Summertime atmospheric ozone measurements above the Gap-Tallard Aerodome, France

Abstract

ASTRACTOzone data are presented which were obtained from seven balloon-borne ECC (Electrochemical Concentration Cell) ozonesonde /radiosonde experiments launched from Gap, France in the Haute Alps between 24 and 27 June 1998. These launches were carried out with the support of the CNES (Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales). Small, 1200 gram balloons were used to provide in situ measurements of ozone, wind speed, wind direction, humidity, temperature and temperature fluctuations. The balloons were launched during the spring/summer transition, a period of minimum upper air winds. The ozone height profiles obtained from the in situ measurements reveal interesting patterns in the ozone concentrations above and below the tropopause level at 12.5 km. There is some evidence that the ozone concentration is affected by wave activity. The balloon data taken over the period from 24 to 27 June 1998 are within 4% to 5% of the TOMS ( Nimbus-7 Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer) data.