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Application of a coupled aerosol formation: Radiative transfer model to climatic studies of aerosolsA sophisticated one dimensional physical-chemical model of the formation and evolution of stratospheric aerosols was used to predict the size and number concentration of the stratospheric aerosols as functions of time and altitude following: a large volcanic eruption; increased addition of carbonyl sulfide (OCS) or sulfur dioxide (SO2) to the troposphere; increased supersonic aircraft (SST) flights in the stratosphere; and, large numbers of space shuttle (SS) flights through the stratosphere. A radiative-convective one dimensional climate sensitivity study, using the results of the aerosol formation model, was performed to assess the ground level climatic significance of these perturbations to the stratospheric aerosol layer. Volcanic eruptions and large OCS or SO2 increases could cause significant climatic changes. Currently projected SS launches and moderate fleets of SST's are unlikely to upset the stratospheric aerosol layer enough to significantly impact climate.
Document ID
19790012504
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Toon, O. B.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Pollack, J. B.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 9, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1979
Publication Information
Publication: NASA. Goddard Space Flight Center 4th NASA Weather and Climate Program Sci. Rev.
Subject Category
Meteorology And Climatology
Accession Number
79N20675
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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