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Reactive Nitrogen Compounds at Spitsbergen in the Norwegian Arctic

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Abstract

Simultaneousindependent measurements of NOy and NOx(NOx= NO + NO2) by high-sensitivitychemiluminescence systems and of PAN (peroxyacetylnitrate) and PPN (peroxypropionyl nitrate) by GC-ECDwere made at Spitsbergen in the Norwegian Arcticduring the first half year of 1994. The average mixingratio of the sum of PAN and PPN (denoted PANs)increased from around 150 pptv in early winter to amaximum of around 500 pptv in late March, whereasepisodic peak values reached 800 pptv. This occurredsimultaneously with a maximum in ozone which increasedto 45–50 ppbv in March–April. The average NOxmixing ratio was 27 pptv and did not show any cyclethrough the period. The NOy mixing ratio showeda maximum in late March, while the difference betweenNOy and PAN decreased during spring. This is anindication of the dominance of PAN in the NOybudget in the Arctic, but possible changes in theefficiency of the NOy converter could alsocontribute to this. Although most PAN in theArctic is believed to be due to long range transport,the observations indicate local loss and formationrates of up to 1–2 pptv h-1 in April–May.Measurements of carbonyl compounds suggest thatacetaldehyde was the dominant, local precursor ofPAN.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Norwegian Institute for Air Research, PO Box 100, N-2007, Kjeller, Norway

    S. Solberg, T. Krognes, F. Stordal, OØ Hov & H. J. Beine

  2. Geophysical Institute and Department of Chemistry, University of Alaska, 903 N. Koyukuk Drive, Fairbanks, AK, 99775-7320, U.S.A.

    H. J. Beine & D. A. Jaffe

  3. School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, England

    K. C. Clemitshaw & S. A. Penkett

  4. Centre for Environmental Technology, Imperial College of Science and Technology and Medicine, Silwood Park, Ascot, SL7 2PY, England

    K. C. Clemitshaw

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Solberg, S., Krognes, T., Stordal, F. et al. Reactive Nitrogen Compounds at Spitsbergen in the Norwegian Arctic. Journal of Atmospheric Chemistry 28, 209–225 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005883323285

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