Decrease of stratospheric NO[sub 2] at 44[degrees]N caused by Pinatubo volcanic aerosols

Journal Article · Wed Sep 15 04:00:00 EDT 1993 · Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/93GL01800· OSTI ID:5733124

Koike, M; Kondo, Y ^[1]; Matthews, W A; Johnston, P V ^[2]; Yamazaki, K ^[3]

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1. Nagoya Univ., Aichi (Japan)
2. National Inst. of Water and Atmospheric Research, Central Otago (New Zealand)
3. Meteorological Research Inst., Ibaraki (Japan)

This paper presents measurements of stratospheric NO[sub 2] made over northern Japan since April 1991. Other work has shown that in the southern hemisphere, following the arival of the SO[sub 2] cloud from the eruption of Mt Pinatubo, there has been a marked decrease in the stratospheric NO[sub 2]levels. Laboratory studies have suggested that heterogeneous reactions on the surfaces of sulfuric acid aerosols can convert NO[sub x] to HNO[sub 3]. This data also shows marked decreases in stratospheric NO[sub 2]. Lidar measurements, and satellite observations show that volcanic aerosols were moving into the stratosphere at 25 km altitudes just prior to the onset of these observed decreases.

• OSTI ID: 5733124
• Journal Information: Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States), Journal Name: Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States) Vol. 20:18; ISSN GPRLAJ; ISSN 0094-8276
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540120* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
AEROSOLS
ASIA
CATALYSIS
CHALCOGENIDES
COLLOIDS
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
DISPERSIONS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
EMISSION
ERUPTION
FLUIDS
GASES
HETEROGENEOUS CATALYSIS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INORGANIC ACIDS
JAPAN
NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
NITROGEN DIOXIDE
NITROGEN OXIDES
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
SOLS
STRATOSPHERE
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFUR DIOXIDE
SULFUR OXIDES
SULFURIC ACID
VOLCANIC GASES