DOAS spectroscopy onboard the CARIBIC passenger aircraft – trace gas concentration, and flux measurement of localized sources

This thesis deals with the remote sensing and the flux calculation of atmospheric trace gases, using Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (DOAS). Since 2010, within the CARIBIC project (Civil Aircraft for the Regular Investigation of the atmosphere Based on an Instrument Container), a new DOAS instrument is installed in the cargo compartment of a passenger aircraft once per month as part of a fully automated measurement container. With this instrument, nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfphur dioxide (SO2), bromine oxide (BrO), nitrous acid (HONO), formaldehyde (HCHO) and ozone (O3) are measured. The results of these measurements are presented with focus on SO2 and NO2, which were observed in the downwind plumes of large industrial plants and cities. Using flux calculations, the emission of SO2 from a nickel smelter in Norilsk (Siberia) and the NO2 emission of the city of Paris are estimated. Thereby, the uncertainty factors are discussed and comparison with satellite data are performed. The question is dealt with, whether such calculations can be used to quantify further emission sources using similar instruments onboard additional passenger aircraft