Balloons as a Lagrangian measurement platform for atmospheric research

Abstract

The history of constant‐level balloons as observational platforms for atmospheric research is reviewed. Recent experience in using simple tetroons with Global Positioning System transponders for long‐range tracking during the Atlantic Stratocumulus Transition Experiment (ASTEX) is presented, along with an overview of the results of the ASTEX/Marine Aerosol and Gas Exchange Lagrangian strategy experiments. Progress in balloon materials and tracking capabilities is discussed, and a design is presented for an economical, lightweight “smart balloon” for use in future Lagrangian strategy, atmospheric chemistry experiments.

ReOBS: a new approach to synthesize long-term multi-variable dataset and application to the SIRTA supersite

“…In the first example, an unphysical change of 2 hPa within 1 min is observed in pressure (larger than 5 hPa during 5 min, see Table 3). In the second example, (Durr and Philipona, 2004; Cloud fraction from sky imager tot_cld_tsi Analysis of color ratio, filtering image into clear or cloudy (Long and DeLuisi, 1998;Long et al, 2006b) Cloud fraction from LW radiation cflw (7) APCADA algorithm (Durr and Philipona, 2004) Cloud fraction from SW radiation cfsw (8) Long et al (2006a) Surface upward sensible, W m −2 hfss (13) (14) Derived from fluctuations of heat and moisture covariances with respect to vertical wind velocity (Brutsaert, 1982;Panofsky and Dutton, 1984) Variances and covariances rotated to streamwise coordinate for flux computation (Kaimal and Finnigan, 1994) Corrections for sonic virtual temperature (Schotanus et al, 1983) and density correction for latent heat flux (Webb et al, 1980) Total GPS water vapor, kg m −2 iwv (19) Businger et al (1996) Liquid water content, g m −2 lwp (20) Brightness temperature at 23.8 and 31.4 GHz + input from temperature and humidity sensors (Bosisio and Mallet, 1998 several temperature spikes (0.6 • C within 1 min for ground at −5 cm) are detected and we reject the data when the increase reaches +3 • C and the decrease −4 • C within 15 min (i.e., +0.2 and −0.27 • C for 1 min resolution). The unphysical persistence in time of the measured values are detected by verifying that the variability within 1 hour is physical, following values in Table 3.…”

Scientific Insights from Four Generations of Lagrangian Smart Balloons in Atmospheric Research*

“…This deficiency was particularly evident in the performance of the six tetroons released during the first Lagrangian experiment when moderate drizzle caused all six tetroons to sink to the ocean surface after only six hours of flight (see Fig. 4b in Businger et al 1996). The early tetroons did not carry any sensors to measure atmospheric variables, such as pressure, temperature, and relative humidity.…”

“…Consequently, with a fixed level of available resources, more data can be obtained on the behavior of the species of interest in this volume than would be obtained if the same resources were uniformly deployed over the entire region of potential interest-an important consideration for long-range studies (Angell 1974). Businger et al (1996) provide a comprehensive review of the application of balloons as markers in a Lagrangian Harrison (1957), Angell (1975), andZak (1981).…”

“…Although Lagrangian models themselves may not be optimal for regulatory purposes, they are invaluable investigative tools for developing an understanding of the processes fundamental to the chemistry and physics of air pollution and the dynamics of storms, an understanding that can only be tested relationship between marine chemistry, aerosols, and clouds, and air-sea exchange (Albrecht et al 1995;Huebert et al 1996a (Businger et al 1996).…”

A continental outbreak of air during the Second Aerosol Characterization Experiment (ACE 2): A Lagrangian experiment

“…The Central to the ACE experiments, and in particular to the observation of the time evolution of aerosol properties, is the concept of Lagrangian experiments [Huebert et al, 1996]. In such experiments a marine boundary layer air parcel is tagged using one or several constant-altitude balloons [Businger et al, 1996]. These are then followed for 1-2 days by one or several research aircraft.…”