The average tropospheric ozone content and its variation with season and latitude as a result of the global ozone circulation

Evaluations of radiosonde soundings over North America and Europe, measurements aboard commercial airlines, and permanent ozone registrations at nineteen ground-based stations between Tromsö, Norway, and Hermanus, South Africa, yield three belts of higher ozone intrusion from the stratosphera and maximum values of the annual means at about 30°N, at between 40°–45°N and at about 60°N. A marked decrease of the annual mean values of the tropospheric ozone is detected towards the equator and the pole, respectively.In the northen hemisphere the maximum of the annual cycle of the tropospheric ozone concentration occurs in spring at high latitudes and in summer at mid-latitudes.For the tropical region from 30°S to 30°N a strong asymmetry of the northern and southern hemisphere occurs. This fact is discussed in detail. The higher troposphere of the tropics seems to be a wellmixed reservoir and mainly supplied with ozone from the tropopause gap region in the northern hemisphere. The ozone distribution in the lower troposphere of the whole tropics seems to be controlled by the up and down movements of the Hadley cell. The features of large-scale and seasonal variation of tropospheric ozone are discussed in connection with the ozone circulation in the stratosphere, the dynamic processes near the tropopause and the destruction rate at the earth's surface.     

Studies of the vertical distribution of atmospheric ozone in association with western disturbances over India

A series of ozone soundings were made at New Delhi (77°E 28°N) from 21 to 30 January 1969 and 10 to 22 February 1972 to study the changes in the vertical distribution of atmospheric ozone associated with western disturbances. The sonde used was the Indian ozonesonde made in the Instruments Laboratories at Poona.In February 1972, two western disturbances moved eastwards in quick succession across the western Himalayas, the first between the 11th and 13th and the second between the 13th and 15th. Associated with the first tropospheric trough was a high-speed jet stream with wind speeds reaching 180 knots, when the tropopause descended to 304 mb over Delhi. The second trough had no high-speed jet associated with it and the tropopause was at 227 mb. Ozone maxima were observed at 350, 180 and 125 mb in addition to the main peak at 35 mb in association with the upper tropospheric troughs over Delhi and its neighbourhood. A similar lowering of the tropopause and the influx of ozone in shallow layers was observed during the passage of two upper air troughs in January 1969. The study shows that with the approach of upper tropospheric troughs and the simultaneous lowering of the tropopause there is an increased influx in shallow layers of middle latitude ozone-rich air through breaks in the tropopause, replacing the subropical ozone-poor air over the station.     

The role of dynamics in total ozone deviations from their long-term mean over the Northern Hemisphere

Total ozone anomalies (deviation from the long-term mean) are created by anomalous circulation patterns. The dynamically produced ozone anomalies can be estimated from known circulation parameters in the layer between the tropopause and the middle stratosphere by means of statistics. Satellite observations of ozone anomalies can be compared with those expected from dynamics. Residual negative anomalies may be due to chemical ozone destruction. The statistics are derived from a 14 year data set of TOMS (Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer January 1979-Dec. 1992) and corresponding 300 hPa geopotential (for the tropopause height) together with 30 hPa temperature (for stratospheric waves) at 60°N. The correlation coefficient for the linear multiple regression between total ozone (dependent variable) and the dynamical parameters (independent variables) is 0.88 for the zonal deviations in the winter of the Northern Hemisphere. Zonal means are also significantly dependent on circulation parameters, besides showing the known negative trend function of total ozone observed by TOMS. The significant linear trend for 60°N is 3 DU/year in the winter months taking into account the dependence on the dynamics between the tropopause region and the mid-stratosphere. The highest correlation coefficient for the monthly mean total ozone anomalies is reached in November with 0.94.     

Studies of variations in the vertical ozone profiles over India

The latitudinal and temporal variations in the vertical profiles of ozone over the Indian subcontinent are discussed. In the equatorial atmosphere represented by Trivandrum (8°N) and Poona (18°N), while tropospheric ozone shows marked seasonal variations, the basic pattern of the vertical distribution of ozone in the stratosphere remains practically unchanged throughout the year, with a maximum at about 28 to 26 km and a minimum just below the tropopause. The maximum total ozone occurs over Trivandrum in the summer monsoon season and the latitudinal anomaly observed over the Indian monsoon area at this time is explained as arising from the horizontal transport of ozone-rich stratospheric air from over the thermal equator to the southern regions.In the higher latitudes represented by New Delhi (28°N), the maximum occurs at 23 km. Delhi, which lies in the temperate regime in winter, shows marked day-to-day variations in association with western disturbances and the strong westerly jet stream that lies over north and central India at this time.Although the basic pattern of the vertical distribution of ozone in the equatorial atmosphere is generally the same in all seasons, significant though small changes occur in the lower stratosphere and in the troposphere. There are small perturbations in the ozone and temperature structures, distinct ozone maxima being always associated with temperature inversions. There are also large perturbances not related to temperature, ozone-depleted regions normally reflecting a stratification of either destructive processes or materials such as dust layers or clouds at these levels. Particularly interesting are the upper tropospheric levels just below the tropopause where the ozone concentration is consistently the smallest, in all seasons and at all places where soundings have been made in India.     

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.     

Statistical characteristics of the vertical ozone distribution in mid-latitudes

Summary The correlation matrix for the vertical ozone distribution and the temperature-ozone cross-correlation matrix, which was calculated from ozone soundings made over Berlin between 1967 and 1970, the statistical structure of the vertical ozone profile (correlation coefficients, average profiles, average standard deviation, relative variability) was derived for the three ozone seasons. The partial ozone pressure does not at all heights follow a normal distribution (e. g. at tropopause level). Generally, the correlation between tropospheric and stratospheric ozone is rather poor. In some layers the highest correlation coefficients, i.e. –0.3 and +0.4, occur in autumn (October to December) and in winter and spring (January to April). The correlation between the ozone amounts of various stratospheric layers is distinct in autumn, less distinct in summer (May to September) and entirely missing from January to April. Conspicuous cross-correlations between temperature and ozone have been found for all three seasons. a) With a negative correlation between tropospheric temperature and middle tropospheric to middle stratospheric ozone (maximum up to –0.8); b) with a rather strong positive correlation between the ozone amount and the temperature in the lower stratosphere (maximum up to +0.84); c) with a positive correlation between the ozone amount of the middle stratosphere and the temperature of the middle stratosphere (maximum up to +0.8). The highest correlation coefficients occur in autumn.     

Changes of Ozone Content at Middle Latitudes During Forbush Decreases in Cosmic Rays

The variations of total ozone at Alma-Ata (43°N, 76 °E) and ozone profiles obtained by balloon sounding at Tateno (36°N, 140°E), Wallops Island (38°N, 75°W) and Cagliari (39°N, 9°E) in the periods of Forbush decreases (FD) in galactic cosmic rays have been analysed. A decrease of total ozone was observed in the initial stage of the FD and an increase 10–11 days later. The average total deviations calculated using the superposed epoch method for 9 FD events are equal to 30 D. U. in the positive and to –18 D. U. in the negative phase. The changes of average ozone profiles, associated with 26 FD events, are more significant in the lower stratosphere and upper troposphere. The decrease of the partial ozone pressure at a height of 12–15 km is about 30 mb. These vertical variations of ozone coincide with the average changes of the respective temperature profiles. A cooling, on the average, of 3°C was observed at 12–15 km, and a heating of 4°C below this level.     

Calculating the global mass exchange between stratosphere and troposphere

Large-scale cross-tropopause mass fluxes are diagnosed globally from 1979 to 1989 for Northern Hemisphere winter conditions (December, January, and February). Results of different methods of approaches with regard to the definition of the tropopause and the way to calculate the mass fluxes are compared and discussed. The general pattern of the mass exchange from the tropopause into the stratosphere and vice versa agrees fairly well when using different methods, but the absolute values can differ up to 100%.An inspection of the temporal development of the mass fluxes for solstice conditions indicates a complex picture. Whereas a permanent significant downward flux from the stratosphere into the troposphere is detected for latitude regions nearly between 25^°N and 40^°N and between 30^°S and 50^°S (initiated by the poleward branches of the Hadley cells), a non-uniform behaviour is observed at higher latitude bands. Periods of strong mass exchange from the troposphere into the stratosphere are disrupted by periods of an opposite mass exchange. A comparison of the stratoshere-troposphere (ST) exchange with the exchange at higher altitudes through surfaces, quasi-parallel to the tropopause, excludes a general connection. Only a few strong upward directed ST mass exchange events have counterparts at higher altitudes. The composition of the stratosphere may be influenced directly by the ST exchange only in a thin layer above the tropopause.     

Ozone distribution over India

The spatial and temporal distribution of total ozone over India and its vertical distribution in theatmosphere during 1964–1969 was studied using Dobson spectrophotometer data at a network of six stations in India, Srinagar (34°N), New Delhi (28°N), Varanasi (24°N), Ahmedabad (23°N), Dum Dum (22°N), and Kodaikanal (10°N). The annual and seasonal variations show a clear phase-shift in the occurrence of the ozone maxima and minima as one proceeds from higher to lower latitudes in the tropics. In the northern stations (north of 25°N) the increase in total ozone during the course of the annual variation is caused by the fractional increase in all layers from the ground to 28 km, the main contribution coming from 10–24 km. Above 28 km the concentration changes roughly in accordance with photochemical production.In lower latitudes (south of 25°N) an increase in total ozone amount during the annual cycle is caused by a gradual increase in all the layers from the ground to 36 km above which the variation is negligible.     

Seasonal acceleration of the rate of total ozone decreases over Central Europe: impact of tropopause height changes

Total ozone data from some European stations have been analyzed to detect the ozone decrease in different seasons from 1979 to 1995. The differences between the winter–spring (December–March) and summer (May–August) total ozone means have decreased distinctly during the last three decades, by 10 Dobson Units per decade, showing that the winter–spring decrease is significantly stronger than the summer one. Applying a multiple regression model to the monthly means of tropopause height, positive trends in the summer and winter–spring seasons have been found, especially since 1979. This corresponds to the accelerating ozone decrease then. The possibility of using tropopause height variations as an indicator of dynamical variability in the total ozone trend model is discussed. The total ozone response to the changes of tropopause height seems to be independent of timescale over which the tropopause-total ozone relationship has been examined (month-to-month, interannual). The total ozone trends, as well as the accelerated rate of ozone decrease since 1979 in the winter–spring and summer seasons, respectively, are reduced by about 0.5–1% per decade after inclusion of the tropopause height effect on the ozone model.     

Meridional distribution of tropospheric ozone from measurements aboard commercial airliners

Aboard commercial airliners twenty registrations of the ozone concentration of the upper troposphere were carried out within a period of 14 months between Europe and South Africa. Nearly each of these meridional ozone profiles shows an approximately constant ozone content between 25°S and 25°N with a pronounced seasonal variation. Most of these profiles show two marked peaks of the ozone concentration at about 30°N and between 40° and 45°N. Though the number of these registrations is not sufficient for statistical computations, the first results confirm the meridional ozone distribution, which was expected from studies with ozone-radiosonde soundings. Moreover a strong asymmetry of the northern and southern hemisphere is confirmed by these ozone measurements.     

Ozone distribution over Mediterranean,central and southeast Europe during the International Quiet Sun Year (1964–1965)

Summary Ozone observations made during 1964 and 1965 at nine Mediterranean, central and southeast European stations (latitudes 38–52°N, longitudes 9–23°E) reveal patterns of seasonal and shorter time-variations in total ozone as well as in vertical ozone distribution. During the winter-spring season, a significant increase (20%) of ozone occurs essentially simultaneously with the spring stratospheric warming, and is noticed at all stations.—Autocorrelation coefficients show that the total ozone on any day is strongly related to the total ozone of the preceding four days in summer or one or two days in winter-spring or autumn. Changes of total ozone in southeast Europe correlate closely with those in Mediterranean Europe, and less closely with those from north central Europe.—Power spectrum analysis detects the dependence of ozone changes on processes with periods longer than 6–8 days, and indicates a significant oscillation with a period of 14–15 days, perhaps a result of the direct influence of lower stratospheric circumhemispheric circulation. — Reliable vertical ozone soundings were not available from all stations. The mean vertical profiles at Arosa, Switzerland (47°N) and Belsk, Poland (51°) are very similar. More than 60% of the variability of the total ozone is contributed by changes in ozone concentration between 10 and 24 km; less than 10% is due to variations above 33 km. Changes in ozone partial pressure at different altitudes, and relationships of those changes to total ozone, indicates that a mean vertical ozone distribution may be described adequately by considering the ozone changes in four layers: a) the troposphere, b) the lower stratosphere up to 24 km, c) a transition layer from 24 km to a variable upper border at 33–37 km, and d) the layer above 33–37 km.Part of this paper was presented at the Ozone Seminar in Potsdam, Germany, 27 September 1966.     

The mean ozone distribution from several series of rocket soundings to 52 km at latitudes from 58°S to 64°N

The results of 21 rocket flights of Arcas optical ozonesondes have been combined to produce estimates of the mean ozone distribution and its variability which apply to a broad range of latitudes. The flights were launched at sites from near the equator to 58°S and to 64°N in the years from 1965 to 1971. The local-noon mean ozone densities in molecules/cubic centimeter are 7.0×10¹⁰ at 50 kw, 6.7×10¹¹ at 40 km, 3.1×10¹² at 30 km, and 3.1×10¹² at 20 km. The maximum density is 4.5×10¹² at 24 km. The range of observed densities is about ±30% of the mean value at 50 km, ±40% at 40 km, ±40% at 30 km and +200%, –66% at 20 km. The variabilities at the higher altitudes in this set of observations are much less than that indicated from previous measurements.     

Relations entre la répartition verticale de l'ozone atmosphérique et l'évolution de la situation météorologique en Europe occidentale

Résumé L'analyse des sondages effecturés au cours de quinze mois à partir de la Station Scientifique du Val-Joyeux près de Paris, montre que les couches où la pression partielle d'ozone est maximale ne sont pas celles où la température est maximale. La pression partielle d'ozone de ces couches n'est pas en relation avec la température de la tropopause, mais est conditionnée par la position géographique sur l'Europe du plus proche thalweg.L'épaisseur réduite totale d'ozone est indépendante de la direction du flux à 100mb, mais présente une relation non linéaire avec l'altitude de la deuxieme tropopause.L'existence d'une relation entre l'allure de la courbe de répartition verticale de l'ozone et la situation météorologique au niveau du sol quarte jours après le sondage, est mise en évidence.

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Summary An analysis of the soundings launched at the Val-Joyeux Scientific Station during 15 months shows that the layers containing higher ozone partial pressure are not those of higher absolute temperature. Their ozone pressure has no relation with the temperature of the tropopause but is conditioned by the position of Europe nearest through.The total ozone amounts are independent of the direction of the 100-mb flow but present a non-linear correlation with the second tropopause height.The existence of certain relations between ozone vertical profiles and the meteorological situation at the surface four days after the sounding is pointed out.

     

Comparison of the Nimbus-4 BUV ozone data with the Ames two-dimensional model

A comparison is made of the first two years of Nimbus-4 backscattered ultraviolet (BUV) ozone measurements with the predictions of the Ames two-dimensional model. The ozone observations used in this study consist of the mixing ratio on the 1-, 2-, 5-, and 10-mb pressure surfaces. These data are zone and time averaged to obtain seasonal means for 1970 and 1971 and are found to show strong and repeatable meridional and seasonal dependencies. The model used for comparison with the observations extends from 80°N to 80°S latitude and from altitudes of 0 to 60 km with 5° horizontal grid spacing and 2.5-km vertical grid spacing. The chemical reaction and photolysis rate constants used in the model are those recommended in the report of the NASA Panel for Data Evaluation (1979) Chemical reaction and photolysis rates are diurnally averaged, and the photodissociation rates are corrected for the effects of scattering.It is found that the large altitude, latitude, and seasonal changes in the ozone data agree well with the model predictions. Also shown are model predictions of the sensitivity of the comparisons to changes in the assumed mixing ratios of water vapor, odd nitrogen, and odd chlorine, as well as to changes in the ambient temperature and transport parameters.     

Low-latitude total ozone measurements in the Brazilian sector

Regular measurements of the atmospheric ozone in the Brazilian sector were started at Cachoeira Paulista (22.7°S, 45.0°W), and Natal (5.8°S, 35.2°W) in May 1974 and November 1978, respectively. The results of the total ozone measurements carried out at these two stations up to 1981 are presented in this communication and compared with other low-and mid-latitude stations. Although Natal is an equatorial station, it presents a prominent annual variation, and the average total ozone content is high compared to satellite measurements. During 1977–78, abnormally low values of total ozone were observed at Cachoeira Paulista. Some preliminary results about the QBO 9quasi-biennial oscillation) during 1974–81 are also presented.     

Discontinuous Nature of the Lower Part of the South American Wadati-Benioff Zone in The Arica Elbow Region

The Arica Elbow region represents that part of Andean South America where the azimuth of the strike of the Peru-Chile trench changes from 150° to 190°. The area under study is roughly bounded by latitudes 17 °S and 23 °S, The shape of the Wadati-Benioff zone was studied in terms of the distribution of ISC hypocentres dated between 1964 and 1993. A system of 22 vertical cross-sections, perpendicular to the trench axis, and a map of epicentres was used to derive the detailed shape of the Wadati-Benioff zone of the presently descending slab. The distribution of earthquake foci indicates a fingerlike shape of the lower part of the Wadati-Benioff zone beneath the aseismic gap. The slab length shows small changes around 350 km in the northern sections, pronounced length oscillations between 350 and 750 km in the neighbouring central sections and a constant value of 650 km in the southern sections. The dip and thickness of the Wadati-Benioff zone are practically constant in all sections. Fault plane solutions, separated spatially into three zones, were used to estimate the state of stress in the slab.     

Temporal characteristics of tropopause and lower stratosphere over Taiwan during 1990–1995

Temperature structures in the height range of 0–30 km over Pan Chiao (25°N, 121°E) in northern Taiwan were studied for the period 1990–1995 using radiosonde data. The purpose of this study is to see the annual variation of tropopause temperature and height and also to study local temperature perturbations caused by the series of volcanic eruptions at Mount Pinatubo in June 1991. While the annual variation in the tropopause height and temperature is clearly observed, we found a large increase in the temperature at the tropopause and in the lower stratospheric region during the year 1992. The tropopause is warm during the year 1992 and temperature increase at the tropopause is nearly 6°C in January 1992. The annual average temperature at the lower stratosphere during 1992 shows an increase of 2°C from the normal trend. The effects of Pinatubo are in general different in the troposphere and stratosphere.     

Effets de l'activité solaire sur l'ozone atmosphérique et la hauteur de la tropopause

Summary A statistical study of experimental data concerning total ozone thicknesses and tropopause heights in several stations in Europe, Asia and Africa brings to the following preliminary results: 1) The height of the tropopause increases when the sunspot number increases, the increase being greater when the latitude is lower. The maximum of both effects seems to take place at the magnetic equator and not at the geographic equator; 2) Magnetic storms are in numerous cases connected with variations of ozone thickness; the thickness first decreases then increases before the storm; the ozone minimum is observed 24 or 36 hours before the maximum of magnetic activity. A two years study shows a similar variation for both phenomena.     

Do Solar Flares Affect Total Ozone?

An analysis of total ozone from Hradec Králové (50.25°N, 15.21°E) and of radio wave absorption in the lower ionosphere at 1539 kHz (reflection point 50.3°N, 11.8°E) shows that there is no detectable effect of strong solar flares in total ozone, no correlation between total ozone and absorption on a day-to-day time scale, and that strong solar flares do not affect this correlation. Thus the long-term correlation of monthly average values (Alberca et al., 1996) is not reproduced on a day-to-day time scale, and the effects of strong geomagnetic storms in total ozone (Latovika et al., 1992; Mlch and Latovika, 1996) have no counterpart in effects of strong solar flares.