Abstract
The existence of stratospheric N2O5, a temporary reservoir species whose photolysis products catalyse ozone destruction, has long been predicted1 but has not previously been detected. We now report the identification of N2O5 absorption between 1,230 and 1,260 cm−1 in infrared spectra measured by the Atmospheric Trace Molecule Spectroscopy (ATMOS) experiment from orbit during the Spacelab 3 mission. Preliminary analysis of spectra recorded at sunrise on 1 May 1985 indicates a peak volume mixing ratio of 1.6 x 10−9 at 35 km altitude, or a broad concentration peak of 4x 108 molecules cm−3 between 25 and 31 km. As expected, this absorption is not detectable in spectra measured at sunset because of depletion of N2O5 by photolysis during the daytime. This behaviour is in good agreement with predictions, and represents an important validation of current photochemical models of the stratosphere.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Johnston, H. Science 173, 517–522 (1971).
Roscoe, H. K. Geophys. Res. Lett. 9, 901–902 (1982).
Laane, J. & Ohlsen, J. R. Prog. inorg. Chem. 27, 465–513 (1980).
Murcray, D. G., Goldman, A., Blatherwick, R. D., Murcray, F. J. & Bonomo, F. S. High Resolution Infrared Laboratory Spectra (Department of Physics, University of Denver, 1984).
Connell, P. S. Lawrence Berkeley Lab. Publ. LBL-904 (1979).
Graham, R. A. & Johnston, H. S. J. phys. Chem. 82, 254–268 (1978).
Perner, D. et al. J. geophys. Res. 90, 3807–3812 (1985).
Cantrell, C. A. et al. J. phys. Chem. 89, 139–146 (1985).
Lovejoy, R. W., Chackerian, Jr, C. & Boese, R. W. Appl. Opt. 19, 744–748 (1980).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Toon, G., Farmer, C. & Norton, R. Detection of stratospheric N2O5 by infrared remote sounding. Nature 319, 570–571 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1038/319570a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/319570a0
This article is cited by
-
A model study of ATMOS observations and the heterogeneous loss of N2O5 by the sulphate aerosol layer
Journal of Atmospheric Chemistry (1993)
-
Stratospheric N2O5, CH4, and N2O profiles from IR solar occultation spectra
Journal of Atmospheric Chemistry (1993)
-
Testing of photochemical theory with solar occultation data
Journal of Atmospheric Chemistry (1990)
-
Laboratory spectroscopic studies of atmospherically important radicals using fourier transform spectroscopy
Journal of Atmospheric Chemistry (1989)
-
High resolution infrared spectroscopy of the sun and the earth's atmosphere from space
Mikrochimica Acta (1987)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.
