Changes in the chemical composition of the atmosphere in the polar regions of the Earth after solar proton flares (3d modeling)

The paper presents the results of numerical photochemical simulations of the impact of the most powerful solar proton flares during the 23rd solar cycle on the ozonosphere in the polar regions of the Earth. A global 3D photochemical model, CHARM, developed at Central Aerological Observatory (CAO) was used in the simulations. The model introduces an additional source of nitrogen atoms and OH radicals. These components are formed due to the ionization effect of solar protons in the Earth’s atmosphere. The ionization rate was determined from data on proton fluxes measured by GOES satellites. The production rate of additional NO _x and HО _x molecules per ion pair was based on published theoretical studies. It is shown that the most intense flares in the 23rd solar cycle (2000, 2001, and 2003) destroyed ozone in the mesosphere to a great extent (sometimes completely, for example, during the July 14, 2000, event). It is found that the response of ozone to solar proton events follows a seasonal pattern. For the first time, the long-term effect of solar proton events is identified; it is approximately one year.     

Regional response of the mesosphere–lower thermosphere dynamics over Scandinavia to solar proton events and geomagnetic storms in late October 2003

The short-term regional responses of the mesosphere–lower thermosphere (MLT) dynamics over Scandinavia to the exceptionally strong solar storms with their accompanying solar proton fluxes on the Earth in late October 2003 have been investigated using radar measurements at Andenes (69°N, 16°E) and Esrange (68°N, 21°E). Several solar activity storms resulted in solar proton events (SPEs) at this time, but a particularly active period of high proton fluxes occurred between 28 and 31 October 2003. The significant temperature drop (∼25 K), detected by the meteor radar at Andenes at altitude ∼90 km, was in line with the enhancement of the proton fluxes and was caused by the dramatic reduction of the ozone in the high-latitude middle atmosphere monitored by satellite measurements. This exceptionally strong phenomenon in late October 2003 was composed of three geomagnetic storms, with the first one occurring in the daytime of 29 October and the other two storms in the nighttime of 29 and 30 October, respectively. The responses of the prevailing wind and the main tides (24- and 12-h tides) were studied in detail. It was found that the response of the MLT dynamics to the first geomagnetic storm occurring in the daytime and accompanied by solar proton fluxes is very different from those to the second and third geomagnetic storms with onsets during the nighttime. Some physical mechanisms have been suggested in order to explain the observed short-term variability of the MLT dynamics. This case study revealed the impact of the SPEs observed in late October 2003 and the timing of the geomagnetic storms on the MLT neutral wind responses observed over Scandinavia.     

Analysis of variations in the nitrogen oxide content in the polar atmosphere of the northern hemisphere during the solar proton flare of July 14, 2000, based on the UARS satellite data

Nitrogen oxides, produced as a result of ionizing proton impacts, have long lifetimes and substantially affect the ozone balance. Photochemical models give an increased production level of nitrogen oxides during solar proton flares. The usage of an increased NO production effectiveness value (molecule number per each ion pair) during increased ionization of the atmosphere in models can be among the causes. This value has been estimated based on satellite observational data. Data on the solar proton fluxes and the composition of the atmosphere have been used. The period of the proton event of July 14, 2000, has been considered. The NO production effectiveness, obtained when the observational data were analyzed, was much smaller than the value obtained previously theoretically. The causes of these differences should be studied additionally.     

Monitoring of solar proton events at altitudes up to 1000 km: Data from the Russian space experiments. Solar proton effects in the Earth’s ozonosphere

The paper illustrates the opportunities provided by the use of data from Russian satellite experiments (CORONAS and Universitetsky-Tatiana of Meteor series) on the measurement of fluxes and spectra of solar cosmic rays at altitudes of 370–1000 km for simulation of the ozonosphere state. The results of photochemical simulation and observational data analysis showing the influence of solar protons on polar ozonosphere and lower ionosphere in periods of solar proton events (SPE) on November 4, 2001, October 28, 2003, and January 16, 2005 are presented. It is shown that the solar proton action causes ozone depletion in the mesosphere above the polar regions. The strongest depletion (up to 70%) was caused by the SPE that occurred on October 28, 2003.     

Solar proton events and evolution of cyclones in the North Atlantic

The influence of solar proton events (SPEs) with particle energies > 90 MeV on the evolution of extratropical cyclones in the North Atlantic is studied. A substantial intensification of the regeneration (secondary deepening) of cyclones near the southeastern Greenland coast after the SPE onset is detected. It is shown that the observed deepening of cyclones is caused by intensified advection of cold when the zone of the Arctic front in the region of the Greenland coast is approached. The results allow us to assume that SPEs with the above particle energies cause substantial changes in the structure of the thermobaric field of the subpolar and high-latitude troposphere, which form more favorable conditions for the regeneration of cyclones. In this case the role of the Arctic vertical frontal zone is apparently important. Temperature field changes can be caused by the radiation effects of variations in the upper cloudiness.     

Complex active regions as the main source of extreme and large solar proton events

A study of solar proton sources indicated that solar flare events responsible for ≥2000 pfu proton fluxes mostly occur in complex active regions (CARs), i.e., in transition structures between active regions and activity complexes. Different classes of similar structures and their relation to solar proton events (SPEs) and evolution, depending on the origination conditions, are considered. Arguments in favor of the fact that sunspot groups with extreme dimensions are CARs are presented. An analysis of the flare activity in a CAR resulted in the detection of “physical” boundaries, which separate magnetic structures of the same polarity and are responsible for the independent development of each structure.     

Low ozone event at Madrid in November 1996

A sudden transient increase of the solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation was detected with a ground-based photometer in Madrid (Spain, 41°N, 3°W) on 25 November 1996 (Cordoba et al., 2000. UV-B irradiance at Madrid during 1996, 1997 and 1998. J. Geophys. Res. 105 (D4) (2000) 4903–4906). The data obtained by the TOMS satellite instrument revealed that this event was related to a reduction of the total ozone column values. This low ozone episode has been analysed. The ozone decrease was accompanied by a reduction of air temperature in the lower stratosphere. The anti-correlation between total ozone and air parcel height along the three-dimensional isentropic back-trajectories suggests that the adiabatic uplift of air contributed significantly to both the ozone and the temperature decreases observed. The uplift could be caused by the propagation into the lower stratosphere of the high-pressure cell located over the mid-Atlantic region.     

Influence of the Precipitating Energetic Particles on Atmospheric Chemistry and Climate

We evaluate the influence of the galactic cosmic rays (GCR), solar proton events (SPE), and energetic electron precipitation (EEP) on chemical composition of the atmosphere, dynamics, and climate using the chemistry-climate model SOCOL. We have carried out two 46-year long runs. The reference run is driven by a widely employed forcing set and, for the experiment run, we have included additional sources of NO _x and HO _x caused by all considered energetic particles. The results show that the effects of the GCR, SPE, and EEP fluxes on the chemical composition are most pronounced in the polar mesosphere and upper stratosphere; however, they are also detectable and statistically significant in the lower atmosphere consisting of an ozone increase up to 3?% in the troposphere and ozone depletion up to 8?% in the middle stratosphere. The thermal effect of the ozone depletion in the stratosphere propagates down, leading to a warming by up to 1?K averaged over 46?years over Europe during the winter season. Our results suggest that the energetic particles are able to affect atmospheric chemical composition, dynamics, and climate.     

Changes of the first Schumann resonance frequency during relativistic solar proton precipitation in the 6 November 1997 event

The variations of the first mode of Schumann resonance are analyzed using data from Kola peninsula stations during the solar proton event of 6 November 1997. On this day the intensive flux of energetic protons on GOES-8 and the 10% increase of the count rate of the neutron monitor in Apatity between 1220 and 2000 UT were preceded by a solar X-ray burst at 1155 UT. This burst was accompanied by a simultaneous increase of the Schumann frequency by 3.5%, and the relativistic proton flux increase was accompanied by 1% frequency decrease. These effects are explained by changes of the height and dielectric permeability of the Earth-ionosphere cavity.     

Dynamics of solar protons in the Earth’s magnetosphere during magnetic storms in November 2004–January 2005

The processes of penetration, trapping, and acceleration of solar protons in the Earth’s magneto-sphere during magnetic storms in November 2004 and January 2005 are studied based on the energetic particle measurements on the CORONAS-F and SERVIS-1 satellites. Acceleration of protons by 1–2 orders of magnitude was observed after trapping of solar protons with an energy of 1–15 MeV during the recovery phase of the magnetic storm of November 7–8, 2004. This acceleration was accompanied by an earthward shift of the particle flux maximum for several days, during which the series of magnetic storms continued. The process of relativistic electron acceleration proceeded simultaneously and according to a similar scenario including acceleration of protons. At the end of this period, the intensification was terminated by the process of precipitation, and a new proton belt split with the formation of two maximums at L ～ 2 and 3. In the January 2005 series of moderate storms, solar protons were trapped at L = 3.7 during the storm of January 17–18. However, during the magnetic storm of January 21, these particles fell in the zone of quasi-trapping, or precipitated into the atmosphere, or died in the magnetosheath. At the same time, the belts that were formed in November at L ～ 2 and 3 remained unchanged. Transformations of the proton (and electron) belts during strong magnetic storms change the intensity and structure of belts for a long time. Thus, the consequences of changes during the July 2004 storm did not disappear until November disturbances.     

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.     

Effects of short-term solar uv variability on the stratosphere

Changes in solar ultraviolet flux produce changes in ozone concentration in the upper stratosphere with associated radiative and dynamical effects. At low latitudes, the response of ozone mixing ratio to solar UV variations on the time scale of the solar rotation period is well characterized observationally. In addition, there is some provisional evidence for an ozone response at intermediate periods of 60-80 days. Current two-dimensional stratospheric models simulate the observed 27-day response amplitudes and phase lags with reasonable accuracy in the upper stratosphere. The observed response of total ozone on the 27-day time scale is also in approximate agreement with the same models although observed ozone sensitivities and phase lags are slightly larger than expected theoretically. Future studies of the 27-day response at higher latitudes and altitudes are needed to test more completely our understanding of the direct effects of solar UV variability on the middle atmosphere.     

Effects of solar proton events in the mesosphere/lower thermosphere region according to the data of meteo radar wind measurements at high and middle latitudes

Data from meteo radar measurements of the wind in the mesosphere/lower thermosphere region at high latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere (Molodezhnaya station, 68° S, 45° E) and at middle latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere (Obninsk station, 55° N, 37° E) during solar proton events that took place in 1989, 1991, 2000, 2005, and 2012 are analyzed in the paper. In 1989 and 1991, we succeeded in observing the response to solar proton evens at both stations simultaneously. The results show that solar proton events lead to a change in the wind regime of the mesosphere and lower thermosphere. At high latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere, significant changes are observed in the values of the velocities of the meridional and zonal components of the prevailing wind. In the case of powerful solar proton events, the amplitude of the semidiurnal tide grows in the vicinity of the proton flux maximum. The response to these events depends on the season. The reaction of the prevailing wind at middle latitudes shows the same features as the reaction of the wind at high latitudes. However no unambiguous response of the tide amplitude is observed. In the summer season, even powerful events (for example, in July 2000) cause no changes in the wind regime parameters in the midlatitude region of the mesosphere/lower thermosphere.     

Simulation of the stratospheric ozone and temperature response to the solar irradiance variability during sun rotation cycle

Despite substantial progress in atmospheric modeling, the agreement of the simulated atmospheric response to decadal scale solar variability with the solar signal in different atmospheric quantities obtained from the statistical analysis of the observations cannot be qualified as successful. An alternative way to validate the simulated solar signal is to compare the sensitivity of the model to the solar irradiance variability on shorter time scales. To study atmospheric response to the 28-day solar rotation cycle, we used the chemistry–climate model SOCOL that represents the main physical–chemical processes in the atmosphere from the ground up to the mesopause. An ensemble simulation has been carried out, which is comprised of nine 1-year long runs, driven by the spectral solar irradiance prescribed on a daily basis using UARS SUSIM measurements for the year 1992. The correlation of zonal mean hydroxyl, ozone and temperature averaged over the tropics with solar irradiance time series have been analyzed. The hydroxyl has robust correlations with solar irradiance in the upper stratosphere and mesosphere, because the hydroxyl concentration is defined mostly by the photolysis. The simulated sensitivity of the hydroxyl to the solar irradiance changes is in good agreement with previous estimations. The ozone and temperature correlations are more complicated because their behavior depends on non-linear dynamics and transport in the atmosphere. The model simulates marginally significant ozone response to the solar irradiance variability during the Sun rotation cycle, but the simulated temperature response is not robust. The physical nature of this is not clear yet. It seems likely that the temperature (and partly the ozone) daily fields possess their own internal variability, which is not stable and can differ from year to year reflecting different dynamical states of the system.     

Cosmic ray-induced ionization in the atmosphere: spatial and temporal changes

Detailed calculations of the time-variable spatial distribution of cosmic ray-induced ionization of the lower atmosphere are presented using a physical model. Using the differential energy spectrum of cosmic rays obtained from the worldwide neutron monitor network since 1951 and taking into account also the slow changes in the geomagnetic dipole, we have calculated the corresponding 3D (geographical coordinates and altitude) equilibrium ion concentration in the lower atmosphere as a function of time for the period 1951–2000. A comparison to the results of measurements validates the calculation method, as the calculated cosmic ray-induced ionization reproduces in general the observed altitudinal and latitudinal profiles of the ion concentration. The results of the present work provide a basis for a quantitative study of the solar–terrestrial relationships on long time scales.     

电离层E层和F层中的日出效应

本文对德意志民主共和国Juliusruh/Rügen电离层站（54°38′N,13°23′E）,在1958年11月至1959年10月期間,日出前后一分钟測量一次的頻高图記录进行了分析。可以确认,E2层是一个純受太阳紫外輻射所控制的正常层次;該层每天开始电离时的太阳高度年变化是沒有規律的,而F层每天开始电离时的太阳高度却具有有規律的年变化。对这些統計分析結果进行理論研究,可以发現无論对F层而言,还是对E层而言,均不存在能够强烈吸收有关太阳紫外輻射的遮蔽层。决定F层每天开始电离时間的机制,是高层大气随季节不同而膨胀或收縮。在同样的太阳高度下,E1层和E2层的电子密度主要由运动項所决定,該項的大小和电离层飘移速度的东西分量有紧密的关系。此外,还估計了各个月份的E1层极大电子生成率,以及与E1层有关的太阳輻射的强度。对E2层的成因也作了一些估計。     

Stratospheric ozone response to a solar proton event: Hemispheric asymmetries

Ozone depression in the polar stratosphere during the energetic solar proton event on 4 August 1972 was observed by the backscattered ultraviolet (BUV) experiment on the Nimbus 4 satellite. Distinct asymmetries in the columnar ozone content, the amount of ozone depressions and their temporal variations above 4 mb level (38 km) were observed between the two hemispheres. The ozone destroying solar particles precipitate rather symmetrically into the two polar atmospheres due to the geomagnetic dipole field These asymmetries can be therefore ascribed to the differences mainly in dynamics and partly in the solar illumination and the vertical temperature structure between the summer and the winter polar atmospheres. The polar stratosphere is less disturbed and warmer in the summer hemisphere than the winter hemisphere since the propagation of planetary wave from the troposphere is inhibited by the wind system in the upper troposphere, and the air is heated by the prolonged solar insolation. Correspondingly, the temporal variations of stratospheric ozone depletion and its recovery appear to be smooth functions of time in the (northern) summer hemisphere and the undisturbed ozone amount is slighily, less than that of its counterpart. On the other hand, the tempotal variation of the upper stratospheric ozone in the winter polar atmosphere (southern hemisphere) indicates large amplitudes and irregularities due to the disturbances produced by upward propagating waves which prevail in the polar winter atmosphere. These characteristic differences between the two polar atmospheres are also evident in the vertical distributions of temperature and wind observed by balloons and rocker soundings.     

Modelling the impact of solar variability on climate

Computer simulations of the impact on climate of solar variability generally fall into four categories. First, there are lower atmosphere GCM experiments, in which enhanced solar activity is represented by changes in spectrally integrated solar constant. Secondly, there are GCM studies of the dynamical response of the middle atmosphere to changes in solar ultraviolet, mainly concentrating on the northern hemisphere winter, and how these impact the troposphere. These studies have been instructive in providing an understanding of some of the mechanisms involved but, because of the very different nature of the assumptions made, give rather different suggestions as to potential patterns of change. In particular predicted zonal mean temperature changes in the lower stratosphere are usually of opposite sign in these two types of experiment. None of these GCM studies include interactive photochemistry and the third category of modelling work is concerned with the photochemical response of the middle atmosphere to enhanced solar ultraviolet. These generally employ 2D models to predict changes in ozone and other gaseous species. Recently it has been realised that the responses (to a variety of external forcings) of the lower and middle atmospheres are linked through both radiative and dynamical mechanisms and should not be viewed in isolation from each other. Thus the fourth type of modelling study, which is still in its infancy, attempts to represent solar variability by realistic changes in both irradiance and ozone concentrations. In this paper these various modelling studies are reviewed and some new results presented which confirm previous theoretical suggestions that, in the northern hemisphere winter, the atmosphere may respond to solar changes in a similar way as to the injection of volcanic aerosol. The implications of the results of the model studies for the detection of solar-induced climate change are discussed.     

Twilight anomaly,midday recovery and cutoff latitudes during the intense polar cap absorption event of March 1991

A study was made of the polar cap absorption (PCA) event on 23–24 March 1991 produced by the largest solar proton event at E>10 MeV since August 1972. This PCA event was related to a solar flare in the eastern hemisphere lasting only 2 days and exhibiting a long time delay between the flare and the increase of ionospheric absorption. Midday recovery occurred regularly each PCA day near the cutoff lati- tudes during the noontime hours and is attributed to the daily variation in the proton cutoff latitudes. The maximum absorption during the PCA event was observed at high latitudes or near the cutoff latitudes where ionization may be due to both solar protons and trapped particles. The minimum in the absorption values during the night-time hours would appear to be caused by the chemistry of the D-region as well as access of the solar protons into the polar cap area.     

Impact of different energies of precipitating particles on NOx generation in the middle and upper atmosphere during geomagnetic storms

Energetic particle precipitation couples the solar wind to the Earth's atmosphere and indirectly to Earth's climate. Ionisation and dissociation increases, due to particle precipitation, create odd nitrogen (NO_x) and odd hydrogen (HO_X) in the upper atmosphere, which can affect ozone chemistry. The long-lived NO_x can be transported downwards into the stratosphere, particularly during the polar winter. Thus, the impact of NO_x is determined by both the initial ionisation production, which is a function of the particle flux and energy spectrum, as well as transport rates. In this paper, we use the Sodankylä Ion and Neurtal Chemistry (SIC) model to simulate the production of NO_x from examples of the most representative particle flux and energy spectra available today of solar proton events (SPE), auroral energy electrons, and relativistic electron precipitation (REP). Large SPEs are found to produce higher initial NO_x concentrations than long-lived REP events, which themselves produce higher initial NO_x levels than auroral electron precipitation. Only REP microburst events were found to be insignificant in terms of generating NO_x. We show that the Global Ozone Monitoring by Occultation of Stars (GOMOS) observations from the Arctic winter 2003–2004 are consistent with NO_x generation by a combination of SPE, auroral altitude precipitation, and long-lived REP events.