LATITUDE VARIATIONS OF STRATOSPHERIC TRACE GASES

We present vertical column abundances of H2O, N2O, HNO3, NO2, O3, HF, HCl, and ClNO3 determined from solar absorption spectra measured by th e JPL MkIV interferometer from the NASA DC-8 aircraft. These observati ons, taken in 1987 and 1992, covered latitudes ranging from 85-degrees -S to 85-degrees-N. Although most gases display latitude symmetry, lar ge asymmetries in H2O, HNO3, and O3 are apparent, which can be ascribe d to processes enhanced by the colder Antarctic winter temperatures.