Detection of El Chichon volcanic aerosol in the antarctic stratosphere

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1984 · Antarct. J. U.S.; (United States)

OSTI ID:7120376

Hofmann, D J; Rosen, J M

Following four major volcanic eruptions during the period from 1980 to 1982, culminating in that of El Chichon in Mexico in April 1982, the authors observed that sulfuric acid aerosol levels increased dramatically in the northern hemisphere. In addition, measurements at Laramie, Wyoming indicated that sulfuric acid condensation nuclei (radius equals approximately 0.01 micrometer) were being formed at altitudes of about 30 kilometers in the Arctic, well aster the eruptions. It was theorized that these nuclei were formed from volcanically derived sulfuric acid vapor during large, rapid temperature variations in the polar region, such as those that occur during the winter-spring season. In 1983 the authors proposed to return to Antarctica and conduct a single sounding at McMurdo as early in the summer season as possible. The purpose was twofold. First, they wanted to find out to what extent the El Chichon aerosol had reached the antarctic stratosphere, and second, they wanted to determine whether the proposed mechanism for aerosol production at 30 kilometers was operative over the Antarctic during the corresponding season (winter-spring). To do this in a single sounding, the largest balloon ever used in Antarctica (7230-cubic-meter volume) had to be launched under what was expected to be adverse weather conditions.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Wyoming, Laramie
• OSTI ID: 7120376
• Journal Information: Antarct. J. U.S.; (United States), Journal Name: Antarct. J. U.S.; (United States) Vol. 19:5; ISSN AJUSA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

500200* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
58 GEOSCIENCES
580202 -- Geophysics-- Volcanology-- (1980-1989)
AEROSOL MONITORING
AEROSOLS
AIR POLLUTION MONITORING
ANTARCTIC REGIONS
ANTARCTICA
COLLOIDS
CONDENSATION NUCLEI
DISPERSIONS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
FEDERAL REGION VIII
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INORGANIC ACIDS
MONITORING
NORTH AMERICA
POLAR REGIONS
SOLS
STRATOSPHERE
SULFURIC ACID
USA
VOLCANOES
WYOMING