New Optical Particle Counter for In-Situ measurements of Stratospheric Aerosol
Abstract
We present the design of a new optical particle counter (OPC) for in-situ measurements of the size distribution of Stratospheric and other low concentration aerosol. The University of Wyoming has been conducting measurements of stratospheric aerosol with balloon-borne OPCs since 1971, contributing a valuable continuous record at mid-latitude (41 N). This new instrument aims to improve sensitivity to very low concentrations (<10-3/cm3) over a size range of 0.10-10.0 μm, while being lightweight (near 3 kg), low power, rugged, inexpensive, and autonomous. It is our hope that this instrument will be implemented beyond regular deployments in Laramie, Wy, and will play a role in acquiring important records of aerosol in remote regions. The University of Wyoming is the only group currently making regular in-situ measurements of stratospheric aerosol. Remote sensing methods, both satellite and ground based, require complex and potentially inaccurate algorithms to derive aerosol size distributions. Stratospheric aerosols play an important role in the chemical and radiative balance of the atmosphere. Stratospheric aerosol contributes to both stratospheric warming due to absorption of terrestrial infrared energy and tropospheric cooling by scattering of sunlight. In the absence of significant volcanic eruptions, a reliable record of background aerosols is crucial to understanding their role in climate change. Monitoring changes in the background aerosol in the stratosphere requires a highly sensitive instrument capable of reliably measuring a large range of particle sizes at very low concentration levels.
- Publication:
-
AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2013
- Bibcode:
- 2013AGUFM.A13B0196F
- Keywords:
-
- 0305 ATMOSPHERIC COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE Aerosols and particles;
- 1610 GLOBAL CHANGE Atmosphere;
- 0370 ATMOSPHERIC COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE Volcanic effects;
- 0365 ATMOSPHERIC COMPOSITION AND STRUCTURE Troposphere: composition and chemistry