Abstract
THE ‘aerosol layers’ frequently observed at about 50 km altitude may be due to downward transport from above of particulates, possibly of extraterrestrial origin. This transport would be more efficient at higher altitudes (the mesosphere) than lower altitudes (the stratosphere) thus causing the layering seen in the stratopause region. The flux of particulates through the stratosphere provides a potential scavenging mechanism for pollutants and a source of condensation nucleii to the troposphere. Electric field variations, probably induced from above, can modulate this flux, providing a possible coupling mechanism between geomagnetic activity and terrestrial weather. The particulate distribution is also affected by the general circulation and atmospheric dynamics. The density of particulates is much greater than generally recognised, indicating that their role in chemical and thermal processes should be reassessed.
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HALE, L. Particulate transport through the mesosphere and stratosphere. Nature 268, 710–711 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1038/268710a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/268710a0
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