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Growth of nitric acid hydrates on thin sulfuric acid filmsType I polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) are thought to nucleate and grow on stratospheric sulfate aerosols (SSAs). To model this system, thin sulfuric acid films were exposed to water and nitric acid vapors (1-3 x 10(exp -4) Torr H2O and 1-2.5 x 10(exp -6) Torr HNO3) and subjected to cooling and heating cycles. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to probe the phase of the sulfuric acid and to identify the HNO3/H2O films that condensed. Nitric acid trihydrate (NAT) was observed to grow on crystalline sulfuric acid tetrahydrate (SAT) films. NAT also condensed in/on supercooled H2SO4 films without causing crystallization of the sulfuric acid. This growth is consistent with NAT nucleation from ternary solutions as the first step in PSC formation.
Document ID
19950033085
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Iraci, Laura T.
(Univ. of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO United States)
Middlebrook, Ann M.
(Univ. of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO United States)
Wilson, Margaret A.
(Univ. of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO United States)
Tolbert, Margaret A.
(Univ. of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO United States)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
May 15, 1994
Publication Information
Publication: Geophysical Research Letters
Volume: 21
Issue: 10
ISSN: 0094-8276
Subject Category
Environment Pollution
Accession Number
95A64684
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG2-760
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF ATM-92-96067
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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