Lidar observations of polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs): Implications for the formation of type Ia PSCs
- NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA (United States)
DC-8 lidar observations of Type I PSCs obtained during AASE I on January 11, 1989 are presented. On this day, Type I PSCs were observed over a vast area in the altitude range of about 16 to 23 km between 73{degrees}N and the north pole. Three types of particles were seen by the DC-8 on January 11. The main body of the cloud was composed of large nonspherical particles classed as Type Ia PSCs (nitric acid trihydrate, NAT). The other two types, which occurred with about equal frequency, were composed of either small spherical particles classed as Type Ib PSCs (ternary solutions of H{sub 2}SO{sub 4}/HNO{sub 3}/H{sub 2}O) or small nonspherical particles classed as Type Ic PSCs (probably composed of a dilute solid solution of HNO{sub 3}/H{sub 2}O). The relationship between the temperature histories of air parcels for the locations indicated above and the physical characteristics of the observed Type I PSCs are used to infer a plausible mechanism for the nucleation of NAT particles in the stratosphere. The significance of NAT particle formation to the denitrification process in the Arctic is also discussed.
- OSTI ID:
- 370005
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-960376--
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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