CMDL Annual Report 24: 1.3.2. SMO Programs

1.3.2. SMO Programs

Table 1.3 summarizes the programs at SMO for 1996-1997. Operational highlights follow.

TABLE 1.3. Summary of Measurement Programs at SMO in 1996-1997

Program				Instrument	Sampling Frequency
Gases
	CO2			Siemens Ultramat-5E analyzer	Continuous
	CO2, CH4			0.5-L glass flasks, through analyzer	1 pair wk-1
				2.5-L glass flasks, MAKS pump unit	1 pair wk-1
	CO2, CH4, CO, and 13C, 18O of CO2			2.5-L glass flasks, AirKit	1 pair wk-1
	Surface O3			Dasibi ozone meter	Continuous
				TEI UV photometric ozone analyzer	Continuous
	Total O3			Dobson spectrophotometer no. 42	4 day-1
			N2O, CFC-11, CFC-12, CFC-113, CH3CCl3, CCl4	850-mL stainless steel flasks	1 sample wk-1
			N2O, CFC-11, CFC-12, CFC-113, CH3CCl3, CCl4, SF6, HCFC-22, HCFC-141b, HCFC-142b, CH3Br, CH3Cl, CH2Cl2, CHCl3, C2HCl3, C2Cl4, H-1301, H-1211, H-2402, HFC-134a	2.4-mL stainless steel flasks	1 sample wk-1
	CFC-11, CFC-12, CFC-113, N2O, CCl4, CH3CCl3			HP5890 automated GC	2 sample h-1
	N2O			Shimadzu automated GC	2 sample h-1

Aerosols
		Condensation nuclei		Pollak CNC	1 day-1
				TSI CNC	Continuous

Solar Radiation
			Global irradiance	Eppley pyranometers with Q and RG8 filters	Continuous
			Direct irradiance	Eppley pyrheliometer with Q filter	Continuous
				Eppley pyrheliometer with Q, OG1,	Discrete
				RG2, and RG8 filters
			Diffuse irradiance	Eppley pyrgeometer with shading disk and Q filter	Continuous

Meteorology
		Air temperature		Thermistors (2)	Continuous
		Dewpoint temperature		Polished mirror	Continuous
		Pressure		Capacitance transducer	Continuous
				Mercurial barometer	1 wk-1
		Wind (speed and direction)		R.M. Young Windbird	Continuous
		Precipitation		Rain gauge, tipping bucket	Continuous
				Rain gauge, plastic bulk	1 day-1

Cooperative Programs
	CO2, 13C, N2O (SIO)			5-L evacuated glass flasks	1 set wk-1 (3 flasks set-1)
	GAGE/AGAGE project: CFC-11, CFC-12,			HP5880/HP5890 Series II gas chromatograph	3 h-1
	CFC-113, N2O, CCl4, CH3CCl3, CH4 (SIO)
	Various trace gases (OGIST)			Stainless steel flasks	1 set wk-1 (3 flasks set-1)
	Bulk deposition (DOE)			Ion exchange column	Continuous (1 filter mo-1)
	Total suspended particulates (DOE)			High-volume sampler	Continuous (1 filter wk-1)
	Total suspended particulates (SEASPAN)			High-volume sampler	Continuous (1 filter wk-1)
	CH4,(13C/12C ratio) (Univ. of Wash.)			30-L pressurized cylinder	Biweekly
	Light hydrocarbons (UCI)			1-L evacuated stainless steel flasks	3-4 flasks qtr-1
	O2 (URI)			2.5-L glass flasks	2 pair mo-1
	O2 (SIO)			3-L glass flasks	2 sets mo-1 (3 flasks set-1)

SIO - Scripps Institution of Oceanography

OGIST - Oregon Graduate Institute of Science and Technology

UCI - University of California, Irvine

URI - University of Rhode Island

Carbon Dioxide

The Control and Monitoring System (CAMS) for the CO2 Siemens analyzer continued to cause many interruptions in data collection throughout 1996-1997. This control system will soon be retired and replaced with a newer type control system. This lone remaining CAMS will be the last to be replaced at this facility.

The Martin and Kitzis Sampler (MAKS) continued to be operated in tandem with the new automated AirKit until October 1996 when the MAKS was retired. The AirKit did an admirable job and produced the desired comparable data that the MAKS had produced.

Surface Ozone

The Dasibi ozone measuring system experienced several data interruptions during 1996-1997, but after subsequent repairs it continued to operate reliably for extended periods of time. The unreliable frequency control and voltage spikes of the local power caused frequent uneven traces in the recorded data.

In July 1997 a Thermo Electron Instruments (TEI) UV photometric ozone analyzer was installed to operate in parallel with the Dasibi system. This instrument has operated in a reliable manner.

Total Ozone

The Dobson spectrophotometer continued to operate reliably throughout this 2-year term. Between December 1996 and April 1997, the instrument was shipped round-trip to Australia for a thorough calibration. Several computer program upgrades in 1996-1997 made data collection more precise and useful. The dome covering the instrument has reached the end of its life expectancy because of the humid, salty atmosphere and will be replaced soon.

Ozonesonde Balloons

The National Weather Service supplied hydrogen for the ozonesonde balloon launches that were routinely performed weekly, and for a short time, twice weekly. There was a standby supply of helium available when hydrogen was not. This is one location where hydrogen-filled balloons were launched with reduced risk, because the high humidity suppresses the occurrence of static sparks.

Nitrous Oxide and Halocompounds

Two gas chromatographs operated continuously with little serious maintenance required. Paper printouts and electronic recorded data were closely monitored and sent to Boulder at periodic intervals. The continuously running air pumps and several different compressed gases utilized by the systems required daily monitoring and occasional attention.

Aerosols

In July 1997 the Thermal System, Inc. (TSI) conden-sation nuclear counter (CNC) was removed and sent to Boulder because of its continued maintenance problems. It has not been replaced. The Pollak counter continued to be troublesome on occasion because of its age and difficult-to-replace parts.

Solar Radiation and Meteorology

The solar radiation and meteorology instruments operated reliably with only daily adjustments and occasional maintenance required. Automatic data transmission to Boulder continued to be very reliable as long as the telephone/modem line connections remained satisfactory. International communication system quality continued to be the uncontrollable weakness in these two operations.

Cooperative Programs

A comprehensive list of SMO cooperative projects is given in Table 1.3. Only projects that experienced special problems or unusual activity are mentioned here.

SIO GAGE/AGAGE. The Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO) Global Atmospheric Gases Experiment (GAGE) project ended when the new remote building was completed. The new Advanced Global Atmospheric Gases Experiment (AGAGE) project replaced it and was a well-engineered, mostly maintenance-free system after the initial installation inconveniences were resolved.

SEASPAN. The SEAREX South Pacific Aerosol Network (SEASPAN) wind/sector system and circuits required maintenance several times during this reporting period. The system was quite reliable in most other respects.

DOE. The Department of Energy (DOE) reduced the frequency of its ion exchange column sampling after the French government ceased nuclear testing near Tahiti. The once-a-week sampling was reduced to once a quarter. Their high volume air sampler was replaced in October 1996 with a very reliable, low maintenance system.

University of Washington. The University of Washington ended its flask/methane collection project with the last flask being filled in June 1997.

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