Remote and In Situ Detection of Atmospheric Trace Gases— Infrared Spectroscopy for Ammonia

摘要

This report describes a three-year study to design instruments for the detection of trace gases in the atmosphere. Ammonia was chosen as the target molecule because it plays a role in the atmospheric transformation of sulfur and nitrogen compounds and is therefore of interest in acid rain research. The report focuses on three research areas:a remote sensor, an in-situ sensor, and a sensitive laboratory tool to study trace gases.nThe design concludes that a van-mounted infrared system could be developed that would be capable of making range-resolved measurements at a level of a ppb of ammonia, the global background, to ranges up to 4 km from the system. At present, no remote sensors designed or in use can meet these goals.