Atmospheric Measurement Techniques Discussions
www.atmos-meas-tech-discuss.net
1867-8610
2
5
2009
10.5194/amtd-2-2347-2009
http://www.atmos-meas-tech-discuss.net/2/2347/2009/
http://www.atmos-meas-tech-discuss.net/2/2347/2009/amtd-2-2347-2009.html
http://www.atmos-meas-tech-discuss.net/2/2347/2009/amtd-2-2347-2009.pdf
2347
2375
2009-10-02
A low power automated MAX-DOAS instrument for the Arctic and other remote unmanned locations
D. Carlson
D. Donohoue
U. Platt
W. R. Simpson
wrsimpson@alaska.edu
Geophysical Institute and Department of Chemistry, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, AK 99775-6160, USA
Institut für Umweltphysik, Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
Multiple Axis Differential Optical Absorption Spectrometer (MAX-DOAS) systems are inherently
very simple instruments, which have been shown to provide extremely useful information about
a wide variety of environmental parameters. In order to exploit the potential of the
technique we have developed a new field-deployable MAX-DOAS system that is automated and
uses little power (<3 W). This new instrument utilizes a fully enclosed scan head
that protects all moving parts and optics from harsh environments. Instrument diagnostics,
such as tilt monitoring and frost accumulation detection and removal, are integrated into
the main data acquisition program, which then acts to remedy problems that were
discovered. This full automation and data quality checking make this instrument ideal for
long-term deployment at remote, unmanned locations around the world, such as in polar
regions or in the monitoring of trace gas emissions from volcanoes. This instrument was
recently integrated into an ice-tethered autonomous buoy and tested in Elson Lagoon, near
Barrow, Alaska to monitor halogen chemistry in the Arctic. During this investigation
differential slant column densities (dSCDs) of BrO up to 6×10<sup>14</sup> molecules/cm<sup>2</sup> were observed. Typical spectral fit residual RMS optical
densities were less than 6×10<sup>−4</sup> for solar zenith angles (SZA) < 80° and a 6-min integration time. Here we describe the design concepts and
performance of this new MAX-DOAS instrument through detailed analyses of spectral quality,
power usage, possible instrument response biases, and typical instrument operations.
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