The burden of the sulphate layer of the stratosphere during volcanic “quiescent” periods

J. Servant

doi:10.3402/tellusb.v38i1.15077

The burden of the sulphate layer of the stratosphere during volcanic “quiescent” periods

Tellus B: Chemical and Physical Meteorology

Volume 38 (1986): Issue 1

By: J. Servant

Open Access

|Jan 1986

Abstract

This paper deals with the origin of sulphates (SO⁼₄) in the stratosphere during periods of volcanic quiescence. Based on measurements taken during the 1971-1981 Airstream Project, we determined that the oxidation of carbonyl sulphide molecules (COS) is sufficient to explain the distribution of SO⁼₄ in the stratosphere. Oxidation by OH attack appears negligible, photodissociation is significant. The stratospheric life time of COS molecules is estimated at approximately 4 years. The mean oxidation rate of COS in the stratosphere is 1.0 × 10⁷ molecules cm^-2 s^-1.

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