Formation of Model Polar Stratospheric Cloud Films

Authors

A. M. Middlebrook
B. G. Koehler
Laurie S. McNeill, Utah State UniversityFollow
M. A. Tolbert

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Geophysical Research Letters

Volume

19

Issue

24

Publisher

American Geophysical Union

Publication Date

1992

First Page

2417

Last Page

2420

Abstract

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to examine the competitive growth of films representative of polar stratospheric clouds. These experiments show that either crystalline nitric acid trihydrate (β‐NAT) or amorphous films with H₂O:HNO₃ ratios close to 3:1 formed at temperatures 3–7 K warmer than the ice frost point under stratospheric pressure conditions. In addition, with higher HNO₃ pressures we observed nitric acid dihydrate (NAD) formation at temperatures warmer than ice formation. However, our experiments also show that NAD surfaces converted to β‐NAT upon exposure to stratospheric water pressures. Finally, we determined that the net uptake coefficient for HNO₃ on β‐NAT is close to unity, whereas the net uptake coefficient for H₂O is much less.

Recommended Citation

Middlebrook, A.M., Koehler, B.G., McNeill, L.S. and M.A. Tolbert, “Formation of Model Polar Stratospheric Cloud Films," Geophysical Research Letters, 19(24), 2417-2420, Dec. 24 1992.