The potential effects of volcanic aerosols on cirrus cloud microphysics

Journal Article · Fri Sep 04 04:00:00 EDT 1992 · Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/92GL01936· OSTI ID:5150532

Jensen, E J; Toon, O B ^[1]

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1. NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA (United States)

The potential impact of volcanic aerosols on nucleation of ice crystals in upper tropospheric cirrus clouds is examined from a microphysical perspective. The sulfuric acid aerosols which form in the stratosphere are presumably transported into the troposphere by sedimentation and tropopause folding. The tropospheric volcanic aerosol size distribution is estimated from 10 [mu]m lidar backscatter measurements and in situ measurements. Microphysical simulations suggest that at temperatures below about [minus]50[degrees]C the concentration of ice crystals which nucleate may be as much as a factor of 5 larger when volcanic aerosols are present. The author's simulations suggest that the presence of volcanic aerosols may increase the net radiative forcing (surface warming) of certain types of cirrus near the tropopause by as much as 8 W/m[sup 2]. Further observations are required to determine whether these effects actually occur, and their global impact. 22 refs., 3 figs.

• OSTI ID: 5150532
• Journal Information: Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States), Journal Name: Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States) Vol. 19:17; ISSN GPRLAJ; ISSN 0094-8276
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540110*
AEROSOLS
CLOUDS
COLLOIDS
DISPERSIONS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
FLUIDS
GASES
HEATING
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INORGANIC ACIDS
NUCLEATION
SOLAR HEATING
SOLS
SULFURIC ACID
TROPOSPHERE
VOLCANIC GASES