Spectroscopic Detection of Stratospheric Hydrogen Cyanide

Abstract

A number of features have been identified as absorption lines of hydrogen cyanide in infrared spectra of stratospheric absorption obtained from a high-altitude aircraft. Column amounts of stratospheric hydrogen cyanide have been derived from spectra recorded on eight flights. The average vertical column amount above 12 kilometers is 7.1 ± 0.8 x 1014 molecules per square centimeter, corresponding to an average mixing ratio of 170 parts per trillion by volume.