Polar stratospheric clouds observed by lidar at McMurdo Station during the 1993 winter
- Istituto Fisica dell`Atmosfera, Rome (Italy)
- Energia e Ambients, Rome (Italy)
Since 1990, a lidar system has been operating at McMurdo Station (78{degrees}S 167{degrees}E) during the local spring. In 1993, it performed measurements between 1 March and 10 October. The lidar can monitor the presence of clouds by measuring the light backscattered from the atmosphere. After system calibration, the received signal is compared with the one expected from an atmosphere not containing particles. On such a basis, a parameter called backscattering ratio, R, is calculated. When particles are not present R is 1. Any value larger than 1 is related to the presence of particles. Lidar can be used to monitor clouds in the lower stratosphere (polar stratospheric clouds - PSCs- or volcanic clouds). PSCs have an important role in the heterogeneous chemistry of the polar stratosphere, and their presence is strictly linked with the `ozone hole`. During the 1993 winter and spring, the antarctic stratosphere still presented a measurable amount of volcanic aerosol from the Mount Pinatubo eruption. The volcanic aerosols facilitated the formation of PSCs observed during the 1993 winter because they need condensation nuclei to form. 3 refs., 2 figs.
- OSTI ID:
- 181810
- Journal Information:
- Antarctic Journal of the United States, Journal Name: Antarctic Journal of the United States Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 29; ISSN AJUSAF; ISSN 0003-5335
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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