Abstract
tants, offering numerous advantages over conventional networks of in situ analysers. We propose some innovative solutions in the field of DOAS (Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy) remote systems, utilizing diffuse solar light as the radiation source. We examine the numerous potentialities of minor gas slant column calculations, applying the «off-axis» methodology for collecting the diffuse solar radiation. One of these particular approaches, using measurements along horizontal paths, has already been tested with the spectrometer installed on board the Geophysica aircraft during stratospheric flights up to altitudes of 20 km. The theoretical basis of these new measurement techniques using DOAS remote sensing systems are delineated to assess whether low altitude flights can provide 2D and 3D pollution tomography over metropolitan areas. The 2D or 3D trace gas total column mapping could be used to investigate: i) transport and dispersion phenomena of air pollution, ii) photochemical process rates, iii) gas plume tomography, iv) minor gas vertical profiles into the Planetary Boundary Layer and v) minor gas flux divergence over a large area.
Highlights
The growth in human activity over the last century has led to an enormous increase in en-In metropolitan areas wide-gridded networks of in situ analysers are normally used for the continuous recording of gas pollutant concentrations
Optical Absorption Spectroscopy) remote sensors open up new perspectives in the field of pollutant analysis and control such as, for example, the monitoring of a large number of gases simultaneously with a single instrument and a better characterisation of the area examined through the integration of gas concentrations over the entire optical path of the measurements
Over the past few decades diffusion and chemical modeling techniques have been developed which allow calculation of 3D trace gas distributions with a spatial resolution of less than 1000 m and the detailed control of air quality in urban and industrial areas has become a fundamental aim for keeping environmental health within acceptable limits
Summary
The growth in human activity over the last century has led to an enormous increase in en-. Optical Absorption Spectroscopy) remote sensors open up new perspectives in the field of pollutant analysis and control such as, for example, the monitoring of a large number of gases simultaneously with a single instrument and a better characterisation of the area examined through the integration of gas concentrations over the entire optical path of the measurements. In the field of air quality control and monitoring, one of the current, most important problems is how to measure the three-dimensional distributions of airborne pollutants in the lower atmospheric layers within the Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL) over urban and industrial areas, and in a systematic way. Over the past few decades diffusion and chemical modeling techniques have been developed which allow calculation of 3D trace gas distributions with a spatial resolution of less than 1000 m and the detailed control of air quality in urban and industrial areas has become a fundamental aim for keeping environmental health within acceptable limits (von Kuhlmann et al, 2003). By flying at an altitude between 2000 and 4000 m, it will be possible to measure the vertical distribution of gaseous pollutants, such as NO2, SO2, O3, HNO2, benzene, formaldehyde, toluene and xylene within the PBL
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