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Nitric acid in polar stratospheric clouds - Similar temperature of nitric acid condensation and cloud formationAs shown independently by two different techniques, nitric acid aerosols and polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) both form below similar threshold temperatures. This supports the idea that the PSC particles involved in chlorine activation and ozone depletion in the winter polar stratosphere are composed of nitric acid. One technique used to show this is the inertial impaction of nitric acid aerosols using an Er-2 aircraft; the other method is remote sensing of PSCs by the Stratospheric Aerosol Measurement (SAM II) satellite borne optical sensor. Both procedures were in operation during the Arctic Airborne Stratospheric Expedition in 1989, and the Airborne Antarctic Ozone Experiment in 1987. Analysis of Arctic particles gathered in situ indicates the presence of nitric acid below a 'first appearance' temperature Tfa = 202 K. This is the same highest temperature at which PSCs are seen by the SAM II satellite. In comparison, a 'first appearance' temperature Tfa = 198 K as found for the Antarctic samples.
Document ID
19900041438
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Pueschel, Rudolf F.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Snetsinger, Kenneth G.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Hamill, Patrick
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Goodman, Jindra K.
(San Jose State University CA, United States)
Mccormick, M. Patrick
(NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 14, 2013
Publication Date
March 1, 1990
Publication Information
Publication: Geophysical Research Letters, Supplement
Volume: 17
ISSN: 0094-8276
Subject Category
Geophysics
Accession Number
90A28493
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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