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PSC and volcanic aerosol routine observations in Antarctica by UV-visible ground-based spectrometryPolar statospheric clouds (PSC) and stratospheric aerosol can be observed by ground-based UV-visible spectrometry by looking at the variation of the color of the sky during twilight. A radiative transfer model shows that reddenings are caused by high altitude (22-28 km) thin layers of scatterers, while low altitude (12-20 km) thick ones result in blueings. The color index method applied on 4 years of observations at Dumont d'Urville (67 deg S), from 1988 to 1991, shows that probably because the station is located at the edge of the vortex, dense PSC are uncommon. More unexpected is the existence of a systematic seasonal variation of the color of the twilight sky - bluer at spring - which reveals the formation of a dense scattering layer at or just above the tropopause at the end of the winter. Large scattering layers are reported above the station in 1991, first in August around 12-14 km, later in September at 22-24 km. They are attributed to volcanic aerosol from Mt Hudson and Mt Pinatubo respectively, which erupted in 1991. Inspection of the data shows that the lowest entered rapidly into the polar vortex but not the highest which remained outside, demonstrating that the vortex was isolated at 22-26 km.
Document ID
19950004629
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Sarkissian, A.
(Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique Verrieres-Le Buisson, France)
Pommereau, J. P.
(Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique Verrieres-Le Buisson, France)
Goutail, F.
(Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique Verrieres-Le Buisson, France)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
April 1, 1994
Publication Information
Publication: NASA. Goddard Space Flight Center, Ozone in the Troposphere and Stratosphere, Part 2
Subject Category
Environment Pollution
Accession Number
95N11042
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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