Measurements of Trace Gases using Tunable Diode Lasers during the 1988 Polarstern Cruise and Intercomparisons with Other Methods

Measurements of NO2, HCHO, and H2O2 were made by the highly specific method of mid infra-red absorption spectroscopy using tunable diode lasers (TDLAS) during the 1988 Polarstern expedition. The TDLAS data are compared to those obtained during the cruise using less direct methods. Southern Hemisphere NO2 levels suggest nett photochemical destruction of O3 in the boundary layer. Northern Hemisphere HCHO averaged 0.47±0.2 ppbv; the HCHO measurements are used in a simple calculation to estimate OH noontime maxima of 3–6×106 cm-3.