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Detailed Reference Information |
Tabazadeh, A., Turco, R.P., Drdla, K., Jacobson, M.Z. and Toon, O.B. (1994). A study of type I polar stratospheric cloud formation. Geophysical Research Letters 21: doi: 10.1029/94GL01368. issn: 0094-8276. |
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Mechanisms for the formation of Type I (nitric acid-based) polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) are discussed. If the pre-existing sulfate aerosols are liquid prior to PSC formation, then nitric acid particles (Type Ib) form by HNO3 dissolution in aqueous H2SO4 solution droplets. This process does not require a nucleation step for the formation of HNO3 aerosols, so most pre-existing aerosols grow to become relatively small HNO3-containing particles. At significantly lower temperatures, the resulting supercooled solutions (Type Ib) may freeze to form HNO3 ice particles (Type Ia). If the pre-existing sulfate aerosols are initially solid before PSC formation, then HNO3 vapor can be deposited directly on the frozen sulfate particles. However, because an energy barrier to the condensation exists a nucleation mechanism is involved. Here, we suggest a unique nucleation mechanism that involves formation of HNO3/H2O solutions on the sulfate ice particles. These nucleation processes may be highly selective, resulting in the formation of relatively small number of large particles. ¿ American Geophysical Union 1994 |
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Abstract |
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Keywords
Atmospheric Composition and Structure, Middle atmosphere—composition and chemistry, Atmospheric Composition and Structure, Aerosols and particles, Atmospheric Composition and Structure, Cloud physics and chemistry, Atmospheric Composition and Structure, Volcanic effects |
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Publisher
American Geophysical Union 2000 Florida Avenue N.W. Washington, D.C. 20009-1277 USA 1-202-462-6900 1-202-328-0566 service@agu.org |
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