Annual and semiannual oscillations of stratospheric ozone

The global structures of annual oscillation (AO) and semiannual oscillation (SAO) of stratospheric ozone are examined by applying spherical harmonic analysis to the ozone data obtained from the Nimbus-7 solar backscattered UV-radiation (SBUV) measurements for the period November 1978 to October 1980. Significant features of the results are: (1) while the stratospheric ozone AO is prevalent only in the polar regions, the ozone SAO prevails both in the equatorial and polar stratospheres; (2) the vertical distribution of the equatorial ozone SAO has a broad maximum of the order of 0.5 (mixing ratio in g/g) and the maximum appears earlier at high altitude (shifting from May [and November] at 0.3 mb [60 km] to November [and May] at 40 mb); (3) above the 40 km level, the maximum of the polar ozone SAO shifts upward towards later phase with altitude with a rate of approximately 10 km/month in both hemispheres; (4) vertical distributions of the polar ozone AOs and SAOs show two peaks in amplitude with a minimum (nodal layer) in between and a rapid phase change with altitude takes place in the respective nodal layers; and (5) the heights of the ozone AO- and SAO-peaks decrease with latitude. The main part of AOs and SAOs of stratospheric ozone including hemispheric asymmetries is ascribable to: (i) temperature dependent ozone photochemistry in the upper stratosphere and mesosphere, (ii) variations of radiation field in the lower stratosphere affected by the annual cycle of solar illumination and temperature in the upper stratosphere and (iii) meridional ozone transport by dynamical processes in the lower stratosphere.     

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.     

The summer maximum in total ozone over northwest Europe

Station records of ozone observations have been critically reviewed to investigate the reality of the reported maximum in total ozone over northwest Europe in July. The existence of a longitudinal excess of ozone over the British Isles is confirmed but strong horizontal gradients can be verified only over central Europe and there is no evidence for east-west gradients over the Atlantic. Ozone sounding data as well as total ozone daily variability make it most plausible that the ozone excess over northwest Europe is confined to the lower stratosphere. The isopleths in the region of strong ozone gradients are parallel to the mean flow at 100 mb as required by the calculated constraint on the magnitude of the mean flow advection. It is proposed that analyses of the ozone distribution over oceanic areas could be improved by extending ozone isopleths parallel to the mean lower stratospheric flow from land areas where the pattern is better defined.     

Application of general circulation models to the study of stratospheric ozone

Summary Observations of the ozone distribution indicate that modifications are required to the photochemical theory. These modifications involve ozone destruction by hydrogen and nitrogen products and ozone transport (both vertical and horizontal) due to atmospheric motions in the stratosphere. If the photochemical terms in the ozone continuity equation are omitted, changes due to atmospheric transport alone can be evaluated.Numerical computations were made of the three-dimensional wind structure as derived from the 12-layer (0–36 km) General Circulation Model developed by NCAR. The results showed that ozone is transported from the equatorial stratosphere poleward and downward in both hemispheres. The horizontal transport is primarily by the Hadley Cell in the tropics and by large-scale eddies in mid and high latitudes. The dominant mechanism for ozone transport are found to be similar to those derived for the horizontal heat and momentum transport found in other general circulation studies.     

Relation between the intensity of the stratospheric circumpolar vortex and the accumulation of ozone in the winter hemisphere

Summary The intensity of the polar vortex at 10 mb is used to calculate theoretical values of mean total ozone north of 40° latitude. A satisfactory fit is attained between the development in time of the theoretical ozone and that of the mean of the observed total ozone. The results lead to the conclusion, that a one-cell mean meridional motion relative to the polar night vortex is important for the transport of heat and ozone.     

Further ozone transport calculations and the spring maximum in ozone amount

Summary Calculations of the covariance between ozone amounts and meridional wind in the lower stratosphere are presented for all stations in the northern hemisphere for the IGY-IGC. Northward ozone transport occurs by large-scale quasi-horizontal transient and standing eddies and the transport is a maximum early in the year. It is suggested that the transport is governed by the exchange of energy between the troposphere and stratosphere and data are presented on the energy transformations within the lower stratosphere and the transfer of energy into the region which support this suggestion. The vertical flux of energy is also calculated from tropospheric data and its seasonal changes are seen to be in the correct phase to explain the spring maximum in ozone amount.The research reported in this article was sponsored by the Atomic Energy Commission under Contract AT (30-1)2241.     

Meridional eddy flux of enthalpy in the Southern Hemisphere during the IGY

Summary From meteorological IGY data for the calendar year 1958, the mean meridional eddy transport of enthalpy was evaluated for the Southern Hemisphere. Levels chosen for the study were 1000, 850, 700, 500, 400, 300, 200, 150 and 100 mb. Data from 84 Southern Hemisphere and 25 equatorial Northern Hemisphere stations were used. Yearly mean quantities related to meridional eddy enthalpy flux were computed and analyzed.It was found that around 40° S there is a double-maximum zone of poleward, meridional, transient eddy enthalpy flux, the stronger transport occurring at 850 mb, and the weaker near 200 mb. The countergradient transient eddy flux regions in the low latitude mid-troposphere and in the middle and upper latitude lower stratosphere, found in previous Northern Hemisphere investigations, were observed to exist in the Southern Hemisphere also. The standing eddy heat transport, as expected, was very weak except at high latitudes where Antarctic continentality effected a large double-maximum poleward flux centered near the surface and in the lower stratosphere. The total vertically integrated enthalpy transport by the eddies was found to be poleward everywhere, reaching a maximum between 35° and 40° S.     

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.     

Comparison of Backscatter Ultraviolet (BUV) and ground-based total ozone fields for December 1970

For the period December 1970, comparison is made between the monthly average analyses (mapped fields) of the Backscatter Ultraviolet (BUV) total ozone data and the ground-based observations. In particular, significant differences of over 50 Dobson units are noted over the region of the North Atlantic Ocean with the BUV of greater magnitude than the ground-based data. As part of the overall verification program, both analyses are compared against the 100 mb height fields. The results indicate that the BUV analysis in the region of question is the more consistent of the two.     

东亚地区春季黑碳气溶胶源排放及其浓度分布

本研究收集整理了东亚地区一个黑碳气溶胶的排放源,并利用一个三维化学输送模式系统模拟研究了东亚地区春季黑碳气溶胶的输送和演变过程.黑碳气溶胶浓度的模拟值与地面观测站和观测船获取的监测值相比,模拟值与监测值具有良好的一致性,这表明本研究收集整理的黑碳气溶胶的排放量及其分布是基本合理的,模式系统较好地反映了黑碳气溶浓度的时空分布和变化趋势,再现了许多观测到的重要特征.模拟结果表明,东亚地区春季间隙性的长距离输送对于西北太平洋海域的黑碳气溶胶浓度分布具有非常重要的影响.     

Long-term changes (1980–2003) in total ozone time series over Northern Hemisphere midlatitudes

Long-term changes in total ozone time series for Arosa, Belsk, Boulder and Sapporo stations are examined. For each station we analyze time series of the following statistical characteristics of the distribution of daily ozone data: seasonal mean, standard deviation, maximum and minimum of total daily ozone values for all seasons. The iterative statistical model is proposed to estimate trends and long-term changes in the statistical distribution of the daily total ozone data. The trends are calculated for the period 1980–2003. We observe lessening of negative trends in the seasonal means as compared to those calculated by WMO for 1980–2000. We discuss a possibility of a change of the distribution shape of ozone daily data using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and comparing trend values in the seasonal mean, standard deviation, maximum and minimum time series for the selected stations and seasons. The distribution shift toward lower values without a change in the distribution shape is suggested with the following exceptions: the spreading of the distribution toward lower values for Belsk during winter and no decisive result for Sapporo and Boulder in summer.     

Remote sensing of the global distribution of total ozone and the inferred upper-tropospheric circulation from Nimbus IRIS experiments

The global distribution of total ozone is derived for the period April, May, June and July of 1969 from Nimbus-3 Infrared Interferometer Spectrometer (IRIS) experiment. Preliminary estimates of ozone amounts from Nimbus-4 IRIS for the same period of 1970 show similar results. The standard error of estimation of total ozone from both IRIS experiments is 6% with respect to Dobson Spectrophotometer measurements. A systematic variation in the ozone distribution from April to July in the tropical, middle and polar latitudes is observed indicating the changes in the lower stratospheric circulation.The total ozone measurements show a strong correlation with the upper tropospheric geopotential height in the extratropical latitudes. From this relationship total ozone is used as a quasi-stream function to deduce geostrophic winds at the 200 mb level over extratropical regions of the northern and southern hemispheres. These winds reveal the subtropical and polar jet streams over the globe.Allied research associates.     

Variations in the stratospheric ozone field inferred from Nimbus satellite observations

The ultraviolet Earth radiance data from the backscatter ultraviolet experiment on Nimbus 4 have been inverted to infer ozone profiles using a single Rayleigh scattering model. Two methods of solution give essentially the same results. Comparison of these profiles with simultaneous rocket sounding data shows satisfactory agreement at low and middle latitudes.Vertical cross-sections of ozone mixing ratio along the orbital tracks indicate that while the gross characteristics of the ozone field above 10 mb are under photochemical control, the influence of atmospheric motions can be found up to the 4 mb level.     

Performance of the electrochemical ozone sonde OSR

Summary The accuracy of the electrochemical ozone sonde, type OSR, has been estimated by analysing tandem ozone soundings of the balloon-borne electrochemical ozone sonde OSR at the Lindenberg Observatory from May to November 1982. A negative bias, though not significant, has been observed above about 28 km for soundings having high single correction factors. Random errors are at their minimum just above the level of the maximum of ozone partial pressure, and reach their maximum in the troposphere. Except at heights above about 28 km the random error of ozone sondes is a factor 2 to 3 times less than the error of the short Umkehr method. Provided that soundings with too high correction factors are neglected, the ozone sonde OSR has an accuracy comparable to that of other Brewer type sondes.The maximum amount of information on the vertical ozone distribution can be drawn from sonde measurements in the lower stratosphere. A study is underway to improve the sensitivity of the sonde OSR and thus to further enhance its reliability.     

青藏高原对流层臭氧含量变化的太阳周期活动信号分析

利用1979~1992年卫星TOR对流层臭氧数据库资料,以及同期太阳辐照度数据序列,考察青藏高原对流层臭氧含量变化与太阳辐射周期变化之间的关系.分析表明,青藏高原对流层臭氧分布表现出与太阳辐照度相同的变化趋势,存在着明显的太阳周期变化特征.逐月线性回归分析表明,太阳辐照度增加导致青藏高原对流层臭氧增加的正效应.在太阳周期内,太阳辐射增加可使青藏高原对流层臭氧、平流层臭氧和臭氧总量分别增加1.31、4.97、6.628DU,或4.07%、2.04%、2.28%.该特征与赤道太平洋地区完全相反,分析产生差异的原因,至少应包括两方面因素：一是背景大气NO_X和水汽含量的差异;二是青藏高原频繁发生的平流层-对流层大气物质交换和输送.     

A numerical study of the circulation and monthly-to-seasonal variability in the Caribbean Sea: the role of Caribbean eddies

This study examines the circulation and associated monthly-to-seasonal variability in the Caribbean Sea using a regional ocean circulation model. The model domain covers the region between 99.0 and 54.0°W and between 8.0 and 30.3°N, with a horizontal resolution of 1/6°. The ocean circulation model is driven by 6-hourly atmospheric reanalysis data from the National Center for Environmental Prediction and boundary forcing extracted from 5-day global ocean reanalysis data produced by Smith et al. (Mercator Newsletter 36:39–49, 2010), and integrated for 7 years. A comparison of model results with observations demonstrates that the regional ocean circulation model has skill in simulating circulation and associated variability in the study region. Analysis of the model results, as well as a companion model run that uses steady annual mean forcing, illustrates the role of Caribbean eddies for driving monthly-to-seasonal circulation variability in the model. It is found that vertically integrated transport between Nicaragua and Jamaica is influenced by the interaction between the density perturbations associated with Caribbean eddies and the Nicaraguan Ridge. The impact of Caribbean eddies squeezing through the Yucatan Channel is also discussed.     

Temperature and ozone variations in the stratosphere

Examined are temperature and ozone variations in the Northern Hemisphere stratosphere during the period 1958–77, as estimated from radiosondes rocketsondes, ozonesondes, and Umkehr measurements. The temperature variation in the low tropical stratosphere is a combination of the variation associated with the quasi-biennial oscillation, and a variation nearly out of phase with the pronounced 3-yearly temperature oscillation (Southern Oscillation) present in the tropical troposphere since 1963. Based on radiosonde and rocketsonde data, the quasibiennial temperature oscillation can be traced as high as the stratopause, the phase varying with both height and latitude. However, the rocketsonde-derived temperature decrease of several degrees Celsius in the 25–55 km layer of the Western Hemisphere between 1969 (sunspot maximum) and 1976 (sunspot minimum) is not apparent in high-level radiosonde data, so that caution is advised with respect to a possible solar-terrestrial relation.There has been a strong quasi-biennial oscillation in ozone in the 8–16 km layer of the north polar region, with ozone minimum near the time of quasi-biennial west wind maximum at a height of 20 km in the tropics. A quasi-biennial oscillation in ozone (of similar phase) is also apparent from both ozonesonde data and Umkehr measurements in 8–16 and 16–24 km layers of north temperate latitudes, but not higher up. Both measurement techniques also suggest a slight overall ozone decrease in the same layers between 1969 and 1976, but no overall ozone change in the 24–32 km layer. Umkehr measurements indicate a significant 6–8% increase in ozone amount in all stratospheric layers between 1964 and 1970, and in 1977 the ozone amount in the 32–46 km layer was still 4% above average despite the predicted depletion due to fluorocarbon emissions. The decrease in ozone in the 32–46 km, layer of mid latitudes following the volcanic eruptions of Agung and Fuego is believed to be mostly fictitious and due to the bias introduced into the Umkehr technique by stratospheric aerosols of volcanic origin. Above-average water vapor amounts in the low stratosphere at Washington, DC, appear closely related to warm tropospheric temperatures in the tropics, presumably reflecting variations in strength of the Hadley circulation.     

Tidal residual eddies and their effect on water exchange in Puget Sound

Tidal residual eddies are one of the important hydrodynamic features in tidally dominant estuaries and coastal bays, and they could have significant effects on water exchange in a tidal system. This paper presents a modeling study of tides and tidal residual eddies in Puget Sound, a tidally dominant fjord-like estuary in the Pacific Northwest coast, using a three-dimensional finite-volume coastal ocean model. Mechanisms of vorticity generation and asymmetric distribution patterns around an island/headland were analyzed using the dynamic vorticity transfer approach and numerical experiments. Model results of Puget Sound show that a number of large twin tidal residual eddies exist in the Admiralty Inlet because of the presence of major headlands in the inlet. Simulated residual vorticities near the major headlands indicate that the clockwise tidal residual eddy (negative vorticity) is generally stronger than the anticlockwise eddy (positive vorticity) because of the effect of Coriolis force. The effect of tidal residual eddies on water exchange in Puget Sound and its subbasins was evaluated by simulations of dye transport. It was found that the strong transverse variability of residual currents in the Admiralty Inlet results in a dominant seaward transport along the eastern shore and a dominant landward transport along the western shore of the inlet. A similar transport pattern in Hood Canal is caused by the presence of tidal residual eddies near the entrance of the canal. Model results show that tidal residual currents in Whidbey Basin are small in comparison to other subbasins. A large clockwise residual circulation is formed around Vashon Island near entrance of South Sound, which can potentially constrain the water exchange between the Central Basin and South Sound.     

On the assimilation of total-ozone satellite data

A two-dimensional model for advection and data assimilation of total-ozone data has been developed. The Assimilation Model KNMI (AMK) is a global model describing the transport of the column amounts of ozone, by a wind field at a single pressure level, assuming that total ozone behaves as a passive tracer. In this study, ozone column amounts measured by the TIROS Operational Vertical Sounder (TOVS) instrument on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) polar satellites and wind fields from the Meteorological Archive and Retrieval System (MARS) archives at ECMWF have been used. By means of the AMK, the incomplete space-time distribution of the TOVS measurements is filled in and global total-ozone maps at any given time can be obtained. The choice of wind field to be used for transporting column amounts of ozone is extensively discussed. It is shown that the 200-hPa wind field is the optimal single-pressure-level wind field for advecting total ozone. Assimilated ozone fields are the basic information for research on atmospheric chemistry and dynamics, but are also important for the validation of ozone measurements.     

大气臭氧层的垂直分布及其变化的研究

为了进一步认识低纬度地区大气臭氧垂直分布及其变化的规律,本文采用逆转方法〈C〉计算了昆明地区冬春季大气臭氧的垂直分布.结果表明:臭氧垂直分布出现两种类型,一种是只在平流层中有一主极大值层;另一种是除主极大值层外,同时在对流层中还存在次极大值层.主极大值层的臭氧浓度变化相对较稳定,次极大值层主要受大气环流影响很不稳定,且随季节变化与位势高度、垂直速度等要素的关系存在着明显差异.此外,我们还分析了春季臭氧垂直分布的日际变化.