In-situ measurements of changes in stratospheric aerosol and the N[sub 2]O-aerosol relationship inside and outside of the polar vortex

Journal Article · Fri Nov 19 04:00:00 EST 1993 · Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/93GL01694· OSTI ID:5108381

Borrmann, S; Dye, J E; Baumgardner, D; Barr, K S ^[1]; Wilson, J C; Jonsson, H H; Brock, C A ^[2]; Loewenstein, M; Podolske, J R; Ferry, G V ^[3]

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1. National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, CO (United States)
2. Univ. of Denver, CO (United States)
3. NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA (United States)

Two optical particle counters on the ER-2, together covering a particle size diameter range from 0.1 [mu]m to 23 [mu]m, were used to measure the aerosol bulk quantities integral number, aerosol surface and volume, as well as detailed size distributions inside and outside of the polar vortex in the lower stratosphere. While AASE I (Arctic Airborne Stratospheric Expedition), (Dec. 88-Feb. 89) was conducted in a period of relative volcanic quiescence, enhancements in aerosol number, surface and volume of factors around 10, 25 and 100 were observed during AASE II (Aug. 91-Mar. 92) due to the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo. The changes in these bulk quantities as well as in the size distributions measured both outside and inside the polar vortex are presented and compared with those obtained in polar stratospheric cloud events (AASE I). Except for a shift towards larger aerosol mixing ratios the general shape of correlograms between the measured N[sub 2]O and particle mixing ratios remain similar before and after the eruption. Similar correlograms are used to interpret data from vertical profiles inside and outside of the polar vortex. 13 refs., 5 figs., 1 tab.

• OSTI ID: 5108381
• Journal Information: Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States), Journal Name: Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States) Vol. 20:22; ISSN GPRLAJ; ISSN 0094-8276
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540120* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
AEROSOLS
ARCTIC REGIONS
CHALCOGENIDES
COLLOIDS
CORRELATIONS
CRYOSPHERE
DISPERSIONS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
FLUIDS
GASES
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN OXIDES
NITROUS OXIDE
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLAR REGIONS
SOLS
STRATOSPHERE
VOLCANIC GASES