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Instrument

WAS
Whole Air Sampler

The Whole Air Sampler (WAS) is an airborne in-situ instrument that collects air samples for analyzing trace gases, such as nonmethane hydrocarbons (NMHCs), halocarbons, alkyl nitrates, and various sulfur compounds found in the troposphere. Air samples collected by the WAS are then analyzed using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry to identify the gases present. The WAS collects samples every minute, allowing scientists to get a clear picture of the environment's chemical composition 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
MILAGRO

Megacity Initiative: Local and Global Research Observations

2006
Mexico City Metropolitan Area
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1 Deployment
· 0 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
MILAGRO

Megacity Initiative: Local and Global Research Observations

2006
Mexico City Metropolitan Area
view all deployment dates
1 Deployment
· 0 Data Products
MILAGRO

Megacity Initiative: Local and Global Research Observations

2006
Mexico City Metropolitan Area
view all deployment dates
1 Deployment
· 0 Data Products
MILAGRO

Megacity Initiative: Local and Global Research Observations

2006
Mexico City Metropolitan Area
view all deployment dates
1 Deployment
· 0 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
10.5067/ASDC_DAAC/ATTREX/0003External Link