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.     

Ground-based measurements of total ozone content by the infrared method

To interpret the ground-based measurements of the spectra of direct solar infrared radiation with the help of a Brucker Fourier-spectrometer, a technique for determining the total ozone content (TOC) was developed and implemented. The TOC was determined using six spectral intervals of an ozone-absorption band of 9.6 μm and the shortwave panel of a carbon-dioxide-absorption band of 15 μm, where the impact of other atmospheric parameters on the measured solar radiation was reduced to a minimum. The potential errors of the infrared method for determining the TOC for the chosen spectral scheme with the influence of measurement errors and vertical profiles of temperature are less than 1% for different signal-to-noise ratios and zenith angles of the sun. We analyzed 269 high-resolution (0.005–0.008 cm^?1) spectra of solar infrared radiation measured in Peterhof over 52 days from March to November, 2009. The resulting values of TOC were compared with the results of independent ground-based TOC measurements in Voeikovo (Main Geophysical Observatory) using a Dobson spectrophotometer and an M-124 ozonometer, as well as with the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) satellite data. The mean errors between the results of TOC measurements with the help of the three ground-based probes constitute no more than 0.4%. The rms errors between data obtained by the Brucker spectrometer and the given satellite and ground-based probes constitute 3–4%. A comparison between different series of measurements indicated that the upper estimate for the error of TOC measurements by the Brucker spectrometer was 2.5–3% (when the possible spatial and temporal errors in measurements are disregarded). An analysis of the diurnal variations in the TOC measurements for stable atmospheric conditions yields an upper estimate of ～3 DU (around 1%) for the random component of error in TOC measurements by the Brucker spectrometer.     

Spectral characteristics of quasi-biennial oscillations of the equatorial stratospheric wind and the problem of synchronization

Spectral characteristics of the quasi-biennial oscillations (QBO) of the zonal velocity in the equatorial stratosphere are investigated in this work on the basis of data from the NCEP/NCAR and ERA40 reanalyses and numerical experiments with the atmospheric general circulation (GCM) model developed at the Institute of Numerical Mathematics, Russian Academy of Sciences (INM RAS). The problem of synchronizing QBO and semiannual oscillations (SAO) of the zonal velocity in the mesosphere is considered. It is shown that the process of synchronization to multiples of SAO periods is identifiable in the transition region between QBO and SAO. For all heights where QBO exist, their synchronization with SAO is expressed in the calculation of the period in terms of differences between the westerly maxima. The INM RAS GCM model is shown to satisfactorily reproduce the main spectral characteristics of QBO and SAO, as well as specific features of the variability of the QBO period obtained from reanalysis data. The possibility of synchronization with SAO or the annual cycle in the upper layers is shown on the basis of an investigation of QBO models with a small number of parameters, both for the absorption mechanism of planetary waves by the mean flow and for the breaking of short gravity waves. The QBO formation from different wave types, together with SAO and the annual cycle, can be considered a unified system of oscillations in the circulation of the equatorial upper atmosphere.     

Analysis of the quasi-biennial variability of carbon monoxide total column

On the basis of satellite observations of column carbon monoxide (CO) and total ozone (TO), an analysis has been performed of the connection of the interannual variability of CO with the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) of the equatorial stratospheric wind and the QBO of total ozone. It is found that the CO total colomn over most of the globe in the westerly phase of the QBO is greater than that in the easterly phase. The global distribution of the CO QBO amplitudes exhibits a local maximum over Indonesia, where the peak-to-peak amplitude of the CO QBO signal averages 15% of the local annual mean CO in this region. Analysis shows that the QBOs of CO are well synchronized with the QBO of wind at 50 hPa. At the same time, a joint analysis of the characteristics of the CO QBO and TO QBO demonstrates no direct photochemical coupling between of the quasi-biennial variations of TO and CO.     

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.     

Water-vapor content in the atmosphere over European Russia during the summer 2010 fires

We study the water vapor (WV) content over European Russia (ER) during the period of forest and peatbog fires in July–August 2010 using total column water vapor observations from MODIS instruments (both Aqua and Terra platforms) as well as aerological data and NCEP/NCAR reanalysis. It is found that the spatial distribution of total column water vapor (TCWV) over ER in this period was anomalous, with the WV excess in the north of the territory and its deficit in the south of ER. The relationship between WV variations, atmospheric dynamics and the fire situation is analyzed. Along with the processes of the WV advection and evaporation we evaluate the contribution of pyrogenic emission of WV in spatial-temporal evolution of WV over ER during wildfires. The changes of water vapor at different heights in the troposphere and stratosphere are investigated. The results of a comparative analysis of WV contents during the periods of summertime atmospheric blockings in 1972 and 2010 are also presented. The near-infrared total-column precipitable water MODIS products (L3) are validated by upper-air radiosonde data.     

Simulation of the quasi-biennial oscillations of the zonal wind in the equatorial stratosphere: Part I. Low-parameter models

The paper focuses on the simulation of the quasi-biennial oscillations (QBOs) of zonal velocity in the equatorial stratosphere. Low-parameter models are used to examine two mechanisms for excitation of the QBO: one through the interaction of planetary waves with the mean flow at critical levels and another through gravity-wave obliteration. The possible use of each of these mechanisms for generating the QBO is shown, the ranges of parameter values where this generation is possible are determined, and the dependences of the period and amplitude of the limit cycle on the model parameters are analyzed. A relative role of waves of different scales in the formation of the period of the oscillations of zonal wind is studied with a coupled model combining both mechanisms. The conditions that are required to reproduce the QBO in general circulation models are discussed.     

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.     

Simulation of the quasi-biennial oscillations of the zonal wind in the equatorial stratosphere: Part II. Atmospheric general circulation models

The problem of simulating quasi-biennial oscillations (QBOs) of zonal velocity in the equatorial stratosphere in atmospheric general circulation models is considered. In accordance with the results from Part I of this study on the basis of the models developed at the Institute of Numerical Mathematics of the Russian Academy of Sciences (INM RAS), the possibility of implementing (in these models) mechanisms of QBO excitation through both the interaction of planetary waves with the mean flow and breaking of short gravity waves is investigated. A new high-resolution 2° × 2.5° × 80 version of the INM RAS model is designed, a climate simulation with the two 2° × 2.5° × 39 and 2° × 2.5° × 80 versions of the INM RAS model is briefly described, results of spectral analysis of equatorial wave activity are presented, and the QBO formation processes in these models are considered in detail. For the new 2° × 2.5° × 80 model, realistic QBOs of zonal wind are obtained as the result of the action of both mechanisms.     

Variations of the total content of carbon monoxide over Moscow megapolis

The results of the carbon monoxide total content measurements over Moscow and Zvenigorod for 2005–2008 are compared with the same data sets for Moscow 1986–2005 and Beijing, 1992–2007. Two identical medium resolution diffraction spectrometers (resolution 0.2 cm^?1) with solar tracking system were used. The CO total content measured simultaneously over the city and over Zvenigorod Scientific Station (ZSS) of the Obukhov Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences (60 km west from Moscow). This method allows to isolate an urban part of CO content. The acoustic locator SODAR LATAN-3 measurements permitted us to study the influence of the carbon monoxide ventilation conditions upon level of pollution. Correlation coefficients between the urban part of CO content and average wind speed for cold and warm seasons were obtained. The data sets analysis showed a preeminent effect of the wind within boundary layer (up to 300 m) over the CO ventilation. The urban part of the CO content hasn’t increased in spite of more than quintuple increase of the motor-vehicles number in Moscow. An increase of the rural CO total column for the 1970–1985 has transformed into its virtually stable amount in between of 1986 to 2000, changed then to a decrease for 2001–2008. We noted the 2008 as “the year of the CO total column minimum” over the past decade. The effect of urban CO sources influence on the CO total column in rural area is small, i.e. on a level of 3% of the total number of measurements. The number of extremal daily values for Moscow is estimated as 5%, and 20% for Beijing.     

Monitoring the total atmospheric ozone content using data collected by the Elektro-L Russian geostationary meteorological satellite

The possibility of remotely monitoring the total atmospheric ozone content (TAOC) using data from the multichannel geostationary scanning instrument (MGSI) aboard the Elektro-L no. 1 Russian meteorological satellite is explored. In addition to the MGSI measurements in three channels (8.2–9.2, 9.2–10.2, and 10.2–11.2 μm), data on the vertical temperature distributions in the ozone layer and the temperature and pressure at the underlying terrain level (satellite sensing results or forecast data) are used as additional predictors in the process of TAOC estimation. The TAOC estimates are constructed with the use of a regularized regression algorithm (ridge regression). The learning and check samples are formed using independent TAOC estimates based on the data gathered by the OMI instrument aboard the EOS Aura satellite. Numerical experiments in processing the actual MGSI data gathered over certain periods within the interval from November 2011 to August 2012 reveal the possibility of arranging regular monitoring of the TAOC fields with high spatial and temporal resolutions and an acceptable precision: the absolute value of relative mean deviations and the relative root-mean-square deviations of the estimates based on the MGSI data from the estimates based on the OMI data lie within intervals of 1–2% and 5–7%, respectively, depending on the underlying terrain type.     

Time variability of the total methane content in the atmosphere over the vicinity of St. Petersburg

The results of measuring the methane content in the entire atmospheric thickness over the St. Petersburg region are given for 1991–2007. It is shown that, within this period, the mean annual cycle of the total methane content is characterized by its maximum values in December–January and its minimum values in June–August when the annual-cycle amplitude amounts to ∼3.6%. In this case, the annual variations in the total methane content may differ significantly from the mean annual cycle obtained in some years. A statistically significant linear trend of the total CH₄ content has not been revealed for 1991–2007. The obtained values of the linear-trend index have opposite signs in the winter and summer months (positive for January 0.6 ± 0.2%/year and February 0.4 ± 0.2%/year and negative for July 0.3 ± 0.2%/year and August 0.2 ± 0.1%/year). This fact suggests the tendency for an increase in the amplitude of the annual cycle of the total CH₄ content. The results of a spectral analysis of a series of data on the total CH₄ content show that, for 1991–2007, the following harmonics are pronounced with a confidence of 95%: 12 months (annual harmonic), 32 months (quasi-biennial oscillations), and 55 months (4.5 years), which are also pronounced in the series of meteorological parameters and total ozone content.     

Aerosol optical thickness and the total carbon monoxide content over the European Russia territory in the 2010 summer period of mass fires: Interrelation between the variation in pollutants and meteorological parameters

The spatial and temporal variabilities of the aerosol optical thickness (AOT) and the total carbon monoxide content (CO) in the period of development and weakening of mass forest and peatbog fires in the European Russia territory (ERT) in the summer of 2010 are investigated from data of the AOT and CO satellite observations. The intensities of aerosol and CO emissions in the period of mass fires and the ratio of the emission factors of aerosol particles and CO are estimated on the basis of calculations of the smoke and CO masses over the ERT. The interrelation between variations in the levels of the regional pollution by combustion products and the variability of meteorological parameters is investigated. Various aspects of the manifestation of radiation effects of aerosols are discussed. The synchronization of weekly signals of the AOT, CO, and meteorological parameters in the period of mass fires is noted.     

On the influence of the 11-year cycle of solar activity on quasi-biennial variations in ozone and temperature in the Canadian sector of the arctic

An analysis of the high-latitude ozone balloon sounding data derived from Canadian stations shows that, in the maximum of the 11-year cycle of solar activity (SA), the ozone content in the lower stratosphere is higher than in the SA minimum and, in the SA maximum, the lower stratosphere is warmer and the troposphere is colder than in the SA minimum. The ozone and temperature responses to the equatorial quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) in the opposite phases of the 11-year cycle of SA show substantial differences: in the SA maximum, the QBO effects in the ozone and temperature cover a wider range of heights, the maxima of the effects manifest themselves at 5–10 km higher, and their amplitudes exceed the amplitudes of the effects in the SA minimum. The results indicate that the QBO is one of the “conductors” of the influence of the 11-year SA cycle in the Canadian sector of the Arctic.     

Determining the total ozone from geostationary earth satellites

A method for determining the total ozone (TO) with high spatial (3×3 km²) and temporal (15 min) resolutions by using measurements of the Earth’s outgoing thermal radiation from Meteosat geostationary satellites is proposed. The method is based on measurements with a SEVIRI instrument (eight IR channels) and involves additional information on the three-dimensional field of the atmospheric temperature and on the surface temperature obtained from polar satellites (AIRS instrument). The inverse problem of TO determination is solved by the method of neural networks. TO measurements with the AIRS instrument are also used for training the neural networks. Ground-based TO measurements at the international ozonometric network are used for controlling the quality of AIRS data and detecting the errors of the proposed method of TO determination from SEVIRI data. The mean and rms differences between TO values obtained with the use of the proposed method and from the results of measurements at the international ozonometric network are shown to be 1.5 and 6.5%, respectively. Examples of TO distributions reconstructed with high spatial and temporal resolutions are presented. These examples show that the elaborated method for solving various scientific and applied problems and, in particular, for investigating stratospheric dynamics is promising.     

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).     

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.     

赤道太平洋海域上层海洋热含量及其变化机制的诊断分析

基于1992—2015年国际共享的ECCO v4 (Estimating the Circulation and Climate of the Ocean Version 4)同化产品,利用热含量控制方程定量地诊断赤道太平洋(118°E—75°W, 5°S—5°N, 0～300m)和Ni?o 3.4区(170°W—120°W, 5°S—5°N,0～80m)这两块区域热含量变化机制。对于去掉季节平均后的年际变化,在赤道太平洋地区,时间趋势项主要由经向输送和海表热通量项共同驱动。通过5°N断面的输送决定了时间趋势项的幅值和正负符号。在Ni?o3.4区,时间趋势项主要由海表热通量项和热量输送项共同驱动,其中垂向输送对总输送贡献最大。赤道太平洋地区经向热量输送异常领先于Ni?o3.4区垂向热量输送异常,这解释了在年际尺度上赤道太平洋热含量异常领先Ni?o3.4指数变化的原因。尽管EP(Eastern Pattern)型El Ni?o和CP(Central Pattern)型El Ni?o有许多不同之处,合成分析表明,两类El Ni?o的共同点为:在赤道太平洋地区,两类El Ni?o事件的热量输送异常在发展期和衰退期由经向输送主导;在Ni?o 3.4区, EP型El Ni?o和CP型El Ni?o的热量输送在发展期和衰退期由垂向输送主导。     

赤道太平洋海域上层海洋热含量及其变化机制的诊断分析*

基于1992—2015年国际共享的ECCO v4 (Estimating the Circulation and Climate of the Ocean Version 4)同化产品, 利用热含量控制方程定量地诊断赤道太平洋(118°E—75°W, 5°S—5°N, 0~300m)和Niño 3.4区(170°W—120°W, 5°S—5°N, 0~80m)这两块区域热含量变化机制。对于去掉季节平均后的年际变化, 在赤道太平洋地区, 时间趋势项主要由经向输送和海表热通量项共同驱动。通过5°N断面的输送决定了时间趋势项的幅值和正负符号。在Niño 3.4区, 时间趋势项主要由海表热通量项和热量输送项共同驱动, 其中垂向输送对总输送贡献最大。赤道太平洋地区经向热量输送异常领先于Niño 3.4区垂向热量输送异常, 这解释了在年际尺度上赤道太平洋热含量异常领先Niño 3.4指数变化的原因。尽管EP(Eastern Pattern)型El Niño和CP(Central Pattern)型El Niño有许多不同之处, 合成分析表明, 两类El Niño的共同点为: 在赤道太平洋地区, 两类El Niño事件的热量输送异常在发展期和衰退期由经向输送主导; 在Niño 3.4区, EP型El Niño和CP型El Niño的热量输送在发展期和衰退期由垂向输送主导。