This project is an analysis of trace gases in the arctic atmosphere with the goal of defining the sources of the anthropogenic components in atmospheric pollution episodes that have become known as Arctic Haze, and to determine the nature and sources of precursors of arctic haze. Air samples, taken from a NOAA WP-3 aircraft operating over the Arctic Ocean in the Spring of 1989, will be analyzed for the concentrations of about 30 trace gases. These will include chlorofluorocarbons, bromine- containing gases, light hydrocarbons, nitrous oxide, and carbon monoxide and dioxide. When supplemented with meteorological measurements and supporting data obtained in the major field experiment of which this project is a part, source regions and tajectories can be identified, and when compared to similar observations on previous field experiments, it will be possible to assess the interannual variability in the anthropogenic sources that influence the atmospheric chemistry of the high arctic.
