The vertical distribution of HCl in the stratosphere

The vertical distribution of HCl in the stratosphere has been measured from infrared solar absorption spectra recorded with a balloon-borne interferometer. The flights were made in September, 1975, and May, 1976 at float altitudes of 40 km and 37 km, respectively, near Palestine, Texas. Concentration profiles derived from the data show an increase from 0.6 ppbv at 20 km to 1.7 plus or minus .5 ppbv in the region of 37 km. Above 37 km, the data permit only the total abundance to be determined; this value is found to be equivalent to 1.6 plus or minus .6 ppbv if the gas were uniformly mixed. The results from the two flights are closely similar, and no significant seasonal variation in the HCl concentrations can be discerned. The balloon data are consistent with the profile in the 14-21 km altitude region of the stratosphere reported earlier from U-2 observations.