Ozone response to enhanced heterogeneous processing after the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo

Journal Article · Tue Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1994 · Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/93GL03537· OSTI ID:7234741

Rodrigeuz, J M; Ko, M K.W.; Sze, N D; Heisey, C W ^[1]; Yue, G K; McCormick, M P

---

1. AER, Inc., Cambridge, MA (United States)

Increases in aerosol loading after the Pinatubo eruption are expected to cause additional ozone depletion. Even though aerosol loadings were highest in the winter of 1991-1992, recent analysis of satellite and ground-based ozone measurements indicate that ozone levels in the winter of 1992-1993 are the lowest recorded in recent years, raising the question of the mechanisms responsible for such behavior. The authors have incorporated aerosol surface areas derived from the Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment (II) (SAGE-II) measurements into their two-dimensional model. Inclusion of heterogeneous chemistry on these enhanced aerosol surfaces yields maximum ozone reductions during the winter of 1992-1993 in the Northern Hemisphere, consistent with those derived from observations. This delayed behavior is due to the combination of the non-linear nature of the impact of heterogeneous reactions as a function of aerosol surface area, and the long time constants for ozone in the lower stratosphere. If heterogeneous mechanisms are primarily responsible for the low 1992-1993 ozone levels, the authors expect ozone concentrations to start recovering in 1994. 23 refs., 3 figs., 1 tab.

• OSTI ID: 7234741
• Journal Information: Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States), Journal Name: Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States) Vol. 21:3; 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
ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY
CHEMISTRY
COLLOIDS
DISPERSIONS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
FLUIDS
GASES
NONLINEAR PROBLEMS
OZONE
SOLS
VOLCANIC GASES