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Trajectory studies of polar stratospheric cloud lidar observations at Sodankyla (Finland) during SESAME : Comparison with box model results of particle evolution

Rizi, V. ; Redaelli, G. ; Visconti, G. ; Masci, F. ; Wedekind, C. ; Stein, B. ; Immler, F. ; Mielke, B. ; Rairoux, P. and Woste, L. , et al. (1999) In Journal of Atmospheric Chemistry 32. p.165-181
Abstract

Polar stratospheric clouds (PSC) were observed with the multi-wavelength lidar of the MOANA project (Modelling and Observations of Aerosols in the Northern Atmosphere) during SESAME (Second European Stratospheric Arctic and Mid-latitude Experiment). The physical state, liquid or solid, of the cloud particles can be inferred from the lidar data. Using isentropic back-trajectories to obtain the thermal history of the sampled air masses, it is possible to reconcile most of the observations with current ideas on PSC formation and evolution. When the cloud particles were identified as liquid, changes in the size distribution of the droplets along the trajectory were calculated using a micro-physical box model. Backscatter ratios calculated... (More)

Polar stratospheric clouds (PSC) were observed with the multi-wavelength lidar of the MOANA project (Modelling and Observations of Aerosols in the Northern Atmosphere) during SESAME (Second European Stratospheric Arctic and Mid-latitude Experiment). The physical state, liquid or solid, of the cloud particles can be inferred from the lidar data. Using isentropic back-trajectories to obtain the thermal history of the sampled air masses, it is possible to reconcile most of the observations with current ideas on PSC formation and evolution. When the cloud particles were identified as liquid, changes in the size distribution of the droplets along the trajectory were calculated using a micro-physical box model. Backscatter ratios calculated from the size distributions are in broad agreement with the lidar data, giving confidence in current understanding of the evolution of ternary solution (H2SO4, HNO3 and H2O) droplets. Results from two soundings are shown which bear on the problem of the formation of solid particles. In the first, solid particles were detected. The air mass had cooled to the frost point 12 hours earlier. In the second no solid particles were detected although the air temperature was below the nitric acid trihydrate existence point, and had decreased by 12 K in the previous 14 hours.

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publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
keywords
Air mass trajectories, Lagragian model, Polar stratospheric clouds
in
Journal of Atmospheric Chemistry
volume
32
pages
17 pages
publisher
Springer
external identifiers
  • scopus:0032992514
ISSN
0167-7764
DOI
10.1023/A:1006120226379
language
English
LU publication?
no
id
4651b112-1298-4f74-abd5-d8fb2f2c6e4e
date added to LUP
2025-09-30 18:53:15
date last changed
2025-10-14 12:13:01
@article{4651b112-1298-4f74-abd5-d8fb2f2c6e4e,
  abstract     = {{<p>Polar stratospheric clouds (PSC) were observed with the multi-wavelength lidar of the MOANA project (Modelling and Observations of Aerosols in the Northern Atmosphere) during SESAME (Second European Stratospheric Arctic and Mid-latitude Experiment). The physical state, liquid or solid, of the cloud particles can be inferred from the lidar data. Using isentropic back-trajectories to obtain the thermal history of the sampled air masses, it is possible to reconcile most of the observations with current ideas on PSC formation and evolution. When the cloud particles were identified as liquid, changes in the size distribution of the droplets along the trajectory were calculated using a micro-physical box model. Backscatter ratios calculated from the size distributions are in broad agreement with the lidar data, giving confidence in current understanding of the evolution of ternary solution (H<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub>, HNO<sub>3</sub> and H<sub>2</sub>O) droplets. Results from two soundings are shown which bear on the problem of the formation of solid particles. In the first, solid particles were detected. The air mass had cooled to the frost point 12 hours earlier. In the second no solid particles were detected although the air temperature was below the nitric acid trihydrate existence point, and had decreased by 12 K in the previous 14 hours.</p>}},
  author       = {{Rizi, V. and Redaelli, G. and Visconti, G. and Masci, F. and Wedekind, C. and Stein, B. and Immler, F. and Mielke, B. and Rairoux, P. and Woste, L. and Del Guasta, M. and Morandi, M. and Castagnoli, F. and Balestri, S. and Stefanutti, L. and Matthey, R. and Mitev, V. and Douard, M. and Wolf, J. P. and Kyro, E. and Rummukainen, M. and Kivi, R.}},
  issn         = {{0167-7764}},
  keywords     = {{Air mass trajectories; Lagragian model; Polar stratospheric clouds}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  pages        = {{165--181}},
  publisher    = {{Springer}},
  series       = {{Journal of Atmospheric Chemistry}},
  title        = {{Trajectory studies of polar stratospheric cloud lidar observations at Sodankyla (Finland) during SESAME : Comparison with box model results of particle evolution}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1006120226379}},
  doi          = {{10.1023/A:1006120226379}},
  volume       = {{32}},
  year         = {{1999}},
}