Responsible: Linda Megner, Markus Rapp and Jörg Gumbel, in collaboration with David Siskind (Naval Research Laboratory, USA) and John Plane (University of East Anglia, U.K.)
Meteoroid ablation provides a substantital input of metallic species into the lower thermosphere and mesosphere. This meteoric material is believed to re-condensate to nanometer-size so-called smoke particles, which have been suggested to play an important role in the mesosphere, for instance in the formation of noctilucent clouds. However, very little is known about these particles, their composition and global distribution. Motivated by the recent MAGIC rocket project we have started systematic model studies on the properties and fate of smoke particles in the atmosphere.
We use CARMA, the Community Aerosol and Radiation Model for Atmospheres, for comprehensive microphysical studies of these particles. We investigate the sensitivity of particle properties and their spatial distribution on parameters such as the magnitude of the meteoroid influx, microphysical parameters controlling particle coagulation, and vertical transport.
As a second step of this study, the CARMA microphysics has been coupled to the CHEM-2D chemical/transport model of the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington D.C., USA. A major aim is to model the global production, transport and distribution of smoke.
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Last updated: January 21, 2006
Jörg Gumbel (gumbel@misu.su.se)