 1996; Kirchhoff et al., 1991; Oltmans et al., 2001; Thompson et al.,2003) from Natal, Rio Grande do Norte (RN), and more recently from Maxaranguape (RN). We now have an opportunity to extend these measurements to include the observation of aerosols in relation to altitude, which would be a significant addition to current measurements. By means of an agreement, we already have the probes to measure aerosols and the surface equipment for the reception of the signals from the probes.We just need the ozone probe to couple this together.We propose to carry out monthly launches from Monte Alegre, a small city in Rio Grande do Norte, where the winds are sufficiently weak not to interfere with the work of launching the balloons. A preliminary launch already carried out demonstrated the potential of the project.We obtained not only the vertical profile we were looking for, but also layers with an excess of scattering and excess of ozone, showing a correlation between the two parameters. The period of duration will be 12 months, to test the possibility of a seasonal variation. (AU)