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AGU: Geophysical Research Letters

 

Index Terms

  • Atmospheric Composition and Structure: Middle atmosphere—composition and chemistry
  • Meteorology and Atmospheric Dynamics: Middle atmosphere dynamics

Abstract

A 2D microphysical model of the polar stratospheric CN layer

Michael J. Mills

LASP/PAOS, University of Colorado, Boulder

Owen B. Toon

LASP/PAOS, University of Colorado, Boulder

Susan Solomon

NOAA Aeronomy Laboratory, Boulder

Each spring a layer of small particles forms between 20 and 30 km altitude in the polar regions. We present the first self‐consistent explanation of the observed “CN layer” from a 2D microphysical model of sulfate aerosol. Our theory relies on photolysis of H2SO4 and SO3, consistent with recent laboratory measurements, to produce SO2 in the upper stratosphere and mesosphere. An additional source of SO2 may be required. Nucleation throughout the polar winter extends the top of the aerosol layer to higher altitudes, despite strong downward transport of ambient air. This may affect heterogeneous chemistry at the top of the aerosol layer in polar winter and spring.

Received 14 October 1998; accepted 16 February 1999; .

Citation: Mills, M. J., O. B. Toon, and S. Solomon (1999), A 2D microphysical model of the polar stratospheric CN layer, Geophys. Res. Lett., 26(8), 1133–1136.

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