Decade of stratospheric sulfate measurements compared with observations of volcanic eruptions

Journal Article · Wed Apr 20 04:00:00 EST 1983 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JC088iC06p03741· OSTI ID:5765691

Sedlacek, W A; Mroz, E J; Lazrus, A L; Gandrud, B W

Sulfate aerosol concentrations in the stratosphere have been measured for 11 years (1971--1981) using portions of filters collected by the Department of Energy's High Altitude Sampling Program. Data collected seasonally at altitudes between 13 km and 20 km spanning latitudes from 75 /sup 0/N to 51 /sup 0/S are reported. These data are compared with the reported altitudes of volcanic eruption plumes during the same decade. From this comparison it is concluded that (1) several unreported volcanic eruptions or eruptions to altitudes higher than reported did occur during the decade, (2) the e-fold removal time for sulfate aerosol from the stratosphere following the eruption of Volcan Fuego in 1974 was 11.2 +- 1.2 months, (3) the volcanic contribution to the average stratospheric sulfate concentration over the decade was greater than 50%, and (4) there may be evidence for an anthropogenic contribution to stratospheric sulfate that increases at the rate of 6 to 8% per year.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87544
• OSTI ID: 5765691
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 88:C6; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

500200* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AEROSOLS
AIR POLLUTION
COLLOIDS
DISPERSIONS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
GEOGRAPHICAL VARIATIONS
LATITUDE EFFECT
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
RESPONSE MODIFYING FACTORS
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
SOLS
STRATOSPHERE
SULFATES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
VARIATIONS
VOLCANOES