The climatology of slow and fast air mass transport towards Rukomechi research station in northern Zimbabwe (16.1°S, 29.4°E) is examined through an analysis of 5-day kinematic back trajectories arriving at 1180 m above ground level (~850 hPa) for the period 1994-99. The trajectories are computed daily by the HYSPLIT 4 model using the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's re-analysed wind fields as input. Objective classification of trajectories into different flow regimes is done using a non-hierarchical cluster algorithm that is applied to all the trajectories at once, to examine the temporal and spatial characteristics. The synoptic-scale atmospheric circulation associated with each cluster was also studied. Four major transport corridors and seven large-scale flows were found to provide an indication of source regions of the air masses and transport pathways influencing Rukomechi. The dominant transport features include (1) the late dry season to wet season eastern air flows that contribute 35% of the total flow and which are driven by an anticyclone that wraps around the subcontinent and stretches into the Mozambique Channel, (2) the late wet season to dry season southeastern pathway that accounts for 44% of the total flow and is associated with the South Atlantic anticyclone and the tropical depression in the Indian Ocean, (3) the fast (11 m s-1) dry season southern flow (contributes 8%) that is driven by a continental anticyclone over South Africa coupled to a South Atlantic anticyclone, and (4) the north-northwesterly flow that contributes 6% to the total flow and is associated with the Intertropical Convergence Zone. A further, very slow (1.8 m s-1) flow regime, consisting of regionally re-circulated air results from regional differential heating at the surface. Concentrations of particulate mass, measured during 1994-2000 at the Rukomechi site, are shown to be significantly correlated with the occurrence of those seven large-scale flows, which have been identified by objective trajectory classification. High particulate mass concentrations are associated only with air masses carried along the fast easterly flow, the slow southeasterly flow and the southerly flow (dry season flows); low particulate mass concentrations are exclusively found with wet season flows.

Medidas de concentração de dióxido de carbono (CO2) foram realizadas em uma área de pastagem no município de Ouro Preto do Oeste/RO (Fazenda Nossa Senhora Aparecida), no período de 15/04 - 21/05/1999, período característico na região como sendo de transição entre a estação chuvosa para a seca. O período diurno é o principal responsável pelo consumo de CO2 devido à realização da fotossíntese pelas plantas, enquanto no período noturno a respiração das plantas e dos microorganismos vivos responsáveis pela decomposição da matéria morta, liberam CO2 para atmosfera. As concentrações de CO2 tiveram valores acima de 500 ppmv entre 23:00 e 06:00 horas com um máximo de 533 ±106 ppmv aproximadamente às 02:00 horas, como também apresentaram valores mínimos abaixo de 400 ppmv entre 9:00 e 17:00 horas com mínimo de 367 ± 8 ppmv aproximadamente às 15:00 horas. Foram feitas várias comparações entre a concentração de CO2 e algumas variáveis meteorológicas na busca de explicações para o ciclo diário da concentração de CO2, onde existe uma relação entre e a baixa velocidade do vento noturno e a concentração de CO2 que alcança valores superiores a 800 ppmv.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) mixing ratios were continuously measured at a pasture site (Fazenda Nossa Senhora Aparecida) near Ouro Preto D'Oeste/RO during the period 15 April to 21 May 1999. This period corresponds to the transition between the wet to the dry season in this region. Photosynthesis by the vegetation of the pasture is the main sink for atmospheric CO2 during daylight. During nighttime soil and plant respiration are a source for atmospheric CO2. Our results show a marked diurnal cycle of mean CO2 mixing ratios. Mean mixing ratios above 500 ppmv are reached between 23:00 and 6:00 local time with a maximum of 533 ± 106 ppmv around 02:00 Values stay well below 400 ppmv between 9:00 and 17:00 and reach a minimum of 367 ± 8 ppmv around 15:00. Individual measurements performed during nights with low wind speeds especially show elevated CO2 mixing ratios which might reach up to 800 ppmv.

Mecanismos de vento local, tal como as brisas, influenciam o transporte e dispersão dos gases. Medidas da direção do vento e concentração de ozônio (O3) à 10 metros de altura foram realizadas durante a execução do projeto LBA/CLAIRE-2001 (Large Scale Biosphere-Atmosphere Experiment in Amazônia / Cooperative LBA Airbone Regional Experiment - 2001), no período de 02 a 28.07.2001, nas dependências do Laboratório de Limnologia (01º 55' S, 59º28' W, 174 m) pertencente à Usina Hidrelétrica de Balbina, Amazonas. O lago artificial tem uma área de 2.360 km², sendo suficientemente grande para estabelecer um regime de brisas. As brisas de lago e floresta apresentam-se de forma bem definidas, sendo que a brisa de lago fica melhor caracterizada no período mais quente do dia (10 às 14 horas), enquanto a brisa de floresta evidencia-se no período de 16 às 08 horas com o resfriamento radiativo mais intenso da floresta, o que acarreta um forte contraste térmico. Enquanto isso, a concentração média diária (24 h) de O3 foi de 8,7 ppbv com média de 10,6 ppbv no período diurno e 3,5 ppbv no período noturno. Os resultados também indicaram que quando a brisa é de lago, mesmo a noturna, a concentração de O3 é muito maior do que correspondente a concentração referente a brisa de floresta.

Local wind systems, such as sea or lake breezes, strongly affect the transport and dispersion of atmospheric trace gases. Based on its size and location, the artificial lake of Balbina in the Amazon - can be expected to give rise to a lake/forest breeze regime. During the period 2 to 28 July 2002, within the LBA/CLAIRE-2001 experiment, we have continually measured the ozone concentrations (O3) and the wind directions close to the Balbina dam. We found that there is indeed a well established breeze system, with lake breezes prevailing during mid-day (10 to 14 LT) while forest breezes prevail from the afternoon to early morning (16 to 8 LT). During the latter period radioactive cooling in the forest creates a strong local thermal contrast. The average daily ozone concentration was 8.7 ppbv, with an average of 10.6 ppbv during the day, and 3.5 ppbv at night. When local winds came from the lake, even at night, ozone concentrations were greater compared to breezes coming from the forest.