First measurements of gas phase sulphuric acid in the stratosphere

摘要: Sulphuric acid is thought to be the most important nucleating agent in stratosphere and thus has a key role formation of stratospheric aerosol layer (‘Junge layer’)1,2. As latter at least temporarily influences Earth's radiation budget thereby climate3–5, sulphuric very trace gas. The considered proceed via not yet fully determined photoreaction chain, starting from SO2 (ref 6). Sulphur dioxide, turn, result COS possibly also CS2 being transported troposphere into stratosphere7. Direct injection possible. We report here first measurement gas phase abundances stratosphere. Our method relies on recent composition negative ions which revealed presence species containing molecules attached HSO4− core ions8,9. Studies relevant ion reactions NOAA-Aeronomy Laboratory10 have confirmed identifications observed ions, giving firm basis for determination H2SO4 measurements.