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Evolution of Peroxyacetyl Nitrate (PAN) in wildfire smoke plumes detected by the Cross-Track Infrared Sounder (CrIS) over the western U.S. during summer 2018.
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  • Julieta F. Juncosa Calahorrano,
  • Vivienne H. Payne,
  • Susan Kulawik,
  • Bonne Ford,
  • Frank Flocke,
  • Teresa L Campos,
  • Emily V Fischer
Julieta F. Juncosa Calahorrano
Colorado State University

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Vivienne H. Payne
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology
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Susan Kulawik
NASA Ames Research Center
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Bonne Ford
Colorado State University
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Frank Flocke
National Center for Atmospheric Research (UCAR)
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Teresa L Campos
National Center for Atmospheric Research (UCAR)
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Emily V Fischer
Colorado State University
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Abstract

We use new peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) observations from the Cross-Track Infrared Sounder (CrIS) on the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership satellite to investigate PAN over the western U.S. during the summer 2018 North American wildfire season. This period coincides with the Western Wildfire Experiment for Cloud Chemistry, Aerosol Absorption, and Nitrogen (WE-CAN). When combined with favorable background conditions, the resolution and sensitivity of CrIS is sufficient to observe PAN production in plumes. CrIS PAN normalized excess mixing ratios (NEMRs) in the Pole Creek Fire increase from 0.2% to 0.4% within 3-4 hours of physical aging, consistent with NEMRs calculated from WE-CAN observations. CrIS is also able to detect PAN and CO enhancements in plumes that have been transported hours to days downwind. On average for the study period, 24-56% of PAN in the free troposphere during the afternoon over the western U.S. can be attributed to fires.