TORERO

Scientific Objective

The scientific objective of the TORERO project was to study the release, transport and fate of reactive halogen gases and oxidized VOCs, and their effect on the atmospheric oxidation capacity in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean during the season of high biological ocean productivity. The project timeframe was coincident with complementary research vessel projects in the same area, however TORERO science was not dependent on concurrent ship operations.

Facilities

The project utilized the NSF/GV aircraft to fly at several altitudes collecting remote sensing and in-situ data. The GV was based in San José, Costa Rica and deployed to approximately 105°W longitude. An early campaign, forward deployment to Antofagasta in central Chile to study the Southern Ocean during three flights also took place before ferrying to San José for the remaining 4 weeks of the deployment.

TORERO utilized the GV capabilities very well both in terms of the wide altitude envelope and long operating range that were required to reach the project's objectives. Some compromises had to be made to accommodate the desired payload, and payload support during forward deployments was limited.