Stratospheric cloud micro-layers and small-scale temperature variations in the Arctic in 1989

Journal Article · Thu Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1990 · Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/GL017i004p00369· OSTI ID:5332247

Hofmann, D J ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Wyoming (USA)

Thin layers of large (r {approximately} 2-3 {mu}m) particles were observed in the Arctic between 14 and 27 km on 23 and 30 January 1989. Although the particle mass is consistent with the available HNO{sub 3} vapor, it is not always clear whether the morphology of the layers is the result of recent condensation or evaporation as the layers appear under conditions of both supersaturation and undersaturation with respect to nitric acid trihydrate (NAT). Large amplitude, small vertical scale temperature variations appear to be associated with the layers but not in a simple manner. In regions supersaturated with respect to NAT, condensation on only a few of the available condensation nuclei takes place. Such preferential condensation into thin large particle layers suggests that this class of nuclei may be different than the previously assumed sulfate aerosol nuclei. The possibility that they may be derived from solid fuel rocket effluent and spacecraft ablation products is examined and cannot be excluded. Such a source may explain the appearance of these cloud layers at high altitude.

• OSTI ID: 5332247
• Journal Information: Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States), Journal Name: Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States) Vol. 17:4; ISSN 0094-8276; ISSN GPRLA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540110*
AEROSOLS
ARCTIC REGIONS
ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY
CHEMISTRY
CLOUDS
COLLOIDS
CORRELATIONS
DISPERSIONS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
EVAPORATION
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INORGANIC ACIDS
LAYERS
LOSSES
NITRIC ACID
NUCLEATION
ORIGIN
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
OZONE
OZONE LAYER
PARTICLES
PARTICULATES
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
POLAR REGIONS
SATURATION
SOLS
STRATOSPHERE
SULFATES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
TEMPERATURE GRADIENTS
VAPOR CONDENSATION