Changes in the character of Polar stratospheric clouds over Antarctica in 1992 due to the Pinatubo volcanic aerosol

Journal Article · Tue Feb 15 04:00:00 EST 1994 · Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/94GL00072· OSTI ID:7113484

Deshler, T; Johnson, B J; Rozier, W R ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Wyoming, Laramie, WY (United States)

Vertical profiles of aerosol concentration were measured on 8 occasions from McMurdo Station, Antarctica (78[degrees]S), between late August and early October 1992. Polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) were observed on 6 of these soundings. The characteristics of PSCs, and ozone, were quite different above and below about 16 km. Above 16 km PSCs were variable in time, with particles > 1.0 [mu]m radius contributing significantly to the surface area, generally < 8 [mu]m[sup 2] cm[sup [minus]3]. Below 16 km PSCs were much more stable and were dominated by high concentrations of smaller particles, < 1.0 [mu]m, with surface areas of 20-30 [mu]m[sup 2] cm[sup [minus]3]. This lower layer coincided with the altitude of the primary Pinatubo volcanic aerosol as measured in mid September and October, and with the 4 km region of the atmosphere where ozone was virtually completed destroyed over Antarctica in 1992. 12 refs., 4 figs.

• OSTI ID: 7113484
• Journal Information: Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States), Journal Name: Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States) Vol. 21:4; ISSN GPRLAJ; ISSN 0094-8276
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540120* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring &amp; Transport-- (1990-)
AEROSOLS
ALTITUDE
ANTARCTIC REGIONS
ANTARCTICA
CLOUDS
COLLOIDS
CRYOSPHERE
DISPERSIONS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
FLUIDS
GASES
POLAR REGIONS
SOLS
STABILITY
STRATOSPHERE
VOLCANIC GASES