Concentrations and size distributions on Antarctic stratospheric aerosols

Journal Article · Thu Nov 30 04:00:00 EST 1989 · Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JD094iD14p16459· OSTI ID:7129531

Ferry, G V; Pueschel, R F ^[1]; Neish, E ^[2]; Shultz, M ^[3]

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1. NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA (United States)
2. Neish Automation, Steamboat Springs, CO (United States)
3. Sterling Software, Palo Alto, CA (United States)

Particle Measuring Systems laser particle spectrometer (ASAS-X and FSSP) probes were used to measure aerosol particle concentrations and size distributions during 11 out of 12 ER-2 flights between Punta Arenas (53{degree}S) and Antarctica (up to 72{degree}S) from August 17 to September 22, 1987. The time resolution was 10 s, corresponding to a spatial resolution of 2 km. The data were divided into two size classes (0.05-0.25 and 0.53-5.5 {mu}m radius) to separate the small particle from the coarse particle populations. Results show that the small particle concentrations are typical for a background aerosol during volcanic quiescence. This concentration is generally constant along a flight track; in only one instance did the authors measure a depletion of small particles during a polar stratospheric cloud (PSC) encounter, suggesting a nucleation of type I PSC particles on background aerosols. Temporary increases of the coarse particle concentrations indicated the presence of tenuous polar stratospheric clouds that were encountered most frequently at the southernmost portion of a flight track and when the aircraft descended to lower altitudes. During particle events, particle modes were found at 0.6 {mu}m radius, corresponding to type I PSCs, and occasionally, a second mode at 2.0 {mu}m radius, corresponding to type II PSCs.

• OSTI ID: 7129531
• Journal Information: Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States) Vol. 94:D14; ISSN JGREA; ISSN 0148-0227
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290301 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Environment
Health
& Safety-- Regional & Global Environmental Aspects-- (1992-)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540110*
AEROSOLS
AIRCRAFT
ANTARCTIC REGIONS
CLOUDS
COLLOIDS
CONDENSATION NUCLEI
DISPERSIONS
DISTRIBUTION
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
FLUIDS
GASES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INORGANIC ACIDS
LAYERS
MEASURING METHODS
NITRIC ACID
OZONE LAYER
PARTICLE SIZE
POLAR REGIONS
SIZE
SOLS
STRATOSPHERE
VAPORS
WATER VAPOR