Technologies in Environment-
Polar Clouds and Global Warming
Introduction
Clouds forming in the winter over
the North and South poles are believed to damage the
ozone layer and contribute to the global warming. Polar
stratospheric clouds are formed in lower stratosphere
at an altitude of 15-20 Km in winter when there is no
sunlight. On the cloud's surface, substances detached
from CFCs in the atmosphere engage in chemical reactions
that emit a great deal of chlorine gas. The gas is destroyed
when exposed to sunlight in the spring, turning into
chlorine atoms that deplete the ozone layer. Researchers
only know that the clouds are created when the air temperature
falls to minus 78 oC. But polar clouds have never been
studied extensively and Meteorological Research Institute
has decided to investigate them using the low temperature
laboratory.
MRI is currently capable of creating temperatures of
minus 40 oC and the researchers are redesigning the
facility to let it achieve temperatures as low as minus
90 oC. The institute is planning to collect and analyze
data to determine how a subtle distinction in air pressure,
temperature and other factors can affect the formation
of these clouds. The Japan Meteorological Agency has
sought a project of $ 3 million for MRI. After the intended
renovation later this year, the experiments would begin
as soon as possible. MRI hopes that the ability to create
the conditions under which polar clouds form, may help
them devise measures to slow global warming and create
reliable models for the predictions.
Contact for more information Science & Technology Wing Embassy of India
2-2-11, Kudan Minami, Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo 102-0074, Japan
Tel: +81-3-3262-2391 to 97
Fax: +81-3-3234-4866
E-mail: tandonus@hotmail.com
