Measurement of the tropospheric and stratospheric SO/sub 2/ distribution

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1980 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JC085iC12p07433· OSTI ID:5529164

Georgii, H W; Meixner, F X

The knowledge of the SO/sub 2/ mixing ratio at the tropopause and in the lower stratosphere is necessary for understanding the formation and the existence of the stratospheric aerosol layer. A new chemiluminescence technique permitted the analysis of SO/sub 2/ below 1 ng SO/sub 2//ml reaction liquid. The filter-sampling technique enables a detection limit of (0.01 +- 0.001) parts per billion by volume (ppBv) SO/sub 2/. Comparisons with other methods were performed, and flight application problems are discussed. During 1977 and 1978, several aircraft ascents were performed, reaching up to 5.2 km into the stratosphere. In continental air masses the SO/sub 2/ mixing ratio decreases strongly within the first 5 km, while in maritime air masses a nearly constant mixing ratio with altitude was observed. A mean value of 0.5 ppBv seems to be typical for layers above 6 km, and SO/sub 2/ mixing ratios between 0.03 and 0.17 ppBv SO/sub 2/ were found at the tropopause level, increasing slightly above the tropopause. The experimental results were compared with one-dimensional model calculations.

• OSTI ID: 5529164
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 85:12; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

500200* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CHALCOGENIDES
DIFFUSION
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
MIXING
MONITORING
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
STRATOSPHERE
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFUR DIOXIDE
SULFUR OXIDES
TROPOSPHERE