Vertical profiling using a complementary kite and tethered balloon platform at Ferryland Downs, Newfoundland, Canada: Observation of a dry, ozone‐rich plume in the free troposphere

Abstract

Vertical profiles of ozone mixing ratio, water vapor mixing ratio, and temperature obtained during August 3–13, 1995, at Ferryland Downs, Newfoundland, Canada, as part of the North Atlantic Regional Experiment (NARE) demonstrate the use of high‐altitude tethered balloons and kites as measurement platforms. In combination with a novel, fast winching system, previously developed for use with kites, tethered balloons were used for profiling chemical species and meteorological parameters to altitudes as high as 7.6 km. Tethered balloon profiling complements profiling with kite systems by expanding the range of wind conditions over which data can be obtained. A total of 65 profiles were collected using these platforms. Elevated ozone mixing ratios highly anticorrelated with water vapor mixing ratios observed during August 4–7 suggest an upper atmospheric source for ozone‐rich air during summertime in the Maritime Provinces of Canada. Ozone mixing ratios reaching 100 parts per billion by volume (ppbv) in this air mass were associated with water vapor mixing ratios as low as 0.1 g kg−1. Profiles collected during August 11–13 demonstrate the use of kite and balloon systems to obtain vertical profiles over a wide range of wind conditions. Ozone mixing ratios of 65 ppbv were observed at 1 km altitude on August 12, while profiles collected on August 13 exhibit no evidence of elevated ozone. These results document the rapid transport of an air mass containing elevated ozone levels over the sampling site that would not have been possible with either system alone.