PEM-West A: Aerosol and Trace Gas Data from NASA DC-8 Aircraft, 1991-1994

NASA PEM-West Project in-situ aerosol data collected onboard the DC-8 aircraft during the Pacific Exploratory Mission (PEM) West A and B campaigns. The data feature measurements from Optical Particle Counters (OPC) and ion chromatography, collected as part of the Global Tropospheric Experiment (GTE) from 1983-2001. The specific PEM-West phases were conducted in September-October 1991 and February-March 1994 over the northwestern Pacific region.

Use Cases

• Modeling ozone photochemical production and destruction based on precursor species measurements like O3, NO, and PAN mentioned in the description.
• Analyzing the atmospheric sulfur cycle based on sulfur measurements including DMS, SO2, and COS described in the campaign objectives.
• Studying aerosol microphysical properties and composition based on the described in-situ instrument packages aboard the aircraft.
• Investigating seasonal contrasts in tropospheric outflow from Asia based on data from the two PEM-West phases conducted in different seasons.

Strengths

• Data collection is described as complete, indicating a finalized dataset.
• Campaign utilized a comprehensive suite of in-situ instruments for photochemical precursors and sulfur species, as detailed in the description.
• Provides latitudinal, longitudinal, and vertical profile sampling across the northwestern Pacific.

Limitations

• Row count and dataset size are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.

Provenance

Source

NASA, as part of the Global Tropospheric Experiment (GTE).

Collection Method

In-situ measurements collected onboard the NASA DC-8 aircraft using Optical Particle Counters (OPC), ion chromatography, and other instrument packages.

Time Range

Primary campaign phases: September-October 1991 (PEM-West A) and February-March 1994 (PEM-West B). Part of the broader GTE period from 1983-2001.

Freshness

null

Geography

Northwestern Pacific region, off the eastern coast of Asia.