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Halogen emissions from a small volcanic eruption: Modeling the peak concentrations, dispersion, and volcanically induced ozone loss in the stratosphere
Author(s) -
Millard G. A.,
Mather T. A.,
Pyle D. M.,
Rose W. I.,
Thornton B.
Publication year - 2006
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 - 10.1029/2006gl026959
Subject(s) - stratosphere , volcano , ozone , atmospheric sciences , ozone layer , ozone depletion , environmental science , dispersion (optics) , halogen , geology , meteorology , physics , chemistry , seismology , optics , alkyl , organic chemistry
Aircraft measurements in the Hekla, Iceland volcanic plume in February 2000 revealed large quantities of hydrogen halides within the stratosphere correlated to volcanic SO 2 . Investigation of the longer‐term stratospheric impact of these emissions, using the 3D chemical transport model, SLIMCAT suggests that volcanic enhancements of H 2 O and HNO 3 increased HNO 3 ·3H 2 O particle availability within the plume. These particles activated volcanic HCl and HBr, enhancing model plume concentrations of ClO x (20 ppb) and BrO x (50 ppt). Model O 3 concentrations decreased to near‐zero in places, and plume average O 3 remained 30% lower after two weeks. Reductions in the model O 3 column reduced UV shielding by 15% for 2 days. Plume incorporation into the winter polar vortex after 1 March elevated model vortex Cl y and Br y by 0.15 ppb and 7 ppt respectively, and doubled vortex ClO x and BrO. Model results agree quantitatively with the observations made by the DC‐8 aircraft.