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Volcanoes, Polar Clouds and Arctic OzoneSatellite observations and model calculations show 5 to 10% local column ozone loss in some tropical and mid latitude locations, following El Chichon and Mount Pinatubo eruptions. The rapid deepening of the Antarctic ozone hole in the early 1980s has also been partially attributed to chemistry on volcanic aerosols from a number of large eruptions. Here the effects of volcanoes on Arctic polar processes are explored. Large polar stratospheric cloud particles that cause denitrification cannot form in a volcanically perturbed environment. Denitrification can increase Arctic ozone loss by up to 30% in a future colder climate. However, we show that enhanced chemical processing on volcanic aerosols can increase Arctic ozone loss in a cold year by about 60% independent of denitrification. A coupled chemistry-microphysics model is used to show that widespread distribution of volcanic aerosols in 2000 could have caused severe springtime ozone depletion in the Arctic stratosphere. While, volcanic aerosols can strongly affect the current Arctic column ozone abundance in a cold year, denitrification effects on ozone can only become important in a much colder lower stratosphere.
Document ID
20020009767
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Tabazadeh, Azadeh
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Gore, Warren J.
Date Acquired
August 20, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2001
Subject Category
Environment Pollution
Meeting Information
Meeting: Gordon Research Conference
Location: Newport, RI
Country: United States
Start Date: June 16, 2001
End Date: June 22, 2001
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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