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Title: A reanalysis of carbonyl sulfide as a source of stratospheric background sulfur aerosol

Journal Article · · Journal of Geophysical Research
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/95JD00275· OSTI ID:159757
;  [1]
  1. Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA (United States)

The authors present an analysis of carbonyl sulfide (OCS) in the earth`s atmosphere, with the objective being to assess its role in the formation of sulfate aerosols in the stratosphere. They review the amount of OCS in the atmosphere, its distribution between the troposphere and stratosphere, the estimated source term for emission to the atmosphere, and from one-dimensional model calculations infer a stratospheric lifetime to photochemical reactions of ten years. Calculations infer a sulfur production rate from OCS oxidation which is a factor of 2 to 5 less than recent sulfur aerosol estimates would infer. They discuss a number of possible explanations for the discrepancy.

OSTI ID:
159757
Journal Information:
Journal of Geophysical Research, Vol. 100, Issue D5; Other Information: PBD: 20 May 1995
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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