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The total hydrogen budget of the stratosphere and lower mesosphere has been examined using vertical mixing ratio profiles of H 2 O and CH 4 measured by the Atmospheric Trace Molecule Spectroscopy (ATMOS) experiment from four space shuttle missions. The oxidation of CH 4 and H 2 is investigated by evaluating the quantity H (=H 2 O + 2 CH 4 ) entering the stratosphere, and examining its conservation with altitude in the upper atmosphere. Data from all four ATMOS missions indicate H to be nearly conserved in the lower stratosphere and to exhibit a broad maximum in the 35‐ to 65‐km range. The observations provide evidence of a secondary source of H 2 O from H 2 oxidation at altitudes from 35 to 55 km, and net production of H 2 at altitudes above ∼55 km. ATMOS measurements of H 2 O and CH 4 permit the first evaluation of a sickle‐shaped vertical profile of H 2 that is qualitatively consistent with profiles calculated using two‐dimensional models.
Abbas et al. (Thu,) studied this question.