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.

For further information please contact

Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology
APCTT Building
C-2 Qutab Institutional Area
P.O.Box - 4575
New Delhi - 110 016
Tel : 91-11-26966509
Fax : 91-11-26856276