A MECHANISM FOR THE FORMATION OF AEROSOL CONCENTRATIONS IN THE ATMOSPHERE OF TITAN

A mechanism of formation of concentrations of light aerosol particles in the turbulent atmosphere of Titan is suggested. Formation of aeroso l concentrations in the region of the temperature inversion is caused by the recently discovered effects of turbulent barodiffusion and turb ulent thermal diffusion. Using the parameters of the atmosphere of Tit an, the relative variation of the optical depth of the atmosphere caus ed by the accumulation of the aerosol particles is estimated. Assuming a steady-state distribution and averaging over the effect of coagulat ion, it is found, in the linear approximation, that optical depth enha ncements of tens of percent may be possible. (C) 1997 Published Elsevi er Science Ltd.