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Mass spectrometric detection of pre‐condensation nuclei in the stratosphere ‐ Evidence for a stratospheric gas to particle conversion mechanism
Author(s) -
Arnold F.,
Henschen G.
Publication year - 1981
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/gl008i001p00083
Subject(s) - stratosphere , ion , altitude (triangle) , trace gas , charged particle , mass spectrometry , particle (ecology) , condensation , cloud condensation nuclei , physics , abundance (ecology) , atmospheric chemistry , atmospheric sciences , atomic physics , aerosol , meteorology , geology , ozone , oceanography , quantum mechanics , geometry , mathematics , fishery , biology
Electrically charged species having masses larger than 327 atomic mass units have been detected in the stratosphere by a newly designed balloon‐borne mass spectrometer. The particles appear to be arranged in a layer peaking around 30 km altitude where their abundance is at least comparable to that of “normal” ions. The peak has a very steep top and a less pronounced bottom. Arguments are put forward favoring an interpretation of the observed particles as charged “multi‐ion complexes”. A possible role of the newly detected particles in the physics and chemistry of stratospheric aerosols and trace gases is discussed.