Vol. 12, issue 03, article # 14

Abstract:

The paper generalizes the results of laser sensing of vertical distribution of the stratospheric aerosol at the Siberian Lidar Station of the Institute of Atmospheric Optics of the SB RAS in Tomsk (56.5°N, 85.0°E) in 1986–1997. At the initial stage of regular monitoring of the stratospheric aerosol layer (SAL) we managed to observe the products of eruption of the Colombian volcano Del-Ruis in the stratosphere. In summer 1986 - summer 1991 the SAL state approached the background one. For this period the vertical aerosol distributions are presented in the paper separately for winters and summers. On their basis we have formulated the criteria for the background SAL state, which was observed only in 1989–1990. The experimental data on the background content of the stratospheric aerosol are presented in comparison with the model ones. After the Mt. Pinatubo eruption in June 1991, the volcanic aerosol became the dominating factor in the SAL formation. The results of measurements are considered that illustrate development and subsequent decay of the volcanic SAL. Since summer 1995 the stratospheric aerosol has been recovering its background state.