Trajectory studies of large HNO3‐containing PSC particles in the Arctic: Evidence for the role of NAT

Abstract

Large (5 to >20 μm diameter) nitric‐acid‐containing polar stratospheric cloud (PSC) particles were observed in the Arctic stratosphere during the winter of 1999–2000. We use a particle growth and sedimentation model to investigate the environment in which these particles grew and the likely phase of the largest particles. Particle trajectory calculations show that, while simulated nitric acid dihydrate (NAD) particle sizes are significantly smaller than the observed maximum particle sizes, nitric acid trihydrate (NAT) particle trajectories are consistent with the largest observed particle sizes.