Chlorine Nitrate from CLAES and Chlorine Monoxide from MLS over the Arctic (2-12-93 - 3-10-93)

Key to understanding the chlorine chemistry in the polar stratosphere is the measurement of polar stratospheric clouds, chlorine monoxide, and the reservoir gas chlorine nitrate. Chlorine nitrate has been measured by CLAES and chlorine monoxide by MLS. The CLAES and MLS measurements together help to show that the polar stratospheric clouds which form in the cold Arctic stratosphere have converted most of the chlorine nitrate into the radical chlorine monoxide. In 1992, UARS measurements showed conclusively that an an Arctic ozone hole is beginning to form. Educational levels: Undergraduate lower division, Undergraduate upper division, Graduate or professional