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Extraterrestrial halogen and sulfur contents of the stratosphereInterplanetary dust represents a potential source of environmentally important chemical species in the earth's atmosphere. Previous studies have used computational models of atmospheric evolution of meteor debris to conclude that the steady-state stratospheric component of extraterrestrial matter is a small fraction of the total aerosol load. Observational data suggest such calculations may underestimate stratospheric residence times and, thus, concentrations. Two computational methods were employed here to obtain reasonable limits for the stratospheric contents of halogens and sulfur from extraterrestrial sources. The lower limit was based on the total stratospheric aerosol load and the relative influxes from interplanetary dust and tropospheric sources. The upper limit was obtained using a viscous settling method. These results suggest that the steady-state extraterrestrial influxes of halogens are minor compared to tropospheric sources but the sulfur input may be comparable to the present observed stratospheric content. Temporal enhancements in the meteoroid flux, such as passage through comet debris lanes or impact by large bodies, may produce significant chemical perturbations in the atmosphere.
Document ID
19900046431
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Sutton, S. R.
(Chicago, University IL; Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY, United States)
Flynn, G. J.
(New York, State University Plattsburgh, United States)
Date Acquired
August 14, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1990
Subject Category
Geophysics
Meeting Information
Meeting: Lunar and Planetary Science Conference
Location: Houston, TX
Country: United States
Start Date: March 13, 1989
End Date: March 17, 1989
Accession Number
90A33486
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG9-257
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG9-106
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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