Comparison of stratospheric clouds in the Antarctic and the Artic

Journal Article · Fri Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1989 · Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/GL016i012p01429· OSTI ID:5609907

Hofmann, D J; Deshler, T

Balloonborne measurements of stratospheric clouds using optical particle counters in the Arctic and the Antarctic are compared in terms of particle size distribution. There appear to be two distinct classes of particles, a small mode (r {ge} 0.2 {mu}m) in which fewer than 1% of the available condensation nuclei have grown. The latter particles appear in thin layers (0.1 to 0.3 km) while former appear in relatively thicker layers (2 to 5 km). Temperatures dictate a nitric acid trihydrate composition for most of the layers and the inferred HNO{sub 3} vapor in the large particles is comparable to that available. While the small particle mode is probably related to fast cooling events such as those associated with mountain lee waves, the origin of the thin layers of large particles is not apparent.

• OSTI ID: 5609907
• Journal Information: Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (USA), Journal Name: Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (USA) Vol. 16:12; ISSN GPRLA; ISSN 0094-8276
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540110*
AEROSOLS
AIRSHIPS
ANTARCTIC REGIONS
ARCTIC REGIONS
BALLOONS
CLOUDS
COLLOIDS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DISPERSIONS
DISTRIBUTION
DROPLETS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
FLUIDS
GASES
HYDRATES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INORGANIC ACIDS
NITRIC ACID
PARTICLE SIZE
PARTICLES
PARTICULATES
POLAR REGIONS
SIZE
SOLS
STRATOSPHERE
VAPORS
WATER VAPOR