Balloon Network for stratospheric aerosol Observations (BalNeO): A new network to monitor the stratosphere

The stratospheric aerosol layer is a key component of the climate system through its impact on radiation, chemistry and climate. While satellite observations have observed this layer for more than 4 decades through solar occultation, limb scatter and lidar techniques, we still lack in situ measurements to fully understand how its spatial and temporal evolution vary through the influence of multiple sources. Long-term balloon measurements of stratospheric aerosols are available mostly at mid-latitudes and do not cover the tropics, a key region that largely affects the supply and the transport of stratospheric aerosols at global scales. Our team has deployed at multiple locations including Australia, India, Brazil since the past decade to study the impacts of volcanic eruptions, the Asian monsoon and PyroCbs on the stratosphere through in situ measurements. Leveraging on this experience, we believe that the next step is to conduct regular balloon-borne observations through a new network, the Balloon Network for stratospheric aerosol Observation (BalNeO). During this presentation, we will describe the overall objectives of BalNeO and show some preliminary results.