Halogen emissions from a small volcanic eruption: Modeling the peak concentrations, dispersion, and volcanically induced ozone loss in the stratosphere

Abstract

Aircraft measurements in the Hekla, Iceland volcanic plume in February 2000 revealed large quantities of hydrogen halides within the stratosphere correlated to volcanic SO 2 . Investigation of the longer‐term stratospheric impact of these emissions, using the 3D chemical transport model, SLIMCAT suggests that volcanic enhancements of H 2 O and HNO 3 increased HNO 3 ·3H 2 O particle availability within the plume. These particles activated volcanic HCl and HBr, enhancing model plume concentrations of ClO x (20 ppb) and BrO x (50 ppt). Model O 3 concentrations decreased to near‐zero in places, and plume average O 3 remained 30% lower after two weeks. Reductions in the model O 3 column reduced UV shielding by 15% for 2 days. Plume incorporation into the winter polar vortex after 1 March elevated model vortex Cl y and Br y by 0.15 ppb and 7 ppt respectively, and doubled vortex ClO x and BrO. Model results agree quantitatively with the observations made by the DC‐8 aircraft.