HR: 1340h
AN: A33B-0904    [Abstracts]
TI: Dependability of Electrochemical Concentration Cell (ECC) Measurements
AU: * Schmidlin, F J
EM: fjs@osb.wff.nasa.gov
AU: Northam, E T
EM: northam@osb.wff.nasa.gov
AU: Baldwin, T M
EM: tony.m.baldwin@nasa.gov
AB: It is known that valid measurements from the Electrochemical Concentration Cell (ECC) ozonesonde instrument depend on the control exercise over the pre-flight preparation procedure. NASA Wallops Flight Facility uses preparation procedures designed to detect anomalies that could interfere with obtaining valid ozone profiles. The major factors considered during preparation of an ECC are pump efficiency calibration, volumetric flow rate check, and maintenance of a low background current. Some pre-flight parameters are provided by the manufacturer; nonetheless, these are reconfirmed before they are used. The ECC, prior to release is compared against a well calibrated UV photometer and the offset applied, if desired. The advantage of this pre-release calibration and recent steps to improve the technique are discussed. Preparation of the ECC instrument begins 3-4 weeks prior to the day of observation and the procedure iterated once a week until release occurs. We briefly describe the instrumental tests employed, discuss the effect of different sensing solution concentrations from dual instrument flights, as well as from improved laboratory tests. Comparison of ECC measurements against surface-(Dobson Spectrophotometer) and space-based (AQUA, AURA, and EP-TOMS) measurements are included in our discussion. We postulate reasons for differences, which, in spite of excellent ozonesonde pre-flight quality control and automated data analysis, may be due to uncertainties in both measuring systems.
DE: 0315 Biosphere/atmosphere interactions (0426, 1610)
DE: 0365 Troposphere: composition and chemistry
DE: 0394 Instruments and techniques
DE: 1616 Climate variability (1635, 3305, 3309, 4215, 4513)
SC: Atmospheric Sciences [A]
MN: Fall Meeting 2005