On the behavior of nitrogen oxides in the stratosphere

A summary is presented of the relative importance of the principal aeronomic processes determining the vertical distribution of NO–NO₂ in the stratosphere. Formation and destruction of nitric oxide are considered with transport processes for steady-state conditions. Estimates of the vertical distribution of NO _x are made for extreme conditions of the eddy diffusion coefficient. It is pointed out that NO is determined by the values which are adopted for its photodissociation coefficient which is related to the absorption of solar radiation in the Schumann-Runge bands of molecular oxygen.     

On the theoretical model for vertical ozone density distributions in the mesosphere and upper stratosphere

Diurnal variations in the vertical ozone density distribution have been calculated for the height range 40–150 km by extending our existing computer programs. The steady-state profiles were first calculated for fifteen constituents in the original program and three additional constituents (CH₄, CO and CO₂); the result was used as the initial condition for the time-dependent solution. The profile of the eddy diffusion coefficient used in this study was determined by comparing the model profile with the observations for CH₄, whose density distribution is verysenstive to the eddy diffusion coefficient The effects of hydrogen and nitrogen compounds on the ozone density are discussed somewhat quantitatively; they reduce the ozone density mainly in the mesosphere and stratosphere, respectively. Special attention is given to the large depression of the ozone density at around 70–85 km, which has been obtained in many theoretical models but has neither been explained nor definitely confirmed by observations. Our time-dependent model indicates that the depression develops at night by the effect of hydrogen-oxygen and nitrogen-oxygen reactions and of eddy diffusion transports. The latter effect also produces an increase of the ozone density after midnight at some heights in the depression region.     

OH radical concentration in the stratosphere

The consumption of both methane and carbon monoxide in the lower stratosphere is due predominantly to reaction with OH radicals. The possibility of deriving OH concentration from measurements of the decrease of CH₄ and CO mixing ratios above the tropopause is explored. The observations and the basic chemistry are briefly summarized. Simple one-dimensional diffusion models are employed to derive expressions for the decrease of CH₄ and CO mixing ratios with altitude above the tropopause, and the influence of important parameters is discussed. Vertical air velocities resulting from large-scale organized mean motion and from synoptic variations are shown to distort the concentration altitude profiles of methane and carbon monoxide, respectively. Suitable averaging of observational data is required to eliminate the effects due to vertical motion. Then a reliable value for the effective OH number density should be obtainable. At present an estimate of 4×10⁶ molecules/cm³ is derived.     

UHF radar observation of strato-tropospheric transfers on the anticyclonic side of a jet streak

An observation by UHF ST radar of a subsidence pattern on the right side of the exit region of a jet streak is reported. The onset of the subsidence pattern occurred at 23:30 UTC on the 29 November 1991, when a downward motion was initiated above 14 km. The injections of stratospheric air in this region seem to have an intermittent nature; they occur during at least three intervals during the lifetime of the subsidence pattern. Comparison of these results with an ECMWF analysis suggests that it is an unfolding case. However, observation of turbulent intensities w’ greater than 60 cm s⁻¹ at the tropopause level also suggests the existence of a turbulent flux between the stratosphere and the troposphere. From the turbulence characteristics measured by the radar and the potential temperature profile obtained by radiosonde data, the eddy diffusivity at the tropopause level has been calculated. An eddy diffusion coefficient ranging between 5 and 7 m² s⁻¹ is found. From these values, and with the assumption of a climatological gradient of the volume mixing ratio of ozone in the lower stratosphere, it is possible to deduce a rough estimate of the amount of ozone injected from the stratosphere into the troposphere during this event. A rate of transfer of 1.5×10²⁰ molecules of ozone per day and per square meter is found.     

Constrains on gravity wave induced diffusion in the middle atmosphere

A review of the important constraints on gravity wave induced diffusion of chemical tracers, heat, and momentum is given. Ground-based microwave spectroscopy measurements of H₂O and CO and rocket-based mass spectrometer measurements of Ar constrain the eddy diffusion coefficient for constituent transport (K _zz ) to be (1–3)×10⁵ cm²s^–1 in the upper mesosphere. Atomic oxygen data also limitsK _zz to a comparable value at the mesopause. From the energy balance of the upper mesosphere the eddy diffusion coefficient for heat transport (D _H ) is, at most 6×10⁵ cm²s^–1 at the mesopause and decreasing substantially with decreasing altitude. The available evidence for mean wind deceleration and the corresponding eddy diffusion coefficient for momentum stresses (D _M ) suggests that it is at least 1×10⁶ cm²s^–1, in the upper mesosphere. Consequently the eddy Prandtl number for macroscopic scale lengths is >3.     

Stratospheric methane measurements and predictions

A new determination of stratospheric methane from 22 km to 35 km altitude with implications on the abundance of this constituent at greater heights is presented. Previous measurements, some of which showed large discrepancies with currently admitted values, have been reinterpreted and brought into agreement. The results are in contradiction according to present theories with thein situ determined CH₄ abundances at the upper edge of the stratosphere. Implications on the vertical transport coefficient used in one dimensional models are discussed.     

Influence of the vertical motion field on ozone concentration in the stratosphere

Computations of the mean meridional motion field in the stratosphere are applied to ozone distributions to evaluate the associated ozone concentration changes. These changes are compared with those produced by photochemical and quasi-horizontal eddy processes. For the period January–April 1964 there is a cooperative action between the mean and eddy motions with mean subsidence in middle latitudes supplying ozone to be carried polawards and equatorwards by quasi-horizontal eddy processes. At low latitudes mean horizontal motions offset the eddy transport while at high latitudes mean rising motion is the offsetting term. The mean ozone flux through 50 mb, 3.5×10²⁹ molecules sec^–1, is comparable with the fluxes evaluated by other techniques.The spring maximum is thought to be due to a modulation of the energy supply to the stratospheric eddies which, in turn, force the mean motions. Longer-term changes are to be expected; for example during Ice Ages when increased tropospheric eddy activity is anticipated there should be higher total ozone.     

我国上空平流层中微量气体的垂直分布和变化趋势

利用1992～2005年卤素掩星试验（HALOE）的观测资料分析了中国上空平流层的几种微量气体（NO, NO2, HF, HCl, CH4, H2O 和O3）混合比的垂直分布和变化趋势，以期为研究平流层的辐射和化学过程提供一些有用的数据. 文中除给出我国上空平流层各高度上平均的各种微量气体的含量外，还给出青藏高原上空这些微量气体的含量. 分析结果表明，平流层各种微量气体混合比的垂直分布有其不同的特征，在对流层上层到平流层底部各种微量气体的混合比分布和季节变化与平流层相比有明显的差异；分析结果还表明，这些微量气体的季节变化、准两年周期振荡和长期变化趋势都很明显，并且在平流层的不同高度上它们的变化趋势是不相同的. 在平流层中层，NO, NO2, HCl 和H2O 混合比在1998年以前都是增加而后则是明显下降的，但O3相反，在1998年以前明显减少，1998年后其减少的趋势不明显. 这表明，近年来平流层中层这些微量气体的减少使得它们对臭氧的破坏有所缓解. 但在平流层下层，臭氧的耗损仍然很明显.     

The structure of the natural stratosphere and the impact of chlorofluoromethanes on the ozone layer investigated in a 2-D time dependent model

two-dimensional time dependent model of the stratosphere incorporating the major interactions between radiative-photochemical and dynamical processes is described. The main prognostic equations considered are the thermodynamic equation and the general conservation equation for the minor chemical constituents representing the odd oxygen (O _x =O+('D)+O₃), odd hydrogen (HO _x =HO+HO₂), N₂O, odd nitrogen (NO _x =NO+NO₂+HNO₃), CF₂Cl₂, CFCl₃ and odd chlorine (Cl _x =Cl+ClO+HCl). The zonal wind and mean meridional circulations are determined diagnostically by the integration of the thermal wind equation and the stream function equation in the meridional plane espectively. The large scale eddy processes are parameterized in terms of zonal mean quantities using the generalized diffusion formulation on a sloping surface. The radiative heating and cooling and the hotochemical sources and sinks are incorporated in a form which allows for the major interactions among the minor trace constituents, temperature and mean circulation.Two integrations consisting of natural stratosphere and a stratosphere contaminated by the chlorofluoromethanes through lower boundary fluxes are carried out for 23 model years by changing the declination of the sun every day and using 6-hour time step. The model simulations of temperature, mean circulation, ozone, HO _x , N₂O and NO _x in the meridional plane for the normal stratosphere, show satisfactory agreement with the available observations. Based on the results of second integration it is found that the injection of chlorofluoromethanes in the atmosphere at the estimated current production rates can lead to significant changes in the meridional distribution of ozone, temperature and NO _x in the middle and upper stratosphere. The results also indicate that the percentage total ozone depletion increases from tropics to high latitudes and from summer to winter high latitudes. Also discussed are the results of additional experiments incorporating the reaction of HO₂ with NO and the reactions involving ClNO₃.     

A Note on the Estimation of Eddy Diffusivity and Dissipation Length in Low Winds over a Tropical Urban Terrain

— Urban terrain poses a challenge for modeling air pollutant diffusion. In tropics, because of the dominant low wind speed environment, the importance of understanding the turbulence diffusion is even more critical, and uncertain. The objective of this study is to estimate the vertical eddy diffusivity of an urban, tropical atmosphere in low–wind speeds. Turbulence measurements at 1 Hz were made at 4-m level over an urban terrain with a roughness length of 0.78 m during winter months. Eddy diffusivity is estimated from spectral quantities of the turbulence data involving turbulent kinetic energy (E) and its dissipation rate (?). The spectral information of the vertical velocity fluctuations is used to estimate the vertical length scale which provides information on the eddy diffusivity. In addition, the product of friction velocity and the vertical length scale has been used to non-dimensionalize the eddy diffusivity, which is shown to increase with increasing instability. Using the eddy diffusivity (K) estimates from the E – ? approach, a relation is suggested for the mixing length based eddy diffusivity models of the form: K = c _w .[2.5 ? 0.5(z/L)], where z is the measurement height, L is the Obukhov length, and c _w has an average value close to 1 for unstable and near 0.5 for stable conditions for the urban terrains.     

Meridional distribution of226Ra in the eastern Pacific along GEOSECS cruise tracks

We present the distribution of²²⁶Ra in eight vertical profiles from the eastern Pacific. The profiles are located along a meridional trend near 125°W, from 43°S to 29°N. Surface²²⁶Ra concentrations are about 7 dpm/100 kg, except for the two stations south of 30°S where the higher values are due to the Antarctic influence. Deep waters show a distinctive south-to-north increase in the²²⁶Ra content, from about 26 to 41 dpm/100 kg near the bottom. Unlike in the Atlantic and Antarctic Oceans, the effect of²²⁶Ra injection from bottom sediments is clearly discernible in the area. The presence of this primary²²⁶Ra can be traced up to at least 1–1.5 km above the ocean floor, making this part of the sea bed among the strongest source regions for the oceanic²²⁶Ra. Numerical solutions of a two-dimensional vertical advection-diffusion model applied to the deep (1.2–4 km)²²⁶Ra data give the following set of best fits: upwelling velocity(V_z) = 3.5m/yr, vertical eddy diffusivity(K_z) = 0.6cm²/s, horizontal (north-south) eddy diffusivity(K_y) = 1 × 10⁷cm²/s, and water-column regeneration flux of²²⁶Ra(J) = 3.3 × 10^?5dpmkg^?1yr^?1 as an upper limit. These parametric values are in general agreement with one-dimensional (vertical) model fits for the Ra-Ba system. However, consideration of²²⁶Ra balance leads us to suspect the appropriateness of describing the vertical exchange processes in the eastern Pacific with constantV_z and K_z. If future modeling is attempted, it may be preferable to treat the area as a diffusion-dominant mixing regime with depth-dependent diffusivities.     

Inertial gravity wave parameters for the lower stratosphere from radiosonde data over China

Characterization of gravity wave(GW)parameters for the stratosphere is critical for global atmospheric circulation models.These parameters are mainly determined from measurements.Here,we investigate variation in inertial GW activity with season and latitude in the lower stratosphere(18-25 km)over China,using radiosonde data with a high vertical resolution over a 2-year period.Eight radiosonde stations were selected across China,with a latitudinal range of 22°-49°N.Analyses show that the GW energy in the lower stratosphere over China has obvious seasonal variation and a meridional distribution,similar to other regions of the globe.The GW energy is highest in winter,and lowest in summer;it decreases with increasing latitude.Velocity perturbations with longitude and latitude are almost the same,indicating that GW energy is horizontally isotropic.Typically,85%of the vertical wavelength distribution is concentrated between elevations of 1 and 3 km,with a mean value of 2 km;it is almost constant with latitude.Over 80%of all the horizontal wavelengths occur in the range 100-800 km,with a mean value of 450km;they show a weak decrease with increasing latitude,yielding a difference of about 40 km over the 22°-49°N range.The ratio of horizontal wavelength over vertical wavelength is about 200:1,which implies that inertial GWs in the lower stratosphere propagate along nearly horizontal planes.Ratios of their intrinsic frequency to the Coriolis parameter decrease with increasing latitude;most values are between 1 and 2,with a mean value of 1.5.Study of the propagation directions of GW energy shows that upward fractions account for over 60%at all stations.In contrast,the horizontal propagation direction is significantly anisotropic,and is mainly along prevailing wind directions;this anisotropy weakens with increasing latitude.     

Eddy diffusion coefficients and the variance of the atmosphere 30–60 km

The results of numerical models or of new observational programs are checked by comparing them with past observations. Also, it is desirable that the eddy diffusion coefficients used in two-dimensional models be derived from the same data set as the circulation statistics which the model outputs are checked against, so that all results refer to the same atmospheric conditions. For the first time, the three components of the eddy diffusion matrix, from 30–60 km, 80°N–10°S are computed, together with the means, variances and covariances of the wind and temperature through the same region using the same data set for 1960–76 and the same handling and analysis methods for all variables. Horizontal diffusivities,K _yy , are obtained from the variance and integral time scale of the meridional wind speed. The present values are generally smaller than past estimates, presumably because temporal variations longer than a month have been removed in this work. Estimates ofK _yz are based on the tentative assumption that the diffusivity is proportional to the slope of isentropic surfaces, and estimates ofK _zz are based on the assumption that small-scale gravity waves are primarily responsible for vertical mixing.     

Importance of subgrid-scale parameterization in numerical simulations of lake circulation

Two subgrid-scale modeling techniques––Smagorinsky’s postulation for the horizontal eddy viscosity and the Mellor–Yamada level-2 model for the vertical eddy viscosity––are applied as turbulence closure conditions to numerical simulations of resolved-scale baroclinic lake circulations. The use of the total variation diminishing (TVD) technique in the numerical treatment of the advection terms in the governing equations depresses numerical diffusion to an acceptably low level and makes stable numerical performances possible with small eddy viscosities resulting from the turbulence closure parameterizations. The results show that, with regard to the effect of an external wind stress, the vertical turbulent mixing is mainly restricted to the topmost epilimnion with the order of magnitude for the vertical eddy viscosity of 10⁻³ m² s⁻¹, whilst the horizontal turbulent mixing may reach a somewhat deeper zone with an order of magnitude for the horizontal eddy viscosity of 0.1–1 m² s⁻¹. Their spatial and temporal variations and influences on numerical results are significant. A comparison with prescribed constant eddy viscosities clearly shows the importance of subgrid-scale closures on resolved-scale flows in the lake circulation simulation. A predetermination of the eddy viscosities is inappropriate and should be abandoned. Their values must be determined by suitable subgrid-scale closure techniques.     

Effect of water depth and the bottom boundary layer upon internal wave generation over abrupt topography

The role of water depth and bottom boundary layer turbulence upon lee-wave generation in sill regions is examined. Their effect upon vertical mixing is also considered. Calculations are performed using a non-hydrostatic model in cross-section form with a specified tidal forcing. Initial calculations in deeper water and a sill height such that the sill top is well removed from the surrounding bed region showed that downstream lee-wave generation and associated mixing increased as bottom friction coefficient k increased. This was associated with an increase in current shear across the sill. However, for a given k, increasing vertical eddy viscosity A _v reduced vertical shear in the across sill velocity, leading to a reduction in lee-wave amplitude and associated mixing. Subsequent calculations using shallower water showed that for a given k and A _v, lee-wave generation was reduced due to the shallower water depth and changes in the bottom boundary layer. However, in this case (unlike in the deepwater case), there is an appreciable bottom current. This gives rise to bottom mixing which in shallow water extends to mid-depth and enhances the mid-water mixing that is found on the lee side of the sill. Final calculations with deeper water but small sill height showed that lee waves could propagate over the sill, thereby reducing their contribution to mixing. In this case, bottom mixing was the major source of mixing which was mainly confined to the near bed region, with little mid-water mixing.     

中层和热层大气的垂直动力传输及其影响

本文根据气体分子运动论导出了垂直动力传输函数,此函数可以代替Nicolet和Mangc的混合比,较好地描述高层大气中从完全混合状态向扩散分离状态的过渡过程。分析了高层大气中湍流运动的观测结果,给出了湍流系数随高度分布的几个模式,利用这些模式计算了惰性气体氩、氦与氮的数密度比的高度剖面,并与箭载质谱仪探空资料作了比较。根据光化-动力传输理论,计算了上中层及低热层大气主要化学成份的高度分布。结果表明:垂直动力传输明显地影响着大气成份的分布。文中还指出,氧分子的光离解系数与其数密度的高度剖面耦合在一起,因而应当由上向下数值求解有源有汇的连续方程组,这样可避免由于光离解系数的假设所造成的误差。     

Empirical model for variation of the continuum emission in the upper atmosphere. 2. Infrared components

The absolute integral intensity of the IR components of the continuum emission is calculated from the laboratory velocities of photochemical reactions between NO and nonexcited and excited O₃ molecules. The vertical intensity distribution of the continuous radiation spectrum of the upper atmosphere (continuum) in the IR area spans a range of heights of the middle atmosphere from 10 to 15 km. A comparison of the calculated values of the continuum intensity with the results of its spectrophotometric surface measurements in the near-IR spectrum allowed refinement of the coefficient of velocity of the NO-ozone reaction responsible for origination of the continuum emission in the IR spectrum range.     

The vertical distribution of CFM and related species in the stratosphere

Available data on halogenated molecules in the stratosphere will be reviewed. Presently vertical profiles of CFCl₃ and CF₂Cl₂ in the stratosphere exist to 50 km altitude. Only measurements in the lower stratosphere are reported for the other major halocarbons, CCl₄ and CH₃Cl. Profiles of the product species ClO, Cl, HCl, and HF exist to about 35 km.Comparison with theoretical profiles from 1-D models shows generally good agreement except for ClO where the earliest measured concentrations exceed the calculated ones considerably.     

Climatological Ertel’s potential-vorticity flux and mean meridional circulation in the extratropical troposphere – lower stratosphere

We investigated to what extent the isentropic, non-geostrophic formulation of zonally averaged circulation derived for stratospheric conditions is applicable to climatological transport in the extratropical troposphere and lower stratosphere. The study is based on 10 years of daily data of ECMWF analysis and on the ECHAM3 climate model of the German Climate Computing Centre. The main result is a scalar isentropic mixing coefficient, K_yy, and a mean meridional transport circulation consistently derived from the same data base. For both data sources, isentropic mean meridional circulation is derived from horizontal mass flow rate for 4 representative months. Alternatively, a mean meridional circulation is calculated from total diabatic heating rates of the ECHAM3 model. It is shown that only the latter is in good agreement with the ECMWF mean meridional circulation. Isentropic analysis also comprises the seasonal cycle of the climatological meridional gradient and flux of Ertels potential vorticity (PV). Application of Tungs flux-gradient relation yields that for all seasons K_yy is positive in height-latitude regions where statistical significance is reached. Large K_yy values, marking regions of more efficient mixing, have been found in the subtropical vertical band of weak westerly wind and in mid-latitudes in regions of upward-propagating baroclinic wave activity in the middle and upper troposphere. Based on the ECMWF data and results of baroclinic-wave behaviour, strong indications are presented that positive zonally averaged PV flux polewards of the jet core in the NH is strengthened by stationary waves and nonlinear effects. Reduced eddy transport is apparent in winter and spring slightly below the subtropical tropopause jet. The seasonal cycle of K_yy from ECHAM3 data is to a great extent in agreement with the result based on ECMWF analysis. In the model, reduced interannual variability enlarges the height-latitude range where sign of K_yy is significant.     

Grain-size distribution in suspension over a sand-gravel bed in open channel flow

Grain-size distributions of suspended load over a sand-gravel bed at two different flow velocities were studied in a laboratory flume.The experiments had been performed to study the influence of flow velocity and suspension height on grain-size distribution in suspension over a sand-gravel bed.The experimental findings show that with an increase of flow velocity,the grain-size distribution of suspended load changed from a skewed form to a bimodal one at higher suspension heights.This study focuses on the determination of the parameter β_n which is the ratio of the sediment diffusion coefficient to the momentum diffusion coefficient of n th grain-size.A new relationship has been proposed involving β_n,the normalizing settling velocity of sediment particles and suspension height,which is applicable for widest range of normalizing settling velocity available in literature so far.A similar parameter β for calculating total suspension concentration is also developed.The classical Rouse equation is modified with β_n and β and used to compute grain-size distribution and total concentration in suspension,respectively.The computed values have shown good agreement with the measured values of experimental data.