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Instrument

WAS
Whole Air Sampler

The Whole Air Sampler (WAS) is an airborne in-situ instrument that collects samples of air for analysis of trace gases, such as nonmethane hydrocarbons (NMHCs), Halocarbons, Alkyl Nitrates, and various sulfur compounds that are present in the troposphere. Air samples collected via the WAS then undergo gas chromatography and mass spectrometry to determine which gasses are present in the sample. The WAS collects samples every minute, which enables scientists to get a clear picture of the chemical composition of the environment as research aircraft pass through.

an image of the WAS from the SEAC4RS campaign
NASA's DC-8 flying laboratory passes Antarctica's tallest peak, Mount Vinson, on Oct. 22, 2012, during a flight over the continent to measure changes in the massive ice sheet and sea ice. Credit: NASA/Michael Studinger (Photography courtesy NASA Images)

Instrument Details

Sampler
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Chemistry > Carbon And Hydrocarbon Compounds > Non-methane Hydrocarbons/volatile Organic Compounds
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Chemistry > Sulfur Compounds > Dimethyl Sulfide
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Chemistry > Halocarbons And Halogens > Halocarbons
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Chemistry > Sulfur Compounds > Carbonyl Sulfide
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Aerosols > Nitrate Particles
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Chemistry > Trace Gases/trace Species
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Chemistry
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Chemistry > Sulfur Compounds
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Chemistry > Halocarbons And Halogens
Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Chemistry > Carbon And Hydrocarbon Compounds
Troposphere
1 min
N/A
N/A
https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-10-291-2017External Link
Logo for Operation IceBridge
IceBridge

Operation IceBridge

2009—2021
Greenland, Antarctica, Alaska, Arctic Sea
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37 Deployments
· 79 Data Products
ACCENT

Atmospheric Chemistry of Combustion Emissions Near the Tropopause

1999—2000
Southern United States
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3 Deployments
· 0 Data Products
SOLVE

SAGE III Ozone Loss and Validation Experiment

1999—2003
Arctic, Kiruna, Sweden
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2 Deployments
· 32 Data Products

Filter data products from this instrument by specific campaigns, platforms, or formats.

Campaigns
CAMPAIGNS
Platforms
PLATFORMS
Formats
FORMATS
10.3334/ORNLDAAC/1581External Link
10.3334/ORNLDAAC/1751External Link
10.3334/ORNLDAAC/1729External Link
10.3334/ORNLDAAC/1788External Link
10.5067/ASDC/SUBORBITAL/SONEX_TraceGas_AircraftInSitu_DC8_Data_1External Link
10.5067/ASDC/SUBORBITAL/SONEX_Merge_DC8_Data_1External Link