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At least 451 records · Page 25
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NASA NTRS1982

Global distribution of stratospheric aerosols by satellite measurements

A description is given of the first-ever global stratospheric aerosol climatology which is being developed by the earth-orbiting SAM II and SAGE satellite-based sensors. These sensors use the technique of solar occulation; that is, for every spacecraft sunrise and sunset, the modulation of solar intensity caused by the intervening earth-limb is measured. These data are mathematically inverted to yield vertical profiles of aerosol extinction coefficients with 1 km resolution. The data show seasonal variations which are similar in each hemisphere, with strong correlation between aerosol extinction and the corresponding temperature field. Typical values of extinction in the stratosphere are found to be about 0.0001 to 0.0002 per km at 1 micrometer; stratospheric optical depths at this wavelength are about 0.002. The peak extinction in the stratospheric aerosol layer follows the tropopause with altitude, with peak extinction ratios about 10 km above the local tropopause.

Mccormick, M. P.↗
NASA NTRS1981

The possible effect of 11 year solar cycle on the thermal structure of the stratosphere and ozone distribution investigated in a 2-D model

A two-dimensional time dependent radiative-photochemical-dynamical model of the stratosphere which takes into account the feedback effect of temperature on ozone concentration is used to investigate the possible changes in the seasonal and latitudinal variations of temperature, ozone, and other minor constituents associated with the UV flux variations from the solar minimum to the solar maximum. The transport model determines the zonal wind, non-zonal eddy transports, and eddy momentum fluxes, while the photochemical system includes the important reactions affecting the concentrations of ozone and other relevant trace constituents in the stratosphere. Experiments are carried out by changing the position of the sun every day and evaluating the daily average photodissociation integrals for the relevant minor constituents and ozone heating. Values are found for the ambient stratosphere and a stratosphere perturbed by solar cycle variations, and a rough comparison is made with observed ozone and temperature trends.

Vupputuri, R. K. R.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Simulation studies of the physical and chemical processes occurring in the stratospheric clouds of the Mount St. Helens eruptions of May and June 1980

The large and diverse set of observational data collected in the high-altitude clouds of May 18, May 25, and June 13, 1980 was organized and analyzed for trends which reveal the processes at work. The data were used to guide and constrain model simulations of the volcanic eruptions. A comprehensive one-dimensional model of stratospheric sulfate aerosols, sulfur precursor gases, and volcanic ash and dust particles is utilized which accounts for homogeneous and heterogeneous chemistry in the clouds, aerosol nucleation and growth, and cloud expansion. Computational results are given for the time histories of the gaseous species concentrations, sulfate aerosol size dispersions, and ash burdens in the eruption clouds. The long-term buildup of stratospheric aerosols in the Northern Hemisphere and the persistent effects of injected chlorine and water vapor on ozone are discussed. It is concluded that SO2, water vapor, and ash are the most important substances injected by the volcano into the stratosphere, with respect to both the widespread effects on composition and the impact on climate. It is found that the volcano probably had little influence on the climate ( 0.05 K global surface cooling) or on stratospheric ozone ( 0.2 percent maximum hemispherical reduction).

Turco, R. P.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Is there any chlorine monoxide in the stratosphere?

A ground-based search for stratospheric 35-ClO was carried out using an infrared heterodyne spectrometer in the solar absorption mode. Lines due to stratospheric HNO3 and tropospheric OCS were detected at about 0.2% absorptance levels, but the expected 0.1% lines of ClO in this same region were not seen. We find that stratospheric ClO is at least a factor of seven less abundant than is indicated by in situ measurements, and we set an upper limit of 2.3x10 to the 13th molecules/sq cm at the 95% confidence level for the integrated vertical column density of ClO. Our results imply that the release of chlorofluorocarbons may be significantly less important for the destruction of stratospheric ozone (O3) than is currently thought.

Mumma, M. J.↗
NASA NTRS1983

SAM 2 measurements of the polar stratospheric aerosol. Volume 4: April 1980 to October 1980

The Stratospheric Aerosol Measurement (SAM) 2 sensor is aboard the Nimbus 7 spacecraft providing extinction measurements of the Antarctic and Arctic stratospheric aerosols with a vertical resolution of 1 km. Representative examples and weekly averages of these aerosol data and corresponding temperature profiles are presented. Contours of aerosols extinction as a function of altitude and longitude or time are plotted and weekly aerosol optical depths are calculated. Stratospheric optical depths are 0.002 to 0.003 for the Antarctic and 0.002 to 0.003 at the beginning to 0.005 to 0.006 at the end of the time period for the Arctic. Polar stratospheric clouds at altitudes between the tropopause and 20 km were observed during the Antarctic winter. A ready-to-use format containing a representative sample of the fourth 6 months of data to be used in atmospheric and climatic studies is reported.

Mccormick, M. P.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Classification of the Johnson Space Center stratospheric dust collection

Data on the nature of dust in the upper atmosphere have been provided by a stratospheric dust collection program. This program makes it possible to study in detail materials related to early solar system history. A comprehensive overview of the stratospheric collection program provides a basis for a better understanding of stratospheric dust origins. It is important for the development of this understanding that easily accessible criteria for classification be established. The present investigation is concerned with the development of a suitable classification scheme for the obtained stratospheric materials. Three sets of eight collectors were flown on WB57 high-altitude aircraft during August and September, 1981, as part of the considered collection program. Three of the 24 impactors (flags) have undergone preliminary examination. The current investigation is concerned with selected data on materials from flags W7010, W7017, and W7029.

Mackinnon, I. D. R.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Retrieval of stratospheric aerosol size distribution from atmospheric extinction of solar radiation at two wavelengths

A parametric study is presented of the effects of the size distribution and composition of stratospheric aerosols on the value R, the ratio of the extinction of solar radiation at wavelength 0.45 micron to the extinction at wavelength 1.0 micron. The aerosol size distributions under study comprise nine analytical expressions, including most of the stratospheric aerosol models used by investigators. The aerosol compositions considered are the supercooled sulfuric-acid droplets, with different weight percentages of H2SO4 in the aerosol. It is found that whereas R is not very sensitive to either the composition or the radii limits of the stratospheric aerosols under consideration, it is quite sensitive to the value of the variable parameter governing the mode radius of the size distribution of aerosol particles. The results of the parametric study underlie the method proposed here of retrieving the size distribution of aerosol particles in the stratosphere from the experimental results of the extinction of solar radiation at two wavelengths.

Yue, G. K.↗
NASA NTRS1983

The 1980 eruptions of Mount St. Helens - Physical and chemical processes in the stratospheric clouds

The large and diverse set of observational data collected in the high-altitude plumes of the May 18, May 25, and June 13, 1980 eruptions is organized and analyzed with a view to discerning the processes at work. The data serve to guide and constrain detailed model simulations of the volcanic clouds. For this purpose, use is made of a comprehensive one-dimensional model of stratospheric sulfate aerosols, sulfur precursor gases, and volcanic ash and dust. The model takes into account gas-phase and condensed-phase (heterogeneous) chemistry in the clouds, aerosol nucleation and growth, and cloud expansion. Computational results are presented for the time histories of the gaseous species concentrations, aerosol size distributions, and ash burdens of the eruption clouds. Also investigated are the long-term buildup of stratospheric aerosols in the Northern Hemisphere and the persistent effects of injected chlorine and water vapor on stratospheric ozone. It is concluded that SO2, water vapor, and ash were probably the most important substances injected into the stratosphere by the Mount St. Helens volcano, both with respect to their widespread effects on composition and their effect on climate.

Turco, R. P.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Is there any chlorine monoxide in the stratosphere?

A ground-based search for stratospheric 35-ClO was carried out using an infrared heterodyne spectrometer in the solar absorption mode. Lines due to stratospheric HNO3 and tropospheric OCS were detected at about 0.2 percent absorptance levels, but the expected 0.1 percent lines of ClO in this same region were not seen. We find that stratospheric ClO is at least a factor of seven less abundant than is indicated by in situ measurements, and we set an upper limit of 2.3 x 10 to the 13th molecules/sq cm at the 95 percent confidence level for the integrated vertical column density of ClO. Our results imply that the release of chlorofluorocarbons may be significantly less important for the destruction of stratospheric ozone (O3) than is currently thought. Previously announced in STAR as N83-27518

Mumma, M. J.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Numerical studies of major and minor stratospheric warmings caused by orographic forcing

A primitive equation spectral model using spherical harmonics is formulated to study dynamic interactions between the troposphere and stratosphere in association with sudden stratospheric warmings. Using sigma coordinates for five tropospheric layers and log-pressure coordinates for 26 stratospheric and mesospheric layers, separate model equations for each system are combined to form single matrix governing equations. The gradual introduction of large scale topography to balanced initial states representative of observed mean winter conditions in the Northern Hemisphere is used for the generation of planetary waves during 40-day time integrations. Results of these integrations indicate that stratospheric warmings can be simulated by this orographic forcing and that mean momentum flux divergence due to zonal mean motion appears to be an essential mechanism of these simulated sudden warmings. It was found that the strength of the polar night jet can be a determining factor whether a warming becomes 'major' or 'minor'.

Koermer, J. P.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Proceedings of a Workshop on Polar Stratospheric Clouds: Their Role in Atmospheric Processes

The potential role of polar stratospheric clouds in atmospheric processes was assessed. The observations of polar stratospheric clouds with the Nimbus 7 SAM II satellite experiment were reviewed and a preliminary analysis of their formation, impact on other remote sensing experiments, and potential impact on climate were presented. The potential effect of polar stratospheric clouds on climate, radiation balance, atmospheric dynamics, stratospheric chemistry and water vapor budget, and cloud microphysics was assessed. Conclusions and recommendations, a synopsis of materials and complementary material to support those conclusions and recommendations are presented.

Hamill, P.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Latitudinal distributions and temporal changes of stratospheric HCl and HF

Hydrogen chloride and hydrogen fluoride are important sinks in the stratosphere for free halogens. The major sources of chlorine and fluorine in the stratosphere are anthropogenic; therefore, a measurement of HCl and HF gives information about the magnitude of anthropogenic effects on stratospheric chemistry and may give some information about the stratospheric hydroxyl concentration as well. The total column amount of HCl and HF above 12 km has been determined by measuring infrared absorption spectra with a high-resolution Fourier transform spectrometer flown on a jet aircraft. The HCl column varies from 0.7 x 10 to the 15th molecules/ sq cm near the equator to 2.7 x 10 to the 15th molecules/sq cm at 70 N; the HF column is about a factor of 5 lower. The HCl:HF ratio is almost independent of latitude, and neither constituent shows substantial seasonal or diurnal variation. At mid-latitudes, the data from 1978 to 1982 show an annual increase of 5 percent per year for HCl and 12 percent per year for HF.

Mankin, W. G.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Radiative heating rates near the stratospheric fountain

Radiative heating rates are computed for various sets of conditions thought to be appropriate to the stratospheric fountain region: with and without a layer of cirrus cloud between 100 and 150 mbar; with standard ozone and with decreased ozone in the lower stratosphere, again with and without the cirrus cloud; and with different temperatures in the tropopause region. The presence of the cloud decreases the radiative cooling below the cloud in the upper troposphere and increases the cooling above it in the lower stratosphere. The cloud is heated at the base and cooled at the top and thus radiatively destabilized; overall it gains energy by radiation. Decreasing ozone above the cloud also tends to cool the lower stratosphere. The net effect is a tendency for vertical convergence and horizontal divergence in the cloud region. High resolution profiles of temperature, ozone, and cloudiness within the fountain region are required in order to assess the final balance of the various processes.

Doherty, G. M.↗
NASA NTRS1984

SAGE and SAM II measurements of global stratospheric aerosol optical depth and mass loading

Several volcanic eruptions between November 1979 and April 1981 have injected material into the stratosphere. The SAGE and SAM II satellite systems have measured, with global coverage, the 1-micron extinction produced by this material, and examples of the data product are shown in the form of global maps of stratospheric optical depth and altitude-latitude plots of zonal mean extinction. These data, and that for the volcanically quiet period in early 1979, have been used to determine the changes in the total stratospheric mass loading. Estimates have also been made of the contribution to the total aerosol mass from each eruption. It has been found that between 1979 and mid-1981, the total stratospheric aerosol mass increased from a background level of approximately 570,000 metric tons to a peak of approximately 1,300,000 metric tons.

Kent, G. S.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Spatial variation of stratospheric aerosol acidity and model refractive index - Implications of recent results

Recent experimental results indicate that little or no solid ammonium sulfate is present in background stratospheric aerosols. Other results allow straightforward calculation of sulfuric acid/water droplet properties (acidity, specific gravity, refractive index) as functions of stratospheric temperature and humidity. These results are combined with a variety of latitudinal and seasonal temperature and humidity profiles to obtain corresponding profiles of droplet properties. These profiles are used to update a previous model of stratospheric aerosol refractive index. The new model retains the simplifying approximation of vertically constant refractive index in the inner stratosphere, but has sulfuric acid/water refractive index values that significantly exceed the previously used room temperature values. Mean conversion ratios (e.g., extinction-to-number, backscatter-to-volume) obtained using Mie scattering calculations with the new refractive indices are very similar to those obtained for the old indices, because the effects of deleting ammonium sulfate and increasing acid indices tend to cancel each other.

Russell, P. B.↗
NASA NTRS1985

SAM 2 measurements of the polar stratospheric aerosol, volume 5

The Stratospheric Aerosol Measurement (SAM) 2 sensor is aboard the Earth-orbiting Nimbus 7 spacecraft providing extinction measurements of the Antarctic and Arctic stratospheric aerosol with a vertical resolution of 1 km. Representative examples and weekly averages of aerosol data and corresponding temperature profiles for the time and place of each SAM 2 mesurement (Oct. 1980 through Apr. 1981) are presented. Contours of aerosol extinction as a function of altitude and longitude or time are plotted and weekly aerosol optical depths are calculated. Seasonal variations and variations in space (altitude and longitude) for both polar regions are easily seen. Stratospheric optical depths are 0.002 to 0.003 for the Antarctic region and 0.005 to 0.006 at the beginning to 0.002 to 0.003 at the end of the time period for the Arctic region. The Northern Hemisphere values are quite large due mainly to the eruption of Mount St. Helens (46.2 deg N, 122.2 deg W) in May 1980. Polar stratospheric clouds at altitudes of about 20 km were observed during the Arctic winter. A ready-to-use format containing a representative sample of the fifth 6 months of data to be used in atmospheric and climatic studies is presented.

Mccormick, M. P.↗
NASA NTRS1985

SAM II measurements of the polar stratospheric aerosol. Volume 6: April to October 1981

The Stratospheric Aerosol Measurement (SAM) II sensor is aboard the Earth-orbiting Nimbus 7 spacecraft providing extinction measurements of the Antarctic and Arctic stratospheric aerosols with a vertical resolution of 1 km. Representative examples and weekly averages of these aerosol data and corresponding temperature profiles (Apr. 1981 to Oct. 1981) are presented. Contours of aerosol extinction as a function of altitude and longitude or time are plotted and weekly aerosol optical depths are calculated. Stratospheric optical depths are 0.002 to 0.003 for the Antarctic region and 0.006 to 0.007 at the beginning to 0.003 to 0.004 at the end of the time period for the Arctic region. Polar stratospheric clouds at altitudes between the tropopause and 20 km were observed during the Antarctic winter. A ready-to-use format containing a representative sample of the sixth 6 months of data to be used in atmospheric and climatic studies is reported.

Mccormick, M. P.↗
NASA NTRS1984

High resolution evidence for the Garrett-Munk spectrum of stratospheric gravity waves

Vertical profiles of scalar horizontal winds have been measured at high resolution (10 m) in the 13 to 37 km region of the stratosphere. This resolution (at that range of altitude) represents the state-of-the-art, and is unique. The technique used smoke trails laid by rockets in the stratosphere, and were taken by AFGL at Wallops Island, VA, White Sands Missile Range, NM, and Ft. Churchill, Canada, in the 1977-78 time period. Two or three cameras were used to give the time-lapse photographs. The goal was to ascertain whether or not the internal waves of the stratosphere behave consistently with the Garrett-Munk model which was originally created for oceanic internal waves. Five profiles of horizontal wind are presented. It is concluded: (1) stratospheric internal waves obey the Garrett-Munk model for vertical wave numbers; (2) there is not statistically significant evidence for a break in the curve at high wave numbers when due allowance is made for aliasing effects; and (3) the power density level of the spectra are almost equal on a log-log scale in spite of the difference in time, season, and geographical location.

Dewan, E. M.↗