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.
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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
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/319570a0
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