Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 13, 2025
09:41
Emission Spectroscopic Boundary Layer Investigation during Ablative Material Testing in Plasmatron
Published on: June 9, 2016
12.4K
Metals from spacecraft reentry in stratospheric aerosol particles
Daniel M Murphy1,2, Maya Abou-Ghanem1, Daniel J Cziczo2
1Chemical Sciences Laboratory, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Boulder, CO 80305.
Summary
Spacecraft reentry is introducing significant amounts of metal into the stratosphere. These metals are detected in sulfuric acid particles, potentially altering stratospheric aerosol composition.
Area of Science:
- Atmospheric chemistry
- Space science
- Environmental science
Background:
- The number of low Earth orbit satellites is rapidly increasing, with projections of 50,000 by 2030.
- Spacecraft reentry produces metal vapors that form aerosol particles in the stratosphere.
- Previous models focused on surviving objects, not the fate of vaporized metals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and impact of metals from spacecraft reentry in the stratosphere.
- To quantify the contribution of reentry metals to stratospheric aerosol composition.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of stratospheric sulfuric acid particles for elemental composition.
- Comparison of detected metal ratios with known spacecraft alloy compositions.
- Quantification of metal mass from reentry versus cosmic dust influx.
Main Results:
- Over 20 elements from spacecraft reentry were identified in stratospheric sulfuric acid particles.
- The mass of certain metals (Li, Al, Cu, Pb) from reentry exceeds cosmic dust influx.
- Approximately 10% of large stratospheric sulfuric acid particles contain reentry metals.
Conclusions:
- Spacecraft reentry is a measurable source of metals in the stratosphere.
- Future increases in satellite numbers could significantly increase metallic content in stratospheric aerosols.
- The impact of this metallic enrichment on stratospheric aerosol properties remains unknown.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Interference
203
In atomic emission spectroscopy (AES), high-temperature atomizers excite a broad range of elements and molecules that generate complex emissions from sources such as oxides, hydroxides, and flame combustion products in the flame or plasma. Several strategies can be employed to minimize spectral interferences caused by overlapping emission lines or bands. These include increasing instrument resolution, choosing alternative emission lines, optimally placing the detector in low-background regions,...
203
01:25Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Atomization Methods
537
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) atomizes samples through flame atomization or electrothermal atomization. Flame atomization typically involves a nebulizer and spray chamber assembly to combine the sample with a fuel–oxidant mixture, creating a fine aerosol mist that enters a burner. Typically, the fuel and oxidant are combined in an approximately stoichiometric ratio. However, for atoms that are easily oxidized, a fuel-rich mixture may be more advantageous. Only about 5% of the...
537
01:20Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Overview
2.3K
Atomic emission spectroscopy (AES) is an analytical technique used to determine the elemental composition of a sample by analyzing the light emitted from excited atoms. In AES, atoms in a sample are excited to higher energy levels by thermal energy from high-temperature sources, such as plasma, arcs, or sparks. When these excited atoms return to lower energy states, they emit light at specific wavelengths characteristic of each element. The resulting atomic emission spectrum, which consists of...
2.3K
01:29Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Lab
174
AES is a powerful analytical technique, especially effective when used with plasma sources, producing abundant spectra in characteristic emission lines. The Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP), in particular, yields superior quantitative analytical data due to its high stability, low noise, low background, and minimal interferences under optimal experimental conditions. However, newer air-operated microwave sources are emerging as promising alternatives that could be more cost-effective than...
174
01:25Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Interference
795
Interference leads to systematic error in atomic absorption (AA) measurements by enhancing or diminishing the analytical signal or the background. These interferences can be grouped into three main categories: spectral interference, chemical interference, and physical interference.
Spectral interference occurs when signals from other elements or molecules overlap with the analyte signal, falsely elevating or masking the analyte's absorbance. This interference can be corrected using Zeeman,...
Spectral interference occurs when signals from other elements or molecules overlap with the analyte signal, falsely elevating or masking the analyte's absorbance. This interference can be corrected using Zeeman,...
795
01:20Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS): Interferences
494
Inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP–MS) is a highly selective and sensitive technique for accurate elemental analysis. Though the analysis of ICP–MS mass spectra is comparatively straightforward, it is affected by spectroscopic and non-spectroscopic interferences. Spectroscopic interferences arise when the plasma contains ionic species with an m/z value the same as the analyte ion. Spectroscopic interference can be categorized as isobaric, polyatomic ions, and...
494