Analysis of the physical state of one Arctic polar stratospheric cloud based on observations

Journal Article · Tue Nov 15 04:00:00 EST 1994 · Geophysical Research Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/94GL02405· OSTI ID:57023

Drdla, K; Tabazadeh, A; Turco, R P; Jacobson, M Z ^[1]; Dye, J H; Twohy, C; Baumgardner, D ^[2]

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1. Univ. of California, Los Angeles, CA (United States)
2. National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, CO (United States)

During the Arctic Airborne Stratospheric Expedition, simultaneous measurements of aerosol size distribution and NO{sub y} (HNO{sub 3} + NO + NO{sub 2} + 2{center_dot}N{sub 2}O{sub 5}) were made along ER-2 flight paths. The flow characteristics of the NO{sub y} instrument allow the authors to derive the condensed NO{sub y} amount (assumed to be HNO{sub 3}) present during polar stratospheric cloud (PSC) events. Analysis of the January 24th flight indicates that this condensed HNO{sub 3} amount does not agree well with the aerosol volume if the observed PSCs are composed of solid nitric acid trihydrate (NAT), as is generally assumed. However, the composition agrees well with that predicted for liquid H{sub 2}SO{sub 4}/HNO{sub 3}/H{sub 2}O solution droplets using a new Aerosol Physical Chemistry Model (APCM). The agreement corresponds in detail to variations in temperature and humidity. The weight percentages of H{sub 2}SO{sub 4}, HNO{sub 3}, and H{sub 2}O derived from the measurements all correspond to those predicted for ternary, liquid solutions. 26 refs., 4 figs.

• OSTI ID: 57023
• Journal Information: Geophysical Research Letters, Journal Name: Geophysical Research Letters Journal Issue: 23 Vol. 21; ISSN GPRLAJ; ISSN 0094-8276
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AEROSOLS
CLOUDS
LIQUIDS
NITRIC ACID
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
POLAR REGIONS
STRATOSPHERE
SULFURIC ACID
WATER