Infrared absorption by volcanic stratospheric aerosols observed by ISAMS

Journal Article · Fri Jun 18 04:00:00 EDT 1993 · Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/93GL00823· OSTI ID:6063839

Grainger, R G; Lambert, A; Taylor, F W; Remedios, J J; Rodgers, C D; Corney, M ^[1]; Kerridge, B J ^[2]

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1. Univ. of Oxford (United Kingdom)
2. Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (United Kingdom)

The upper atmosphere research satellite was lofted shortly after the Mt. Pinatubo volcano erupted, and is estimated to have injected 20 million metric tons of sulphur dioxide into the stratosphere. This gas typically is converted to sulphuric acid by interactions with water droplets in the stratosphere. These droplets are typically not saturated in acid density, so the sticking fraction is very high. The improved stratospheric and mesospheric sounder makes measurements in 14 infrared channels from 4 to 17 [mu]m. The authors have used the available infrared data channels to model the distribution and density of sulfuric acid aerosols in the stratospheric band about the equator as a result of this volcanic eruption. Knowing the spectral properties of the aerosol load will aid in modeling the radiative and climatic impacts of this volcanic ejecta.

• OSTI ID: 6063839
• Journal Information: Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States), Journal Name: Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States) Vol. 20:12; 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
CHALCOGENIDES
COLLOIDS
DISPERSIONS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ERUPTION
FLUIDS
GASES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INFRARED RADIATION
INORGANIC ACIDS
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RADIATIONS
SOLS
STRATOSPHERE
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SULFUR DIOXIDE
SULFUR OXIDES
SULFURIC ACID
VOLCANIC GASES