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A 2D microphysical model of the polar stratospheric CN layer
Author(s) -
Mills Michael J.,
Toon Owen B.,
Solomon Susan
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/1999gl900187
Subject(s) - stratosphere , aerosol , atmospheric sciences , polar , altitude (triangle) , mesosphere , nucleation , environmental science , sulfate aerosol , layer (electronics) , meteorology , climatology , physics , materials science , geology , nanotechnology , thermodynamics , astronomy , geometry , mathematics
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 H 2 SO 4 and SO 3 , consistent with recent laboratory measurements, to produce SO 2 in the upper stratosphere and mesosphere. An additional source of SO 2 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.