The cause of the spring strengthening of the Antarctic polar vortex

The stratospheric polar vortex strengthening from late winter to spring plays a crucial role in polar ozone depletion. The Arctic polar vortex reaches its peak intensity in mid-winter, whereas the Antarctic vortex usually strengthens in early spring. As a result, the strong ozone depletion is observed every year over the Antarctic, while over the Arctic short-term ozone loss occasionally occurs in late winter or early spring. However, the cause of such a difference in the life cycles of the Arctic and Antarctic polar vortices is still not completely clear. Based on the ERA-Interim reanalysis data, we show a high agreement between the seasonal variations of temperature in the subtropical lower stratosphere and zonal wind in the subpolar and polar lower stratosphere in the Southern Hemisphere. Thus, the spring strengthening of the Antarctic polar vortex can occur due to the seasonal temperature increase in the subtropical lower stratosphere in this period.     

Stratospheric Polar Vortex Splitting in December 2009

Abstract

The 2009–10 Arctic stratospheric winter, in comparison with other recent winters, is mainly characterized by a major Sudden Stratospheric Warming (SSW) in late January associated with planetary wavenumber 1. This event led to a large increase in the temperature of the polar stratosphere and to the reversal of the zonal wind. Unlike other major SSW events in recent winters, after the major SSW in January 2010 the westerlies and polar vortex did not recover to their pre-SSW strength until the springtime transition. As a result, the depletion of the ozone layer inside the polar vortex over the entire winter was relatively small over the past 20 years. The other distinguishing feature of the 2010 winter was the splitting of the stratospheric polar vortex into two lobes in December. The vortex splitting was accompanied by an increase in the temperature of the polar stratosphere and a weakening of the westerlies but with no reversal. The splitting occurred when, in addition to the high-pressure system over northeastern Eurasia and the northern Pacific Ocean, the tropospheric anticyclone over Europe amplified and extended to the lower stratosphere. Analysis of wave activity in the extratropical troposphere revealed that two Rossby wave trains propagated eastward to the North Atlantic several days prior to the vortex splitting. The first wave train propagated from the subtropics and mid-latitudes of the eastern Pacific Ocean over North America and the second one propagated from the northern Pacific Ocean. These wave trains contributed to an intensification of the tropospheric anticyclone over Europe and to the splitting of the stratospheric polar vortex.     

Simulation of the influence of ion-produced NOx and HOx radicals on the antarctic ozone depletion with a one-dimensional model

A one-dimensional time-dependent photochemical model is used to simulate the influence of ion-produced NOx, and HOx radicals on the Antarctic ozone depletion in polar night and polar spring at a latitude of 73 degrees south.Vertical transport and nitrogen-oxygen (NOx), hydrogen-oxygen (HOx) production by ionic reactions have been introduced into the model.NOx and HOx produced by precipitating ions are transported into the lower stratosphere by vertical motion and have some effects in the development of the Antarctic ozone depletion.From winter through spring the calculated ozone column decreases to 269.4 DU. However, this value is significantly higher than the total ozone observed at several Antarctic ozone stations.     

Ozone anomalies in spring over Russia

During more than half-century ozone observations in the high latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere, the significant anomalies of total ozone (TO) with the duration of a month and more were observed in March 1995, 1996, 1997, and 2011 (in 1997 and 2011, they were the most significant and the longest). The maximum total ozone deficit zone over the land was observed over the northern coast of East Siberia. The ozone loss in the anomalies in 1997 and 2011 were associated with the unusual behavior of the circumpolar vortex which was unusually deep, stable, and durable in these years that resulted in the abnormal low temperature in the stratosphere in the high latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere. In subpolar latitudes, the temperature in the lower stratosphere during the period from December 2010 to February 2011 was lower than in 1997. In 2011 due to the durable springtime anomaly, almost over the whole territory of Russia the average annual ozone values turned out to be significantly lower than in the previous decade. The total ozone deficit in the circumpolar vortex in spring 1997 and 2011 amounted to about 140 DU. The formation of large TO anomaly in 2011 indicates that the long-term evolution of ozone layer conditions is a part of the long-term evolution of the Earth climate system.     

The Role of Ozone Depletion in the Lack of Cooling in the Antarctic Upper Stratosphere during Austral Winter

Temperature trends in the upper stratosphere are investigated using satellite measurements from Stratospheric Sounding Unit(SSU) outputs and simulations from chemistry–climate models(CCMs) and the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6(CMIP6). Observational evidence shows a lack of cooling in the Antarctic, in contrast to strong cooling at other latitudes, during austral winter over 1979–97. Analysis of CCM simulations for a longer period of1961–97 also shows a significant contrast in the...     

The Tibetan Ozone Low and Its Long-Term Variation During 1979–2010

A Tibetan ozone low was found in the 1990s after the Antarctic ozone hole.Whether this ozone low has been recovering from the beginning of the 2000s following the global ozone recovery is an intriguing topic.With the most recent merged TOMS/SBUV(Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer/Solar Backscatter Ultra Violet) ozone data,the Tibetan ozone low and its long-term variation during 1979-2010 are analyzed using a statistical regression model that includes the seasonal cycle,solar cycle,quasi-biennial oscillation(QBO),ENSO signal,and trends.The results show that the Tibetan ozone low maintains and may become more severe on average during 1979-2010,compared with its mean state in the periods before 2000,possibly caused by the stronger downward trend of total ozone concentration over the Tibet.Compared with the ozone variation over the non-Tibetan region along the same latitudes,the Tibetan ozone has a larger downward trend during 1979-2010,with a maximum value of-0.40±0.10 DU yr 1 in January,which suggests the strengthening of the Tibetan ozone low in contrast to the recovery of global ozone.Regression analyses show that the QBO signal plays an important role in determining the total ozone variation over the Tibet.In addition,the long-term ozone variation over the Tibetan region is largely affected by the thermal-dynamical proxies such as the lower stratospheric temperature,with its contribution reaching around 10% of the total ozone change,which is greatly different from that over the non-Tibetan region.     

2019-2020冬季北半球超强极涡事件

2019-2020冬季北极平流层极涡异常并且持续的偏强,偏冷.利用NCEP再数据和OMI臭氧数据,本文分析了此次强极涡事件中平流层极涡的动力场演变及其对地面暖冬天气和臭氧低值的影响.此次强极涡的形成是由于上传行星波不活跃.持续的强极涡使得2020年春季的最后增温出现时间偏晚.平流层正NAM指数向下传播到地面,与地面AO指数和NAO指数相一致,欧亚大陆和北美地面气温均比气候态偏暖,在欧亚大陆的一些地区,2020年1月和2月的气温甚至偏高了 10K.2020年2月以来北极臭氧出现了2004年以来的最低值,2020年3-4月60°-90°N的平均臭氧柱总量比气候态偏低了 80DU.     

Interaction of atmospheric chemistry and climate and its impact on stratospheric ozone

The interactively coupled chemistry-climate model ECHAM4.L39(DLR)/CHEM is employed in sensitivity calculations to investigate feedback mechanisms of dynamic, chemical, and radiative processes. Two multi-year model simulations are carried out, which represent recent atmospheric conditions. It is shown that the model is able to reproduce observed features and trends with respect to dynamics and chemistry of the troposphere and lower stratosphere. In polar regions it is demonstrated that an increased persistence of the winter vortices is mainly due to enhanced greenhouse gas mixing ratios and to reduced ozone concentration in the lower stratosphere. An additional sensitivity simulation is investigated, concerning a possible future development of the chemical composition of the atmosphere and climate. The model results in the Southern Hemisphere indicate that the adopted further increase of greenhouse gas mixing ratios leads to an intensified radiative cooling in the lower stratosphere. Therefore, Antarctic ozone depletion slightly increases due to a larger PSC activity, although stratospheric chlorine is reduced. Interestingly, the behavior in the Northern Hemisphere is different. During winter, an enhanced activity of planetary waves yields a more disturbed stratospheric vortex. This "dynamical heating" compensates the additional radiative cooling due to enhanced greenhouse gas concentrations in the polar region. In connection with reduced stratospheric chlorine loading, the ozone layer clearly recovers.     

Record Arctic Ozone Loss in Spring 2020 is Likely Caused by North Pacific Warm Sea Surface Temperature Anomalies

Record ozone loss was observed in the Arctic stratosphere in spring 2020. This study aims to determine what caused the extreme Arctic ozone loss. Observations and simulation results are examined in order to show that the extreme Arctic ozone loss was likely caused by record-high sea surface temperatures(SSTs) in the North Pacific. It is found that the record Arctic ozone loss was associated with the extremely cold and persistent stratospheric polar vortex over February–April, and the extremely cold vortex was a result of anomalously weak planetary wave activity. Further analysis reveals that the weak wave activity can be traced to anomalously warm SSTs in the North Pacific. Both observations and simulations show that warm SST anomalies in the North Pacific could have caused the weakening of wavenumber-1 wave activity, colder Arctic vortex, and lower Arctic ozone. These results suggest that for the present-day level of ozone-depleting substances, severe Arctic ozone loss could form again, as long as certain dynamic conditions are satisfied.     

Quantifying the Response Strength of the Southern Stratospheric Polar Vortex to Indian Ocean Warming in Austral Summer简

A previous multiple-AGCM study suggested that Indian Ocean Warming （IOW） tends to warm and weaken the southern polar vortex.Such an impact is robust because of a qualitative consistency among the five AGCMs used.However,a significant difference exists in the modeled strengths,particularly in the stratosphere,with those in three of the AGCMs （CCM3,CAM3,and GFS） being four to five times as strong as those in the two other models （GFDL AM2,ECHAM5）.As to which case reflects reality is an important issue not only for quantifying the role of tropical ocean warming in the recent modest recovery of the ozone hole over the Antarctic,but also for projecting its future trend.This issue is addressed in the present study through comparing the models＇ climatological mean states and intrinsic variability,particularly those influencing tropospheric signals to propagate upward and reach the stratosphere.The results suggest that differences in intrinsic variability of model atmospheres provide implications for the difference.Based on a comparison with observations,it is speculated that the impact in the real world may be closer to the modest one simulated by GFDL AM2 and ECHAM5,rather than the strong one simulated by the three other models （CCM3,CAM3 and GFS）.In particular,IOW during the past 50 years may have dynamically induced a 1.0℃ warming in the polar lower stratosphere （～100 hPa）,which canceled a fraction of radiative cooling due to ozone depletion.     

Study on the Trace Species in the Stratosphere and Their Impact on Climate

The trace gases （O3, HCl, CH4, H2O, NO, NO2） in the stratosphere play an important role, not only in the photochemical processes in which the ozone layer destroyed, but also in the radiative processes. In this paper, we review the works on the distribution and variation of the trace gases in the stratosphere and their impact on climate, which have been carried out at the University of Science and Technology of China in the recent 20 years. The Halogen Occultation Experiment （HALOE） data were used to analyse the distribution and variation of the mixing ratio of these trace gases and the temperature trends in the stratosphere in the most recent decade. And the reanalyzed National Centers of Environmental Prediction （NCEP）/NCAR data were also used to give the temperature trends and compared with the results from HALOE data. Numerical simulations were also carried out to study the impact of ozone depletion on the global climate. In this review, the distributions of the trace gases, especially those over the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, are discussed, and the variations and trends for the trace gases in various levels in the stratosphere have been given for the most recent decade. The temperature variation and the cooling trend obtained from HALOE data in the middle and lower stratosphere for the last 13 years are significant, which agree well with the results from NCEP/NCAR data. While the temperature trend in the upper stratosphere in this period do not seem to have much cooling. The numerical simulations show that either the Antarctic ozone hole or the ozone valley over Qinghai-Xizang Plateau affect not only the temperature and circulation in the stratosphere, but also the temperature, pressure and wind fields in the troposphere, then lead to the global climate change.     

An update on dynamical changes in the Arctic and Antarctic stratospheric polar vortices

Dynamical changes in the Arctic and Antarctic lower stratosphere from autumn to spring were analysed using the NCEP/NCAR, ERA40 and FUB stratospheric analyses for three periods: 1979–1999, 1979–2005, and 1965–2005. We found a weakening of the Arctic vortex in winter and a strengthening in spring between 1979/1980 and 1998/1999, with corresponding changes in the zonal mean circulation. The vortex formed earlier in autumn and broke down later in spring. These changes however were statistically not significant due to the high interannual dynamical variability in northern hemisphere (NH) winter and spring and the relatively short time series. In the Antarctic, the vortex formed earlier in autumn, intensified in late spring, and broke down later. The changes of the Antarctic vortex were at all levels and for both autumn and spring transitions larger and more significant than the changes of the Arctic vortex. These changes of the 1980s and early to mid 1990s were however not representative of a long-term change. The dynamically more active winters in the Arctic and Antarctic since 1998/1999 led to an enhanced weakening of the polar vortex in winter, and to a reduction of the polar vortex intensification in spring. As two of the recent Arctic major warmings occurred rather early in winter the polar vortex could recover in late winter and the delay in spring breakdown further increased. In contrast, the increase in Antarctic vortex persistence did no longer appear when including the recent winters due to the dominant impact of the three recent dynamically active Antarctic winters in 2000, 2002, and 2004. The long-term changes of 1965/1966–2005 were smaller in amplitude and partly opposite to the trends since the 1980s. There is no significant long-term change in the Arctic vortex lifetime or spring persistence, while the Antarctic vortex shows a long-term deepening and shift towards later spring transitions. The changes in the stratospheric dynamical situation could be attributed in both hemispheres to changes in the dynamical forcing from the troposphere.     

The exceptionally strong and persistent Arctic stratospheric polar vortex in the winter of 2019–2020: 2019-2020冬季北半球超强极涡事件

The Arctic stratospheric polar vortex was exceptional strong, cold and persistent in the winter and spring of 2019–2020. Based on reanalysis data from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction/National Center for Atmospheric Research and ozone observations from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument, the authors investigated the dynamical variation of the stratospheric polar vortex during winter 2019–2020 and its influence on surface weather and ozone depletion. This strong stratospheric polar vortex was affected by the less active upward propagation of planetary waves. The seasonal transition of the stratosphere during the stratospheric final warming event in spring 2020 occurred late due to the persistence of the polar vortex. A positive Northern Annular Mode index propagated from the stratosphere to the surface, where it was consistent with the Arctic Oscillation and North Atlantic Oscillation indices. As a result, the surface temperature in Eurasia and North America was generally warmer than the climatology. In some places of Eurasia, the surface temperature was about 10 K warmer during the period from January to February 2020. The most serious Arctic ozone depletion since 2004 has been observed since February 2020. The mean total column ozone within 60°–90°N from March to 15 April was about 80 DU less than the climatology.摘要2019-2020冬季北极平流层极涡异常并且持续的偏强,偏冷.利用NCEP再数据和OMI臭氧数据, 本文分析了此次强极涡事件中平流层极涡的动力场演变及其对地面暖冬天气和臭氧低值的影响.此次强极涡的形成是由于上传行星波不活跃.持续的强极涡使得2020年春季的最后增温出现时间偏晚.平流层正NAM指数向下传播到地面, 与地面AO指数和NAO指数相一致, 欧亚大陆和北美地面气温均比气候态偏暖, 在欧亚大陆的一些地区, 2020年1月和2月的气温甚至偏高了10K.2020年2月以来北极臭氧出现了2004年以来的最低值, 2020年3-4月60°–90°N的平均臭氧柱总量比气候态偏低了80DU.     

Aspects of stratospheric long-term changes induced by ozone depletion

The effect of the stratospheric ozone depletion on the thermal and dynamical structure of the middle atmosphere is assessed using two 5-member ensembles of transient GCM simulations; one including linear trends in ozone, the other not, for the 1980–1999 period. Simulated temperatures and observations are in good agreement in terms of mean values, autocorrelations and cross correlations. Annual-mean and seasonal temperature trends have been calculated using the same statistical analysis. Simulations show that ozone trends are responsible for reduced wave activity in the Arctic lower stratosphere in February and March, confirming both the role of dynamics in controlling March temperatures and a recently proposed mechanism whereby Arctic ozone depletion causes the reduction in wave activity entering the lower stratosphere. Changes in wave activity are consistent with an intensification of the polar vortex at the time of ozone depletion and with a weakened Brewer–Dobson circulation: A decrease of the dynamical warming/cooling associated with the descending/ascending branch of the wintertime mean residual circulation at high/low latitudes has been obtained through the analysis of temperature observations (1980–1999). Ozone is responsible of about one third of the decrease of this dynamical cooling at high latitudes. An increase in the residual mean circulation is seen in the observations for the 1965–1980 period.     

NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF THE FORMATION MECHANISM OF THE ANTARCTIC OZONE HOLE

The global zonally averaged atmospheric chemistry model is developed in this paper.Theformation mechanism of the Antarctic ozone hole is numerically simulated using the model to checkthe viewpoints on the formation mechanism.The results show that:(1)The Antarctic ozone hole is a special phenomenon resulting from the heterogeneousreactions on the surface of the polar stratospheric cloud particles,under the special conditions oftemperature and circulation in Antarctic spring.The heterogeneous reactions reduce the NO_2concentration,resulting in the decrease of ozone production rate.The ozone content decreaseswhen its production is less than its destruction.This is the direct cause for the formation of theAntarctic ozone hole.(2)The impact of the polar vortex on the transport of trace species is not the determinativefactor in the formation of the Antarctic ozone hole.but makes the intensity of the ozone holechanged.(3)The solar cycles have negligible influence on the intensity of the Antarctic ozone holethrough photochemical reactions.     

NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF OZONE DISTRIBUTIONS AND ITS VARIATION MECHANISM

A 2-D global chemistry-transport model is set up in this paper.The model simulates theatmospheric ozone distributions well with specified dynamical conditions.The analysis of ozonevariation mechanism shows that ozone is chemically in quasi-equilibrium except for the polar nightregion where the variation of ozone concentration is under the control of dynamical processes,thatthe oxygen atoms which produce ozone are mainly provided by the photolysis of O_2 in the upperstratosphere and by the photolysis of NO_2 in the lower stratosphere and the troposphere.and thatthe ozone is destroyed mainly by NO_x:the reactions between NO_x and O_3 and the odd oxygen cyclecontribute 80% to more than 90% of the ozone destruction.     

Numerical Modeling of the Influence of Physical and Chemical Factors on the Interannual Variability of Antarctic Ozone

The variability of Antarctic total column ozone in 1980–2018 is considered. The study analyzes trends in Antarctic total column ozone during the study period as well as the physical and chemical processes affecting the seasonal variability of total column ozone. The main attention is paid to the influence of dynamical processes on the stability of the Antarctic polar vortex, to the formation of polar stratospheric clouds, and to the influence of gas-phase and heterogeneous processes on the surface of polar stratospheric clouds and sulfate aerosol. The method of research is the analysis of the results of ground and satellite observations and numerical modeling of physical and chemical processes over the Antarctic using a global chemistry transport model with the dynamical parameters specified from reanalysis data.     

Variability of the Antarctic Ozone Anomaly in 2011–2018

The variability of parameters of the Antarctic ozone anomaly is studied using data of the TOMS/OMI satellite monitoring of the ozone layer, MERRA-2 reanalysis, and balloon sounding of the vertical distribution of ozone and temperature at the South Pole. The dynamic processes in the Antarctic stratosphere which define conditions for the significant ozone layer destruction are analyzed. Despite the decrease in the concentration of ozone-depleting substances, the significant ozone loss in the recent 8 years was observed in the Antarctic in 2011 and 2015.     

基于DART +WACCM模式搭建的平流层同化、天气预报和气候预测模型研究

本论文基于WACCM（Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model）模式最新版本WACCM6和DART（Data Assimilation Research TestBed）同化工具最新版本Manhattan,开发了中高层大气温度、臭氧和水汽卫星资料的同化接口,搭建了一个包含完整平流层过程的数值同化、天气预报和短期气候预测模型（此后简称模型）;本模型对2020年3～4月平流层大气变化进行了同化观测资料的模拟,并以同化试验输出的分析场作为初值,对5～6月的平流层大气进行了0～30天天气尺度预报以及31～60天短期气候尺度预测的回报试验。结果表明:本模型能较好地重现2020年3、4月北极平流层出现的大规模臭氧损耗事件随时间的演变特征,模拟结果和Microwave Limb Sounder（MLS）卫星观测结果很接近;而未进行同化的模拟试验,虽然可以模拟出北极臭氧损耗现象,但是模拟的臭氧损耗规模相比MLS卫星观测结果要低很多;利用同化试验4月末输出的分析场作为初值,预报的5月北极平流层臭氧体积混合比变化与MLS卫星观测值的差值小于0.5,预测的6月北极平流层臭氧变化只在10～30 hPa之间的区域,与观测之间的差异达到了1 ppm（ppm=10?6）。本模型不但改善了北极平流层化学成分变化的模拟,也显著地提升了北极平流层温度和环流的模拟。本模型同化模拟的3～4月、预报预测的5～6月北极平流层温度和纬向风变化与Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications, Version 2 （MERRA2）再分析资料结果具有很好的一致性,仅在北极平流层顶部,预报预测的温度和纬向风分别与再分析资料之间的均方根误差（RMSE）约为3 K和4 m s?1。未进行同化的试验模拟的3～4月、预报预测的5～6月北极平流层的温度和纬向风与MERRA2再分析资料之间的RMSE在大部分区域都达到6 K及5 m s?1以上。从全球范围来看,本模型对平流层中低层模拟性能改善最为显著,其预报预测结果与观测值之间的差异,比未进行同化试验的结果,减少了50%以上。