Summer time Fe depletion in the Antarctic mesopause region. (May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Viehl, T.P.; Höffner, J.; Lübken, F.-J.; Plane, J.M.C.; Kaifler, B.; Morris, R.J.
• Is Part Of: Journal of atmospheric and solar-terrestrial physics. Volume 127(2015:May)
• Page Start: 97
• Page End: 102
• Publication Date: 2015-05
• Subjects: Mesospheric iron -- Noctilucent clouds -- Polar mesospheric clouds -- Polar mesosphere summer echoes -- Heterogeneous chemistry; Geophysics -- Periodicals; Atmospheric physics -- Periodicals; Géophysique -- Périodiques; Météorologie physique -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 551.51
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jastp.2015.04.013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1364-6826

Abstract

Abstract: We report common volume measurements of Fe densities, temperatures and ice particle occurrence in the mesopause region at Davis Station, Antarctica (69°S) in the years 2011–2012. Our observations show a strong correlation of the Fe-layer summer time depletion with temperature, but no clear causal relation with the onset or occurrence of ice particles measured as noctilucent clouds (NLC) or polar mesosphere summer echoes (PMSE). The combination of these measurements indicates that the strong summer depletion can be explained by gas-phase chemistry alone and does not require heterogeneous removal of Fe and its compounds on ice particles. Abstract : Highlights: Very low mesopause temperatures coincide with strong Fe layer depletion. Gas-phase chemistry alone can explain strong Fe depletion. Heterogeneous removal is not major cause of summer time depletion of the MLT Fe layer. Antarctic Fe layer is lifted during the summer months.