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Aircraft sampling of the sulfate layer near the tropopause following the eruption of Mount St. HelensTwenty filter sampling flights of the NASA Lewis F-106 aircraft were conducted in the Great Lakes region between June 4 and August 8, 1980, following the major eruption of Mount St. Helens, Washington on May 18. The IPC-1478 filters were exposed over an altitude range spanning the local tropopause. Quarter sections were analyzed for sulfate and nitrate by ion chromatography and selected samples were analyzed for chloride by selective ion electrode. Trace elements were searched by X-ray fluorescence analysis. A filter sample taken above the tropopause on June 5 indicated a sulfate level of 50 times the baseline measurements. Subsequent measurements over a period of 2 months showed an initial dropoff and formation of a persistent layer of sulfate above the tropopause with a concentration of 10 to 18 times previously measured background-levels. Concentrations of nitrate above the tropopause exhibited considerable variability and some enhancement compared with previously measured concentration levels. It is suggested that the source of the nitrate may also be volcanic as evidenced by its temporal relationship to the sulfate concentration changes. Based on the null results of X-ray fluorescence measurements, there is no evidence of ash particle concentrations greater than 3.4 microns g/cubic m persisting in the layer above the tropopause after the second transit of the cloud.
Document ID
19830003286
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Lezberg, E. A.
(NASA Lewis Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Otterson, D. A.
(NASA Lewis Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Roberts, W. K.
(NASA Lewis Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Papathakos, L. C.
(NASA Lewis Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Date Acquired
August 11, 2013
Publication Date
October 1, 1982
Publication Information
Publication: NASA. Langley Research Center Atmospheric Effects and Potential Climatic Impact of the 1980 Eruptions of Mt. St. Helens
Subject Category
Environment Pollution
Accession Number
83N11556
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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