Modeling techniques for Unraveling the Stable Isotopic Composition of Atmospheric trace gases (MUSICA)
Modeling techniques for Unraveling the Stable Isotopic Composition of Atmospheric trace gases:
The intention of this project is to use the isotope composition modelling to identify which isotopic signatures are most critical for the atmospheric tracers, hence need to be known to better address the laboratory kinetics work or field work concerning specific sources. Isotopologues indeed are naturally tagged tracers; moreover, subtle differences in their physical and chemical properties (isotope effects) result in the occurrence of a generally small, but detectable variability in the isotope ratio. We introduce the isotope effects into the comprehensive chemistry mechanism (MECCA) simulated in the ECHAM/MESSy Atmospheric Chemistry model (EMAC). An optimised kinetic chemistry mechanism tagging technique for direct budgeting and isotope tagging purposes is developed. The main aim of subsequent comparisons of the carbon and oxygen stable isotope simulation data with observations is to understand whether the carbon monoxide isotopic composition can provide insights into the atmospheric oxidation capacity in the present and the past.

---

This page was last modified on 10 Jun 2008.