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Composition of Polar Stratospheric Clouds from Infrared SpectroscopyHeterogeneous reactions on polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) have recently been implicated in Arctic and Antarctic ozone destruction. Although the chemistry is well documented, the composition of the clouds remains uncertain. The most common PSCs (type I) are thought to be composed of HNO3/H2O mixtures. Although the exact process is not clear, type I PSCs are believed to nucleate on preexisting stratospheric sulfate aerosols (SSAs) composed of sulfuric acid and water. We are using infrared spectroscopy to study the composition and formation mechanism of type I PSCs. In the laboratory, we have used FTIR spectroscopy to probe the composition and phase of H2SO4/HNO3/H2O aerosols under winter polar stratospheric conditions. We have also used recently measured infrared optical constants for HNO3/H2O mixtures to analyze solar infrared extinction measurements of type I PSCs obtained in September 1987 over Antarctica. The results of these studies will be discussed in the context of current theories for polar stratospheric clouds formation.
Document ID
20020034934
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Tolbert, M. A.
(Colorado Univ. Boulder, CO United States)
Anthony, S. E.
(Colorado Univ. Boulder, CO United States)
Disselkamp, R.
(Colorado Univ. Boulder, CO United States)
Toon, O. B.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Condon, Estelle P.
Date Acquired
August 20, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1995
Subject Category
Geophysics
Meeting Information
Meeting: American Chemical Society Meeting
Location: Chicago, IL
Country: United States
Start Date: August 19, 1995
End Date: August 23, 1995
Sponsors: American Chemical Society
Funding Number(s)
PROJECT: RTOP 146-10-03-47
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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