Jungfraujoch Station Research Articles

First HFC-134a retrievals from ground-based FTIR solar absorption spectra, comparison with TOMCAT model simulations, in-situ AGAGE observations, and ACE-FTS satellite data for the Jungfraujoch station

Successive regulations on the production and consumption of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) have led to the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) as substitution products. Consequently, these potent greenhouse gases are now controlled under the Kigali Amendment (2016) to the Montreal Protocol. HFC-134a is the preferred substitute to CFC-12 as a refrigerant and is the most abundant HFC in the atmosphere today. This work presents the first retrievals from ground-based Fourier Transform InfraRed (FTIR) high-resolution solar absorption spectra, recorded at the Jungfraujoch station as part of the Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change (NDACC). To verify these retrievals, the FTIR time series was compared to three other datasets: a simulation of the TOMCAT 3-D chemical transport model, the Fourier Transform Spectrometer on board the Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment (ACE-FTS) L2 v5.2 retrievals, and the Jungfraujoch in-situ surface observations conducted within the Advanced Global Atmospheric Gases Experiment (AGAGE) network. The overall trends of HFC-134a (2004–2022) were analyzed to assess the relative growth rates of this atmospheric compound. These trends are 7.34 ± 0.16 %/year (FTIR), 7.12 ± 0.05 %/year (TOMCAT), 7.29 ± 0.16 %/year (ACE-FTS), and 6.61 ± 0.05 %/year (in-situ). The relative trends are in good agreement, so these novel FTIR retrievals are validated. Consequently, this strategy could be implemented at other NDACC sites to achieve a quasi-global detection of this species using the FTIR remote sensing technique.

First Atmospheric Measurements and Emission Estimates of HFO-1336mzz(Z).

For the past few years, short-lived unsaturated halocarbons have been marketed as environmentally friendly replacements for long-lived halogenated greenhouse gases and ozone-depleting substances. The phase-in of unsaturated halocarbons for various applications, such as refrigeration and foam blowing, can be tracked by their emergence and increase in the atmosphere. We present the first atmospheric measurements of the hydrofluoroolefin (HFO) HFO-1336mzz(Z) ((Z)-1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene, cis-CF3CH═CHCF3), a newly used unsaturated hydrofluorocarbon. HFO-1336mzz(Z) has been detected in >90% of all measurements since 2018 during multi-month campaigns at three Swiss and one Dutch location. Since 2019, it is found in ∼30% of all measurements that run continuously at the Swiss high-altitude Jungfraujoch station. During pollution events, mole fractions of up to ∼10 ppt were observed. Based on our measurements, Swiss and Dutch emissions were estimated at 2-7 Mg yr-1 (2019-2021) and 30 Mg yr-1 (2022), respectively. Modeled spatial emission distributions only partly conform to population density in both countries. Monitoring the presence of new unsaturated halocarbons in the atmosphere is crucial since long-term effects of their degradation products are still debated. Furthermore, the production of HFOs involves climate-active substances, which may leak to the atmosphere─in the case of HFO-1336mzz(Z), for example, the ozone-depleting CFC-113a (CF3CCl3).

WHEAT SEED (TRITICUM AESTIVUM L.) RADIOCARBON CONCENTRATION OVER THE LAST 75 YEARS

ABSTRACTHere we report radiocarbon measurements made on wheat seed tissue (Triticum aestivum L.; winter or spring type growth habit), from the seed archive of the IPK Gatersleben, Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany, which was harvested between 1946 and 2020. The results give an overview of 75 years of radiocarbon concentration evolution in agricultural plant products. The wheat tissue radiocarbon concentrations follow known pre- and post-bomb radiocarbon records, such as the atmospheric Jungfraujoch, Schauinsland, and NH1 datasets. Based on a Northern Hemisphere growing period from April to July, the Gatersleben seed tissue radiocarbon concentration indicates incorporation of fossil carbon of about 1% with respect to the high alpine, clean-air CO2 of the Jungfraujoch station between 1987 and 2019. We propose to use the pre- and post-bomb radiocarbon record of Gatersleben wheat as a reference in forensic investigations, such as the age estimation of paper by analyzing starch used in paper manufacture. Additionally, an advantage of the record reported here lies in its extensibility by adding new analyses from future harvests.

Climatological and radiative properties of midlatitude cirrus clouds derived by automatic evaluation of lidar measurements

Abstract. Cirrus, i.e., high, thin clouds that are fully glaciated, play an important role in the Earth's radiation budget as they interact with both long- and shortwave radiation and affect the water vapor budget of the upper troposphere and stratosphere. Here, we present a climatology of midlatitude cirrus clouds measured with the same type of ground-based lidar at three midlatitude research stations: at the Swiss high alpine Jungfraujoch station (3580 m a.s.l.), in Zürich (Switzerland, 510 m a.s.l.), and in Jülich (Germany, 100 m a.s.l.). The analysis is based on 13 000 h of measurements from 2010 to 2014. To automatically evaluate this extensive data set, we have developed the Fast LIdar Cirrus Algorithm (FLICA), which combines a pixel-based cloud-detection scheme with the classic lidar evaluation techniques. We find mean cirrus optical depths of 0.12 on Jungfraujoch and of 0.14 and 0.17 in Zürich and Jülich, respectively. Above Jungfraujoch, subvisible cirrus clouds (τ < 0.03) have been observed during 6 % of the observation time, whereas above Zürich and Jülich fewer clouds of that type were observed. Cirrus have been observed up to altitudes of 14.4 km a.s.l. above Jungfraujoch, whereas they have only been observed to about 1 km lower at the other stations. These features highlight the advantage of the high-altitude station Jungfraujoch, which is often in the free troposphere above the polluted boundary layer, thus enabling lidar measurements of thinner and higher clouds. In addition, the measurements suggest a change in cloud morphology at Jungfraujoch above ∼ 13 km, possibly because high particle number densities form in the observed cirrus clouds, when many ice crystals nucleate in the high supersaturations following rapid uplifts in lee waves above mountainous terrain. The retrieved optical properties are used as input for a radiative transfer model to estimate the net cloud radiative forcing, CRFNET, for the analyzed cirrus clouds. All cirrus detected here have a positive CRFNET. This confirms that these thin, high cirrus have a warming effect on the Earth's climate, whereas cooling clouds typically have cloud edges too low in altitude to satisfy the FLICA criterion of temperatures below −38 °C. We find CRFNET = 0.9 W m−2 for Jungfraujoch and 1.0 W m−2 (1.7 W m−2) for Zürich (Jülich). Further, we calculate that subvisible cirrus (τ < 0.03) contribute about 5 %, thin cirrus (0.03 < τ < 0.3) about 45 %, and opaque cirrus (0.3 < τ) about 50 % of the total cirrus radiative forcing.

Optimized approach to retrieve information on atmospheric carbonyl sulfide (OCS) above the Jungfraujoch station and change in its abundance since 1995

In this paper, we present an optimized retrieval strategy for carbonyl sulfide (OCS), using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) solar observations made at the high-altitude Jungfraujoch station in the Swiss Alps. More than 200 lines of the ν3 fundamental band of OCS have been systematically evaluated and we selected 4 microwindows on the basis of objective criteria minimizing the effect of interferences, mainly by solar features, carbon dioxide and water vapor absorption lines, while maximizing the information content. Implementation of this new retrieval strategy provided an extended time series of the OCS abundance spanning the 1995–2015 time period, for the study of the long-term trend and seasonal variation of OCS in the free troposphere and stratosphere.Three distinct periods characterize the evolution of the tropospheric partial columns: a first decreasing period (1995–2002), an intermediate increasing period (2002–2008), and the more recent period (2008–2015) which shows no significant trend. Our FTIR tropospheric and stratospheric time series are compared with new in situ gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GCMS) measurements performed by Empa (Laboratory for Air Pollution/Environmental Technology) at the Jungfraujoch since 2008, and with space-borne solar occultation observations by the ACE-FTS instrument on-board the SCISAT satellite, respectively, and they show good agreement. The OCS signal recorded above Jungfraujoch appears to be closely related to anthropogenic sulfur emissions.

Retrieval of HCFC-142b (CH3CClF2) from ground-based high-resolution infrared solar spectra: Atmospheric increase since 1989 and comparison with surface and satellite measurements

We have developed an approach for retrieving HCFC-142b (CH3CClF2) from ground-based high-resolution infrared solar spectra, using its ν7 band Q branch in the 900–906cm−1 interval. Interferences by HNO3, CO2 and H2O have to be accounted for. Application of this approach to observations recorded within the framework of long-term monitoring activities carried out at the northern mid-latitude, high-altitude Jungfraujoch station in Switzerland (46.5°N, 8.0°E, 3580m above sea level) has provided a total column times series spanning the 1989 to mid-2015 time period. A fit to the HCFC-142b daily mean total column time series shows a statistically-significant long-term trend of (1.23±0.08×1013moleccm−2) per year from 2000 to 2010, at the 2-σ confidence level. This corresponds to a significant atmospheric accumulation of (0.94±0.06) ppt (1ppt=1/1012) per year for the mean tropospheric mixing ratio, at the 2−σ confidence level. Over the subsequent time period (2010–2014), we note a significant slowing down in the HCFC-142b buildup. Our ground-based FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared) results are compared with relevant data sets derived from surface in situ measurements at the Mace Head and Jungfraujoch sites of the AGAGE (Advanced Global Atmospheric Gases Experiment) network and from occultation measurements by the ACE-FTS (Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment-Fourier Transform Spectrometer) instrument on-board the SCISAT satellite.

Comparison and merging of ozone profile data from various measurement techniques at NDACC Alpine station

Within the Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Changes (NDACC), various remote sensing techniques are used in addition to in situ ozone sounding measurements for the long-term evaluation of the ozone vertical distribution. These techniques, using e.g. microwave spectrometers, Fourier Transform Infrared spectrometers or laser radiation (lidars), are very different in terms of vertical distribution, time sampling and precision, which can present some difficulties for the validation of satellite data or the products of the European Monitoring atmospheric composition & climate Service (MACC). A methodology was developed for the integration of profile ozone data from various sources in order to provide consistent ozone vertical distribution time series as well as tropospheric and stratospheric ozone partial columns. This methodology was developed for measurements performed in the stations forming the Alpine station (e.g. Haute-Provence Observatory OHP – France, Bern – Switzerland, Jungfraujoch – Switzerland). Ozone measurements from the ozone DIAL lidar instrument and ozone sondes at OHP, the microwave spectrometer at Bern and the FTIR spectrometer at the Jungfraujoch station were used for this purpose.

Retrievals of formaldehyde from ground-based FTIR and MAX-DOAS observations at the Jungfraujoch station and comparisons with GEOS-Chem and IMAGES model simulations

Abstract. As an ubiquitous product of the oxidation of many volatile organic compounds (VOCs), formaldehyde (HCHO) plays a key role as a short-lived and reactive intermediate in the atmospheric photo-oxidation pathways leading to the formation of tropospheric ozone and secondary organic aerosols. In this study, HCHO profiles have been successfully retrieved from ground-based Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) solar spectra and UV-visible Multi-AXis Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (MAX-DOAS) scans recorded during the July 2010–December 2012 time period at the Jungfraujoch station (Swiss Alps, 46.5° N, 8.0° E, 3580 m a.s.l.). Analysis of the retrieved products has revealed different vertical sensitivity between both remote sensing techniques. Furthermore, HCHO amounts simulated by two state-of-the-art chemical transport models (CTMs), GEOS-Chem and IMAGES v2, have been compared to FTIR total columns and MAX-DOAS 3.6–8 km partial columns, accounting for the respective vertical resolution of each ground-based instrument. Using the CTM outputs as the intermediate, FTIR and MAX-DOAS retrievals have shown consistent seasonal modulations of HCHO throughout the investigated period, characterized by summertime maximum and wintertime minimum. Such comparisons have also highlighted that FTIR and MAX-DOAS provide complementary products for the HCHO retrieval above the Jungfraujoch station. Finally, tests have revealed that the updated IR parameters from the HITRAN 2012 database have a cumulative effect and significantly decrease the retrieved HCHO columns with respect to the use of the HITRAN 2008 compilation.

Long-term evolution and seasonal modulation of methanol above Jungfraujoch (46.5° N, 8.0° E): optimisation of the retrieval strategy, comparison with model simulations and independent observations

Abstract. Methanol (CH3OH) is the second most abundant organic compound in the Earth's atmosphere after methane. In this study, we present the first long-term time series of methanol total, lower tropospheric and upper tropospheric–lower stratospheric partial columns derived from the analysis of high resolution Fourier transform infrared solar spectra recorded at the Jungfraujoch station (46.5° N, 3580 m a.s.l.). The retrieval of methanol is very challenging due to strong absorptions of ozone in the region of the selected υ8 band of CH3OH. Two wide spectral intervals have been defined and adjusted in order to maximise the information content. Methanol does not exhibit a significant trend over the 1995–2012 time period, but a strong seasonal modulation characterised by maximum values and variability in June–July, minimum columns in winter and a peak-to-peak amplitude of 130%. Analysis and comparisons with in situ measurements carried out at the Jungfraujoch and ACE-FTS (Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment-Fourier transform spectrometer) occultations have been performed. The total and lower tropospheric columns are also compared with IMAGESv2 model simulations. There is no systematic bias between the observations and IMAGESv2 but the model underestimates the peak-to-peak amplitude of the seasonal modulations.

Frequency characteristic of response of surface air pressure to changes in flux of cosmic rays

We compare the series of daily-average values of the surface air pressure for De Bilt and Lugano meteorological stations with subtracted linear trends and seasonal harmonics, as well as the series of the flux of galactic cosmic rays (GCRs) at Jungfraujoch station with subtracted moving average over 200 days. Using the method of superposed epochs, we show that the Forbush decreases at both stations are accompanied by increased pressure. Spectral analysis allows us to conclude that the analyzed series are characterized by nonzero coherence in almost the entire frequency range: from 0.02 day−1 day up to the Nyquist frequency of 0.5 day−1. Using changes in the GCR flux as a probing signal, we obtain amplitude-frequency characteristics of the pressure reaction. For both stations, these characteristics are in qualitative agreement with each other and indicate that the atmospheric response can be described by a second-order linear dynamic system that has wide resonance with a maximum at a frequency of 0.15 day−1.

Self-broadening coefficients and improved line intensities for the ν7 band of ethylene near [formula omitted], and impact on ethylene retrievals from Jungfraujoch solar spectra

Relying on high-resolution Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, the present work involved extensive measurements of individual line intensities and self-broadening coefficients for the ν7 band of 12C2H4. The measured self-broadening coefficients exhibit a dependence on both J and Ka. Compared to the corresponding information available in the latest edition of the HITRAN spectroscopic database, the measured line intensities were found to be higher by about 10% for high J lines in the P branch and lower by about 5% for high J lines of the R branch, varying between these two limits roughly linearly with the line positions. The impact of the presently measured line intensities on retrievals of atmospheric ethylene in the 949.0–952.0cm−1 microwindow was evaluated using a subset of ground-based high-resolution FTIR solar spectra recorded at the Jungfraujoch station. The use of HITRAN 2012 with line intensities modified to match the present measurements led to a systematic reduction of the measured total columns of ethylene by −4.1±0.1%.

Spectrometric monitoring of atmospheric carbon tetrafluoride (CF<sub>4</sub>) above the Jungfraujoch station since 1989: evidence of continued increase but at a slowing rate

Abstract. The long-term evolution of the vertical column abundance of carbon tetrafluoride (CF4) above the high-altitude Jungfraujoch station (Swiss Alps, 46.5° N, 8.0° E, 3580 m a.s.l.) has been derived from the spectrometric analysis of Fourier transform infrared solar spectra recorded at that site between 1989 and 2012. The investigation is based on a multi-microwindow approach, two encompassing pairs of absorption lines belonging to the R-branch of the strong ν3 band of CF4 centered at 1283 cm−1, and two additional ones to optimally account for weak but overlapping HNO3 interferences. The analysis reveals a steady accumulation of the very long-lived CF4 above the Jungfraujoch at mean rates of (1.38 ± 0.11) × 1013 molec cm−2 yr−1 from 1989 to 1997, and (0.98 ± 0.02) × 1013 molec cm−2 yr−1 from 1998 to 2012, which correspond to linear growth rates of 1.71 ± 0.14 and 1.04 ± 0.02% yr−1 respectively referenced to 1989 and 1998. Related global CF4 anthropogenic emissions required to sustain these mean increases correspond to 15.8 ± 1.3 and 11.1 ± 0.2 Gg yr−1 over the above specified time intervals. Findings reported here are compared and discussed with respect to relevant northern mid-latitude results obtained remotely from space and balloons as well as in situ at the ground, including new gas chromatography mass spectrometry measurements performed at the Jungfraujoch since 2010.

Decrease of the carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) loading above Jungfraujoch, based on high resolution infrared solar spectra recorded between 1999 and 2011

The long-term trend of the atmospheric carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) burden has been retrieved from high spectral resolution infrared solar absorption spectra recorded between January 1999 and June 2011. The observations were made with a Fourier transform spectrometer at the northern mid-latitude, high altitude Jungfraujoch station in Switzerland (46.5°N latitude, 8.0°E longitude, 3580m altitude). Total columns were derived from spectrometric analysis of the strong CCl4ν3 band at 794cm−1, accounting for all interfering molecules (e.g., H2O, CO2, O3, and a dozen weakly absorbing gases). A significant improvement in the fitting residuals and in the retrieved CCl4 columns was obtained by taking into account line mixing in a strong interfering CO2 Q branch. This procedure had never been implemented in remote sensing CCl4 retrievals though its importance was noted in earlier studies. A fit to the CCl4 daily mean total column time series returns a statistically-significant long-term trend of (−1.49±0.08×1013mol/cm2)/yr, 2−σ. This corresponds to an annual decrease of (−1.31±0.07)pptv for the mean free tropospheric volume mixing ratio. Furthermore, the total column data set reveals a weak seasonal cycle with a peak-to-peak amplitude of 4.5%, with minimum and maximum values occurring in mid-February and mid-September, respectively. This small seasonal modulation is attributed primarily to the residual influence of tropopause height changes throughout the year. The negative trend of the CCl4 loading reflects the continued impact of the regulations implemented by the Montreal Protocol and its strengthening amendments and adjustments. Despite this statistically significant decrease, the CCl4 molecule currently remains an important contributor to the atmospheric chlorine budget, and thus deserves further monitoring, to ensure continued compliance with these strengthenings, globally. Our present findings are briefly discussed with respect to recent relevant CCl4 investigations at the ground and from space.

Chemical composition and mixing-state of ice residuals sampled within mixed phase clouds

Abstract. During an intensive campaign at the high alpine research station Jungfraujoch, Switzerland, in February/March 2006 ice particle residuals within mixed-phase clouds were sampled using the Ice-counterflow virtual impactor (Ice-CVI). Size, morphology, chemical composition, mineralogy and mixing state of the ice residual and the interstitial (i.e., non-activated) aerosol particles were analyzed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Ice nuclei (IN) were identified from the significant enrichment of particle groups in the ice residual (IR) samples relative to the interstitial aerosol. In terms of number lead-bearing particles are enriched by a factor of approximately 25, complex internal mixtures with silicates or metal oxides as major components by a factor of 11, and mixtures of secondary aerosol and carbonaceous material (C-O-S particles) by a factor of 2. Other particle groups (sulfates, sea salt, Ca-rich particles, external silicates) observed in the ice-residual samples cannot be assigned unambiguously as IN. Between 9 and 24% of all IR are Pb-bearing particles. Pb was found as major component in around 10% of these particles (PbO, PbCl2). In the other particles, Pb was found as some 100 nm sized agglomerates consisting of 3–8 nm sized primary particles (PbS, elemental Pb). C-O-S particles are present in the IR at an abundance of 17–27%. The soot component within these particles is strongly aged. Complex internal mixtures occur in the IR at an abundance of 9–15%. Most IN identified at the Jungfraujoch station are internal mixtures containing anthropogenic components (either as main or minor constituent), and it is concluded that admixture of the anthropogenic component is responsible for the increased IN efficiency within mixed phase clouds. The mixing state appears to be a key parameter for the ice nucleation behaviour that cannot be predicted from the sole knowledge of the main component of an individual particle.

Formic acid above the Jungfraujoch during 1985–2007: observed variability, seasonality, but no long-term background evolution

Abstract. This paper reports on daytime total vertical column abundances of formic acid (HCOOH) above the Northern mid-latitude, high altitude Jungfraujoch station (Switzerland; 46.5° N, 8.0° E, 3580 m alt.). The columns were derived from the analysis of infrared solar observations regularly performed with high spectral resolution Fourier transform spectrometers during over 1500 days between September 1985 and September 2007. The investigation was based on the spectrometric fitting of five spectral intervals, one encompassing the HCOOH ν6 band Q branch at 1105 cm−1, and four additional ones allowing to optimally account for critical temperature-sensitive or time-evolving interferences by other atmospheric gases, in particular HDO, CCl2F2 and CHClF2. The main results derived from the 22 years long database indicate that the free tropospheric burden of HCOOH above the Jungfraujoch undergoes important short-term daytime variability, diurnal and seasonal modulations, inter-annual anomalies, but no significant long-term background change. A major progress in the remote determination of the atmospheric HCOOH columns reported here has resulted from the adoption of new, improved absolute spectral line intensities for the infrared ν6 band of trans-formic acid, resulting in retrieved free tropospheric loadings being about a factor two smaller than if derived with previous spectroscopic parameters. Implications of this significant change with regard to earlier remote measurements of atmospheric formic acid and comparison with relevant Northern mid-latitude findings, both in situ and remote, will be assessed critically. Sparse HCOOH model predictions will also be evoked and assessed with respect to findings reported here.

Radiocarbon in the Air of Central Europe: Long-Term Investigations

Regional levels of radiocarbon have been monitored in order to investigate the impact of fossil fuel combustion on the activity of atmospheric 14CO2 in central Europe. Data from atmospheric 14CO2 monitoring stations in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary for the period 2000–2008 are presented and discussed. The Prague and Bratislava monitoring stations showed a distinct local Suess effect when compared to the Jungfraujoch clean-air monitoring station. However, during the summer period, statistically insignificant differences were observed between the low-altitude stations and the high-mountain Jungfraujoch station. 14C data from the Hungarian monitoring locality at Dunaföldvár and the Czech monitoring station at Košetice, which are not strongly affected by local fossil CO2 sources, indicate similar grouping and amplitudes, typical for a regional Suess effect.

Gap filling and noise reduction of unevenly sampled data by means of the Lomb-Scargle periodogram

Abstract. The Lomb-Scargle periodogram is widely used for the estimation of the power spectral density of unevenly sampled data. A small extension of the algorithm of the Lomb-Scargle periodogram permits the estimation of the phases of the spectral components. The amplitude and phase information is sufficient for the construction of a complex Fourier spectrum. The inverse Fourier transform can be applied to this Fourier spectrum and provides an evenly sampled series (Scargle, 1989). We are testing the proposed reconstruction method by means of artificial time series and real observations of mesospheric ozone, having data gaps and noise. For data gap filling and noise reduction, it is necessary to modify the Fourier spectrum before the inverse Fourier transform is done. The modification can be easily performed by selection of the relevant spectral components which are above a given confidence limit or within a certain frequency range. Examples with time series of lower mesospheric ozone show that the reconstruction method can reproduce steep ozone gradients around sunrise and sunset and superposed planetary wave-like oscillations observed by a ground-based microwave radiometer at Payerne. The importance of gap filling methods for climate change studies is demonstrated by means of long-term series of temperature and water vapor pressure at the Jungfraujoch station where data gaps from another instrument have been inserted before the linear trend is calculated. The results are encouraging but the present reconstruction algorithm is far away from being reliable and robust enough for a serious application.

Measurements of long-term changes in atmospheric OCS (carbonyl sulfide) from infrared solar observations

Multi-decade atmospheric OCS (carbonyl sulfide) infrared measurements have been analyzed with the goal of quantifying long-term changes and evaluating the consistency of the infrared atmospheric OCS remote-sensing measurement record. Solar-viewing grating spectrometer measurements recorded in April 1951 at the Jungfraujoch station (46.5°N latitude, 8.0°E longitude, 3.58 km altitude) show evidence for absorption by lines of the strong ν 3 band of OCS at 2062 cm −1. The observation predates the earliest previously reported OCS atmosphere remote-sensing measurement by two decades. More recent infrared ground-based measurements of OCS have been obtained primarily with high-resolution solar-viewing Fourier transform spectrometers (FTSs). Long-term trends derived from this record span more than two decades and show OCS columns that have remained constant or have decreased slightly with time since the Mt. Pinatubo eruption, though retrievals assuming different versions of public spectroscopic databases have been impacted by OCS ν 3 band line intensity differences of ∼10%. The lower stratospheric OCS trend has been inferred assuming spectroscopic parameters from the high-resolution transmission (HITRAN) 2004 database. Volume mixing ratio (VMR) profiles measured near 30°N latitude with high-resolution solar-viewing FTSs operating in the solar occultation mode over a 22 years time span were combined. Atmospheric Trace MOlecucle Spectroscopy (ATMOS) version 3 FTS measurements in 1985 and 1994 were used with Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment (ACE) measurements during 2004–2007. Trends were calculated by referencing the measured OCS VMRs to those of the long-lived constituent N 2O to account for variations in the dynamic history of the sampled airmasses. Means and 1-sigma standard deviations of VMRs (in ppbv, or 10 −9 per unit air volume) averaged over 30–100 hPa from measurements at 25–35°N latitude are 0.334±0.089 ppbv from 1985 (ATMOS Spacelab 3 measurements), 0.297±0.094 ppbv from 1994 ATLAS 3 measurements, 0.326±0.074 ppbv from ACE 2004 measurements, 0.305±0.096 ppbv from ACE 2005 measurements, 0.328±0.074 from ACE 2006 measurements, and 0.305±0.090 ppbv from ACE measurements through August 2007. Assuming these parameters, we conclude that there has been no statistically significant trend in lower stratospheric OCS over the measurement time span. We discuss past measurement sets, quantify the impact of changes in infrared spectroscopic parameters on atmospheric retrievals and trend measurements, and discuss OCS spectroscopic uncertainties of the current ν 3 band parameters in public atmospheric databases.

The fast Ice Nucleus chamber FINCH

We present first results of our new developed Ice Nucleus (IN) counter FINCH from the sixth Cloud and Aerosol Characterization Experiment (CLACE 6) campaign at Jungfraujoch station, 3571 m asl. Measurements were made at the total and the ICE CVI inlet. Laboratory measurements of ice onset temperatures by FINCH are compared to those of the static diffusion chamber FRIDGE (FRankfurt Ice Deposition Freezing Experiment). Within the errors of both new instruments the results compare well to published data.

Measurements and trend analysis of O 2, CO 2 and δ13C of CO 2 from the high altitude research station Junfgraujoch, Switzerland — A comparison with the observations from the remote site Puy de Dôme, France

Atmospheric O 2 and CO 2 flask measurements from the high altitude research station Jungfraujoch, Switzerland, and from the observatory at Puy de Dôme, France, are presented. Additionally, the Jungfraujoch δ 13C record of CO 2 is discussed. The observations on flask samples collected at the Jungfraujoch station show, since 2003, an enhancement of the oxygen trend which amounts to about 45 per meg/year with a corresponding CO 2 increase of around 2.4 ppm/year. This enhancement is comparable with that observed at the Puy de Dôme station where oxygen, since mid 2002, has decreased with a rate of about 50 per meg/year whilst the CO 2 increase was of around 1.7 ppm/year but exhibiting a higher variability. Several processes influence δO 2/N 2. However, these processes are marked with different oxidation ratios (O 2:CO 2) that can be used to distinguish them. The apparent slopes calculated from correlation plots between de-trended CO 2 and δO 2/N 2 records as well as between corresponding trends are significantly larger than the observed terrestrial exchange and fossil fuel emission slopes indicating a strong oceanic influence. Since ocean–atmosphere exchange can have very variable O 2:CO 2 ratios depending on processes within the ocean, it is to our understanding the only possibility to explain our observations. The stability of the δO 2/N 2 scale is critical in this regard, therefore, it is addressed here and we found no significant scale drift which would influence our trend calculations. In our view more important are criterions on the data selection before trend analysis.