Observation of stratospheric ozone depletion in rocket exhaust plumes

摘要: Although modelling studies have predicted1,2,3,4,5,6,7 that particulate and reactive gas-phase species in the exhaust plume of large rockets might cause significant local ozone depletion, actual response stratosphere after rocket launches has never been directly determined. Here we report comprehensive measurements follow evolution stratospheric wake two Titan IV launched on 12 May 20 December 1996. In both cases, concentrations dropped to near-zero values wake, across regions four eight kilometres wide, within 30 minutes launch; intense loss persisted for which time recovered ambient levels. Our data indicate number molecules lost significantly exceed chlorine deposited by rockets. This suggests a catalytic cycle based Cl2O2, other than Cl2, unique solid motor (SRM) plumes be responsible our observations. However, limited spatial temporal extent observed losses implies neither Cl2O2 nor reactions involving compounds from solid-fuelled globally impact chemistry.