Stratospheric in situ measurements of H2SO4 and HSO3 vapors during a volcanically active period

In situ measurements of stratospheric H₂SO₄ and HSO₃vapors using passive chemical ionization mass spectrometry were made in October 1982 after the eruption of volcano El Chichon. Data were obtained between about 20 and 41 km showing H₂SO₄ + HSO₃] sum concentrations between about 10⁴ and 2 × 10⁵ cm^?3 below 29 km and a steep rise above this altitude. Maximum H₂SO₄ + HSO₃] values of about 3 × 10⁶ cm^?3 are reached above 35 km.Partial HSO₃] concentrations increase above 34 km reaching about $\text{4 × 10}{}^5\text{cm}{}^{\mathrm{?3}}$ around 40 km. From the measurements it is concluded that H₂SO₄ and probably HSO₃photolysis have an important influence above 34 km leading to the observed increase of HSO₃] and a depletion of H₂SO₄vapor.It also seems that the data support the view of heterogeneous HSO₃ removal. If correct, this would imply that stratospheric aerosols are formed primarily from HSO₃ rather than H₂SO₄vapor.