Data associated with 'Nucleation of nitric acid hydrates in Polar Stratospheric Clouds by meteoric material'

Heterogeneous nucleation of crystalline nitric acid hydrates in Polar Stratospheric Clouds (PSCs) enhances ozone depletion. However, the identity and mode of action of the particles responsible for nucleation remains unknown. It has been suggested that meteoric material may trigger nucleation of nitric acid trihydrate (NAT; or other nitric acid phases), but this has never been directly demonstrated in the laboratory. Meteoric material is present in two forms in the stratosphere, smoke which results from the ablation and re-condensation of vapours, and fragments which result from the disruption of meteoroids entering the atmosphere. This data and accompanying study show that analogues of both materials have a capacity to nucleate nitric acid hydrates. In combination with estimates from a global model of the amount of meteoric smoke and fragments in the polar stratosphere the data shows that meteoric material probably accounts for NAT observations in early season polar stratospheric clouds in the absence of water ice.