Variations in the surface ozone concentration in the atmosphere over Ulan-Ude

The results of regular measurements of the surface ozone concentration (SOC) in Ulan-Ude over an observation period of six years (1999–2004) are given. The maximum of daily variations in SOC is observed at local noon. The radiation regime is found to have a significant influence only on the minimum values in the SOC seasonal cycle. It is also found that the principal maxima of total ozone content (TOC) and SOC in the seasonal cycle are, on average, shifted by three months (the TOC maximum is reached at the end of March, and the SOC maximum is reached in June).     

Dynamic processes in the near-ground atmosphere during the solar eclipse of August 1, 2008

The optical observations and dynamics analysis of the effects in the near-ground atmosphere accompanying a partial (about 0.42 magnitude) solar eclipse (SE) near Kharkov, Ukraine, on August 1, 2008, are described in comparison with the effects of the partial eclipses on August 11, 1999, and October 3, 2005. All three SEs occurred around midday. The SE of August 1 was accompanied by a 2.0° decrease in the near-ground atmospheric temperature. It is found that, when the obscuration function was maximum (0.31), the standard deviation in the solar-limb displacement decreased by 0.30″. The measured fluctuations of the jitter level of the solar limb edge were used to estimate the parameters of the near-ground atmosphere and turbulence.     

Determination of the total ozone content from data of satellite IR Fourier-spectrometer

Examples of retrieval of the total ozone content (TOC) from the spectra of outgoing thermal radiation measured by the IRFS-2 device on the Meteor-M no. 2 meteorological satellite are presented. The technique, developed by the authors and based on an artificial neural network (ANN) approach with the use of TOC measurements by the satellite OMI device, is applied. A comparison of the results with the data of independent TOC measurements has shown their agreement within 2–5% for global ensemble and within 3–6% for separate latitudes and seasons. The errors estimated for IRFS-2 TOC measurements are close to the errors in measurements by a similar IASI device from the MetOp (EUMETSAT) satellite.     

Variations in the temperature and circulation of the atmosphere during the 11-year cycle of solar activity derived from the ERA-Interim reanalysis data

Using the data of the ERA-Interim reanalysis, we have obtained estimates of changes in temperature, the geopotential and its large-scale zonal harmonics, wind velocity, and potential vorticity in the troposphere and stratosphere of the Northern and Southern hemispheres during the 11-year solar cycle. The estimates have been obtained using the method of multiple linear regression. Specific features of response of the indicated atmospheric parameters to the solar cycle have been revealed in particular regions of the atmosphere for a whole year and depending on the season. The results of the analysis indicate the existence of a reliable statistical relationship of large-scale dynamic and thermodynamic processes in the troposphere and stratosphere with the 11-year solar cycle.     

The Effect of the Solar Eclipse of March 29, 2006 on Atmospheric Pressure Fluctuations and Surface Temperature Profiles

Izvestiya, Atmospheric and Oceanic Physics - The data of measurements of atmospheric pressure fluctuations together with measurements of air temperature profiles in the surface layer of the...     

Evaluation of chemical ozone loss in the stratosphere over the Kola Peninsula in the 2002/2003 winter from microwave sounding data

From long-term observations of ozone evolution in the stratosphere of the Kola Peninsula in the 2002/2003 winter, the rates of chemical destruction of ozone and its net loss at isentropic levels of 530 K (an altitude of about 22 km) and 465 K (an altitude of about 19 km) ar evaluated with consideration for diabatic descent of air masses. These rates were ?18.6±3.3 and ?14.3±2.9 ppb/day and the net loss of ozone due to its chemical destruction over the period from December 1, 2002, to March 5, 2003, reached 1.77±0.33 ppm and 1.36±0.29 ppm, respectively. At the lower level, these data are in satisfactory agreement (to within measurement errors) with other measurements that were taken at that time. At a potential-temperature level of 530 K, the ozone loss in the 2002/2003 season evaluated from our data and from similar microwave measurements performed in Kiruna (Sweden) virtually coincides and testifies to the fact that the net loss increases with altitude. These inferences are inconsistent with the results obtained with the Match technique and the method of averaging over a vortex, which indicate that the ozone loss decreases with altitude. However, since polar stratospheric clouds were detected regularly in December and early January at levels up to 600 K or higher, it may be suggested that the ozone loss at these altitudes can be comparable to the values found for isentropic levels of 465 to 475 K.     

Effect of the 11-year cycle of solar activity on characteristics of the total ozone annual variation

The goal of the paper is an analysis of changes in the amplitude and phase characteristics of the annual variation (AC) of total ozone (TO) from ground-based and satellite (TOMS) measurements and their interpretation with a two-dimensional photochemical model. According to ground-based TO measurements, two characteristic types of quasi-decadal variations in the phase of the annual harmonic (AH) of total ozone have been noted: variations in phase and antiphase with solar activity (SA). Changes in the TO AH phase opposite to solar activity variation are noted the high latitudes of the North Atlantic region and in the tropical belt, and in-phase changes are observed in the middle and subtropical latitudes of both hemispheres. Variations in the TO AH amplitude (hence, in the TO AV amplitude) and in the annual mean TO usually coincide in phase with the SA cycle. Analysis of satellite data shows that the 0-phase of the AV and the phase of the AH of the zonal mean TO at middle latitudes vary synchronously with the 11-year solar cycle. Model simulations have shown that the stratospheric ozone influx to the middle latitudes increases in the fall and winter period during a period of maximum solar activity. This dynamic mechanism accounts for up to 30% of the winter ozone increase in the ozone maximum layer in the Southern Hemisphere midlatitudes during the solar maximum as compared with the solar minimum. In the northern midlatitudes, the dynamic mechanism makes the main contribution to ozone changes during the latter half of winter under SA variations. The stratospheric ozone inflow change induced by SA variations affects the annual variation of ozone.     

Measurements of the total ozone content in the central Arctic Basin

In 2003, measurements of the total ozone content (TOC) in the central Arctic Basin were resumed after a long-term break at the NP-32 and NP-33 drifting research stations. This paper presents the first results of analyses of the observational data obtained at the NP-32 and NP-33 stations and aboard the R/V Akademik Fedorov. An approach allowing comparison fo the mean ozone-content values measured in different time periods from moving platforms, such as drifting stations and research vessels, is used. The TOC variability over the central Arctic Basin in 2003–2005 is described, and results of comparison of these data with the data of both long-term TOC measurements at a number of stationary Arctic stations in 1973–2002 and measurements at the NP-22 station in 1976–1977 are presented.     

Estimation of chlorophyll-a concentration in the Zhujiang Estuary from SeaWiFS data

The chlorophyll-a concentration is generally overestimated for the southern China coastalwaters if the default algorithm of the SeaDAS is employed. An algorithm is developed for retrieval of chlorophyll-a concentration in the Zhujiang Estuary, Guangdong Province, China, by using simulated reflectance data. The simulated reflectance is calculated corresponding to the SeaWiFS wavelength bands, via a general model by inputting measured water components, i.e. , the suspended sediment, chlorophyll-a, and yellow substance (DOC) concentration data of 130 samples. Empirical relationships of the chlorophyll-a concentration to 240 different band combinations are investigated based on the simulated reflectance data, and the band combination, R_5R_6/R_3R_4, is found to be the optimum one for the development of an algorithm valid for the Zhujiang Estuary. This algorithm is then employed to determine the chlorophyll-a concentration from SeaWiFS data. The estimated concentrations have a better accuracy than those obtai     

密西西比河入海水体悬沙浓度变化过程研究

河流入海水体悬沙浓度的变化直接反映该流域人类活动和自然应力的影响。基于密西西比河塔伯特兰丁站长期水文资料,本文采用百分位法、Mann-Kendall法等统计方法对近40年密西西比河入海水体悬沙浓度进行分析,探究密西西比河通过“鸟足状”三角洲进入墨西哥湾的水体悬沙浓度变化过程及其可能影响因素。结果表明：（1）在1976−2015年期间,密西西比河入海水体悬沙浓度展现阶段性下降趋势,其中第一时期即1976−1987年期间,入海水体悬沙浓度相对较高,平均值为0.33 kg/m³;第二时期即1988−2015年期间,悬沙浓度较低且平均值为0.25 kg/m³。（2）密西西比河日径流量与悬沙浓度之间的关系符合高斯分布。与1976−1987年相比,1988−2015年期间水沙关系曲线较为扁平,日均超过0.60 kg/m³的高悬沙浓度事件明显减少。在低流量及起动流量阶段,悬沙浓度随着流量的增加而增加,在流量接近20 000 m³/s时,悬沙浓度达到最大值,流量高于20 000 m³/s后,悬沙浓度反而随着流量增加而减小。同时,密西西比河月均水沙关系在1976−1987年期间呈双绳套样,1988−2015年期间则呈现“先沙后水”的顺时针单一型绳套样。（3）分洪工程建设及土壤保持措施是影响密西西比河入海水体悬沙浓度的主要原因。其中,工程建设减少了河道沿程沉积物物源,土壤保持措施使土地侵蚀减少,从而使得悬沙浓度保持较低水平。此外,极端水文事件对密西西比河入海悬沙浓度的影响较小。     

Spectral-temporal structure of variations in the atmospheric total ozone in central Eurasia

The results of long-term (1980–2003) systematic measurements of the total ozone content at the Issyk Kul station (42.6° N, 77.0° E; 1650 m above sea level) are presented. The statistical characteristics and spectral structure of variations in the total ozone and the main tendencies of its temporal variability are determined. It is found that the total ozone content decreased in 1980–2003 at an average rate of (?1.29±0.08) DU/yr. The results of Fourier and wavelet analyses have shown that only oscillations with periods of 12, 27–29, and 102–105 months are rather stable and can be represented as harmonic oscillations. Oscillations with periods shorter than six months have the character of periodically arising pulsations. Among these, oscillations with periods of 27–29 and 34–37 days can be distinguished. It is noted that the spectral-temporal structure of variations in the total ozone content obtained from ground-based measurements at the Issyk Kul station is in good agreement with the corresponding structure obtained from TOMS satellite measurements.     

Effects of the equatorial quasi-biennial oscillation in the total ozone content over Russia

On the basis of ground-based measurements of total ozone content (TOC) over Russia and a number of neighboring states during 1973–2002, the amplitudes and phases of TOC variations caused by the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) of wind in the equatorial stratosphere are estimated for different regions and for the whole area. The seasonal dependence of the QBO effect in the TOC is analyzed. It is shown that the magnitude and even the sign of the effect depend on the relation between the equatorial QBO phase and the season. The regional empirical models of seasonally dependent QBO effects are constructed. It is found that the seasonal dependence of regional effects accounts for 4% (in the north of the area) to 20% (in the south) of the interannual variability of the TOC. The relation between the QBO effect and the 11-year cycle of solar activity is analyzed. Significant differences are revealed in the effects under the conditions of maximum and minimum solar activity. The QBO effects obtained from observations at Russian stations, satellite measurements with a TOMS instrument, and spectrometric observations of the TOC at western European stations are compared, and their satisfactory agreement is shown. An analysis of the results suggests that the QBO effects in the TOC over Russia are caused by several interacting factors and apparently reflect their regional properties.     

Interannual variations and trends in zonal mean series of total ozone, temperature, and zonal wind

The paper considers zonal mean (65° S–65° N, with a step of 5°) monthly mean NCEP/DOE reanalysis data on zonal wind and temperature at levels of 20 to 100 mb and the TOMS data of version 8 on total ozone (TO) for the period 1979–2005. The results of calculating linear-trend coefficients, correlation coefficients, and characteristic decay times and the data of spectral analysis are presented. In recent decades, the decrease in TO and the cooling of the lower stratosphere were accompanied by a weakening of the westerly wind. For deseasonalized series, the significance of their linear trends are evaluated with the use of the Monte Carlo method and it is shown that TO trends are significant at a level of 0.99 in extratropical latitudinal zones and that temperature trends are significant everywhere except in a narrow equatorial zone and in latitudes south of 50° S, whereas wind trends are significant only at a 50-mb level in the latitudinal belt 30°–50° in both hemispheres. According to the results of spectral analysis, for the majority of latitudinal zones, a triplet in the range of quasibiennial oscillations and oscillations with periods of about 4–6 and 9–13 years manifest themselves most persistently in the series of temperature, wind, and TO. Maximum correlation coefficients of the series of TO, wind, and temperature are observed over the equator, and, depending on altitude and latitude, TO variations may lag or lead temperature and wind variations in phase. Latitudinal distributions of characteristic decay times show an increase in this parameter in tropical and equatorial zones and its opposite behavior with altitude for temperature and wind fields.     

Observation of eddy structures in the Baltic Sea with the use of radiolocation and radiometric satellite data

The manifestations of mesoscale and submesoscale eddy elements in surface currents of the Baltic Sea in satellite images differing in physical nature and spatial resolution are considered. The investigation is based on the Envisat ASAR and ERS-2 SAR high-resolution radiolocation images (RLIs) obtained in 2008–2009 for different sites of the Baltic Sea water area and the use of the Envisat MERIS and Landsat ETM+ radiometric images of the visible spectrum. Possible mechanisms of the appearance of eddy structures in RLIs of the Baltic Sea water area are considered. Joint analysis of the mentioned data revealed specific features of the appearance of eddy structures in satellite images, taking into account the variability of optical characteristics of Baltic Sea surface waters during the summer blooming of cyanobacteria and the spring blooming of diatomic algae.     

Internal Gravity and Infrasound Waves during the Hurricane of May 29, 2017, in Moscow

Izvestiya, Atmospheric and Oceanic Physics - Data on internal gravity and infrasound waves recorded during the passage of both warm and cold fronts throughout Moscow, which are associated with the...     

Variations in the total column amounts of carbon monoxide and methane in the Antarctic atmosphere

The results of measuring the total contents of carbon monoxide and methane via the method of solar-absorption spectroscopy are presented. The measurements were performed at the Molodezhnaya Station in 1977–1978, at the Mirny Observatory from 1982 to 1992, and at the Novolazarevskaya Station from 2003 to 2006. The character of seasonal variations in the contents of these gases in the Antarctic atmosphere is described and compared to the intra-annual variation of their surface concentrations measured at the Syowa Station (Japan). Synchronous intra-annual variations in the contents of carbon monoxide in the atmospheric column and in its surface concentrations are observed, while the spring maximum content of methane is observed three months after the maximum of its surface concentration. Synchronous seasonal variations in the total content of methane and ozone are observed, which makes it possible to suggest that the Antarctic circumpolar vortex has a significant influence on the characteristics of the vertical distribution of methane during Antarctic spring. Quantitative estimates of the parameters of multiyear variations in the contents of CO and CH₄ are given. The content of methane was increasing (although with different rates) during the entire observation period 1977–2006. The content of CO was observed to increase until 1992 and to decrease during 2003–2006.     

Quasi-decadal variations in total ozone content,wind velocity,temperature, and geopotential height over the Arosa station (Switzerland)

We present the results of the analysis of the phase relationships between the quasi-decadal variations (QDVs) (in the range from 8 to 13 years) in the total ozone content (TOC) at the Arosa station for 1932–2012 and a number of meteorological parameters: monthly mean values of temperature, meridional and zonal components of wind velocity, and geopotential heights for isobaric surfaces in the layer of 10–925 hPa over the Arosa station using the Fourier methods and composite and cross-wavelet analysis. It has been shown that the phase relationships of the QDVs in the TOC and meteorological parameters with an 11-year cycle of solar activity change in time and height; starting with cycle 24 of solar activity (2008–2010), the variations in the TOC and a number of meteorological parameters occur in almost counter phase with the variations in solar activity. The periods of the maximum growth rate of the temperature at isobaric surfaces 50–100 hPa nearly correspond to the TOC’s maximum periods, and the periods of the maximum temperature correspond the periods of the decrease of the peak TOC rate. The highest correlation coefficients between the meridional wind velocity and temperature are observed at 50 hPa at positive and negative delays of ~27 months. The times of the maxima (minima) of the QDVs in the meridional wind velocity nearly correspond to the periods of the maximum amplification (attenuation) rate of the temperature of the QDVs. The QDVs in the geopotential heights of isobaric surfaces fall behind the variations in the TOC by an average of 1.5 years everywhere except in the lower troposphere. In general, the periods of variations in the TOC and meteorological parameters in the range of 8–13 years are smaller than the period of variations in the level of solar activity.