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Infrared heating rates in the stratosphere due to volcanic sulphur dioxide
Author(s) -
Zhong Wenyi,
Haigh Joanna D.,
Toumi Ralf,
Bekki Slimane
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
quarterly journal of the royal meteorological society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.744
H-Index - 143
eISSN - 1477-870X
pISSN - 0035-9009
DOI - 10.1002/qj.49712253411
Subject(s) - stratosphere , volcano , environmental science , sulfur dioxide , volcanic gases , atmospheric sciences , infrared , geology , chemistry , geochemistry , optics , physics , inorganic chemistry
A narrow‐band radiative‐transfer model is used to assess potential infrared cooling rates due to SO 2 injected into the stratosphere by volcanic eruptions. In addition to SO 2 profiles representing the eruptions of El Chichón and Pinatubo, two hypothetical SO 2 profiles following a massive volcanic eruption are used. The net radiative impact of the SO 2 depends on the vertical distribution as well as the altitude and magnitude of its injection. For broader distributions the magnitudes of the infrared heating rates are comparable with those due to heating caused by the absorption of solar ultraviolet by SO 2 tending to enhance the heating of the lower stratosphere and reduce it in the upper stratosphere. These results are explained in terms of the relative strengths of the SO 2 bands and of those of H 2 O and O 3 overlapping in the same spectral regions.