Simulation of the indirect impact that the 11-year solar cycle has on the gas composition of the atmosphere

An interactive three-dimensional chemistry-climate model combining models of the gas composition and general circulation of the lower and middle atmosphere is used to study the impact of changes in extra-atmospheric solar radiative fluxes induced by solar activity on the stratospheric heating and subsequent temperature and ozone variations in the stratosphere and troposphere. The results have shown that a change in the atmospheric radiative heating resulting from variations in solar activity has a direct effect on the temperature and circulation of the atmosphere. Atmospheric temperature variations affect the rates of temperature-dependent chemical reactions, and this is considered the first type of indirect impact of solar activity on the atmospheric gas composition. On the other hand, as a result of the variation in atmospheric heating, its circulation changes, thus affecting the transport of minor gases into the atmosphere. This effect is considered the second type of indirect impact of solar activity on atmospheric gases. The results of our calculations have shown that both types of indirect impact of the variation in solar activity on the atmospheric gas composition are comparable in order of magnitude to the direct impact of solar activity on atmospheric gases.     

Combined chemistry-climate model of the atmosphere

A combined three-dimensional global model of the chemistry and dynamics of the lower and middle atmosphere (up to 90 km from the Earth’s surface) is described. With the use of this model within the AMIP2 (1979–1995) program, numerical calculations were performed with consideration for the interactive coupling between the ozone content, radiation heating, and atmospheric circulation. Comparisons were made between calculated and observed data on the ozone content and temperature. Heterogeneous processes on the surface of polar stratospheric clouds were shown to be important for a correct simulation of the spatial and temporal distribution of atmospheric ozone.     

Simulation of the impact of thunderstorm activity on atmospheric gas composition

A chemistry-climate model of the lower and middle atmosphere has been used to estimate the sensitivity of the atmospheric gas composition to the rate of thunderstorm production of nitrogen oxides at upper tropospheric and lower stratospheric altitudes. The impact that nitrogen oxides produced by lightning have on the atmospheric gas composition is treated as a subgrid-scale process and included in the model parametrically. The natural uncertainty in the global production rate of nitrogen oxides in lightning flashes was specified within limits from 2 to 20 Tg N/year. Results of the model experiments have shown that, due to the variability of thunderstorm-produced nitrogen oxides, their concentration in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere can vary by a factor of 2 or 3, which, given the influence of nitrogen oxides on ozone and other gases, creates the potential for a strong perturbation of the atmospheric gas composition and thermal regime. Model calculations have shown the strong sensitivity of ozone and the OH hydroxyl to the amount of lightning nitrogen oxides at different atmospheric altitudes. These calculations demonstrate the importance of nitrogen oxides of thunderstorm origin for the balance of atmospheric odd ozone and gases linked to it, such as ozone and hydroxyl radicals. Our results demonstrate that one important task is to raise the accuracy of estimates of the rate of nitrogen oxide production by lightning discharges and to use physical parametrizations that take into account the local lightning effects and feedbacks arising in this case rather than climatological data in models of the gas composition and general circulation of the atmosphere.     

Modeling the variability of gas and aerosol components in the stratosphere of polar regions

A thermodynamics-microphysics model of the formation and evolution of stratospheric clouds is developed. This model was integrated into the global chemistry-climate model of the lower and middle atmosphere. Model experiments on the study of the evolution of the gas and aerosol compositions of the Arctic and Antarctic atmosphere were performed. The results of an investigation into the observed differences of changes in the contents of gaseous impurities and aerosol in polar regions showed that the presence of nitrification in the Antarctic and its absence in the Arctic are the main factors controlling distinctions between the formation of a full-value ozone hole in the Antarctic and only occasional “mini-holes” in the Arctic.     

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.     

Simulation of changes in global ozone and atmospheric dynamics in the 21st century with the chemistry-climate model SOCOL

The solar climate ozone links (SOCOL) three-dimensional chemistry-climate model is used to estimate changes in the ozone and atmospheric dynamics over the 21st century. With this model, four numerical time-slice experiments were conducted for 1980, 2000, 2050, and 2100 conditions. Boundary conditions for sea-surface temperatures, sea-ice parameters, and concentrations of greenhouse and ozone-depleting gases were set following the IPCC A1B scenario and the WMO A1 scenario. From the model results, a statistically significant cooling of the model stratosphere was obtained to be 4–5 K for 2000–2050 and 3–5 K for 2050–2100. The temperature of the lower atmosphere increases by 2–3 K over the 21st century. Tropospheric heating significantly enhances the activity of planetary-scale waves at the tropopause. As a result, the Eliassen-Palm flux divergence considerable increases in the middle and upper stratosphere. The intensity of zonal circulation decreases and the meridional residual circulation increases, especially in the winter-spring period of each hemisphere. These dynamic changes, along with a decrease in the concentrations of ozone-depleting gases, result in a faster growth of O₃ outside the tropics. For example, by 2050, the total ozone in the middle and high latitudes approaches its model level of 1980 and the ozone hole in Antarctica fills up. The superrecovery of the model ozone layer in the middle and high latitudes of both hemispheres occurs in 2100. The tropical ozone layer recovers far less slowly, reaching a 1980 level only by 2100.     

Generation of normal atmospheric modes by stratospheric vacillations

A number of numerical experiments were performed with the use of the middle and upper atmosphere model (MUAM). In these experiments, the atmospheric response to an external excitation in the troposphere was calculated and internal stratospheric vacillations caused by the interaction of stationary planetary waves (SPWs) with the zonal mean flow were modeled. The MUAM is shown to well reproduce the known high-frequency global resonance responses of the atmosphere to an external excitation. The results of modeling show that the stratospheric vacillations caused by the interaction of SPWs and the mean flow are responsible for the generation of low-frequency normal modes in the lower and middle atmosphere. The activity of normal atmospheric modes in the troposphere and stratosphere is noted to increase simultaneously with the development of sudden stratospheric warmings. However, in order to understand which process is primary, an additional analysis of the results of numerical experiments and stratospheric data is necessary. It is inferred that, for an adequate modeling of stratospheric vacillation cycles, atmospheric general circulation models must be capable of reproducing global resonance properties of the atmosphere.     

Dynamics of trace gases and aerosols in the atmosphere with consideration for heterogeneous processes

A combined mathematical model has been developed to reproduce space and time variations in the concentrations of multicomponent gas constituents and aerosols in the atmosphere on both regional and urban scales. This model contains blocks of transport of gas constituents and aerosols in the atmosphere with consideration for homogeneous binary nucleation, the kinetic processes of condensation/evaporation and coagulation, chemical processes occurring in both gas and liquid phases, and the processes of mass exchange during the gas-droplet (particle) interaction. A nonhydrostatic model of atmospheric mesoscale processes is used to calculate the fields of meteorological elements and turbulent characteristics. The generation of new-phase particles from precursor gases by the mechanism of homogeneous binary nucleation and their interaction with background aerosol are considered. The results of numerical experiments are compared with the data obtained from field observations of both space and time variations in the concentrations of gas constituents and aerosols and in the ionic content of aerosol particles over the Baikal region under the influence of emissions from powerful industrial sources.     

Dynamics of surface-air pollution during the passage of a cold front

The dynamics of meteorological parameters, of sodar data on the temperature stratification of the atmospheric boundary layer, and of surface contents of pollutants (nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and ozone) during the passage over Moscow of a structurally complex prominent cold front are discussed. It is shown that the cold front passage is accompanied by stepwise increases in the NO, NO₂, and CO surface contents. A probable cause of this phenomenon is a quick entrainment of smoke plumes from high-altitude sources of pollution into the surface turbulent air near the frontal boundary. Intense advection of cold air at the rear of the cyclone can lead to the development of an unstable stratification in the atmospheric boundary layer even in the nighttime. Under these conditions, the minute-scale variability of contents of trace gases increases abruptly as compared to that occurring in the frontal zone of the cyclone prior to the passage of the front. This effect is statistically significant. The dynamics of surface ozone reflects an increase in its background concentrations in arctic air masses.     

海洋中生源活性气体的来源与迁移转化

海洋生源活性气体主要包括二甲基硫（DMS）、甲烷（CH₄）、氧化亚氮（N₂O）、一氧化碳（CO）、挥发性卤代烃（VHCs）和非甲烷烃（NMHCs）等。它们通过海-气交换进入大气,不仅在全球碳、氮和硫循环中发挥关键作用,而且会直接或间接地对环境和气候变化产生重要影响。海洋释放的活性气体一类属于温室效应气体（CH₄、N₂O、VHCs和CO等）,另一类会在大气中发生化学反应,控制着大气氧化平衡和臭氧浓度（VHCs和NMHCs）。而DMS属于负温室效应气体,其在大气中被快速氧化形成硫酸盐气溶胶,进而对云的形成和辐射强迫产生重要影响。本文综述了国内外海洋生源活性气体的研究现状,着重介绍了DMS、CH₄和N₂O的来源、迁移转化、海-气通量及其影响机制,并指明了该领域存在的科学问题及今后的研究方向。     

Analysis of the weekly cycle in the atmosphere near Moscow

Using the spectral method and the method of grouping by days of week, we analyzed the weekly cycles by standard air sounding data obtained at the Dolgoprudny station near Moscow and by the results of measurements of NO₂ content in the stratosphere and the atmospheric boundary layer at the Zvenigorod Research Station of the Obukhov Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, in 1990–2010. We revealed weekly cycles of the NO₂ content in the vertical column of the stratosphere, temperature, geopotential, meridional wind velocity in the troposphere and lower stratosphere, and the tropopause height in the warm half of the year (mid-April to mid-October). The weekly variations in temperature in the troposphere are positive in the first half of the week and negative in the second half, and the variations in temperature in the tropopause layer and in the lower stratosphere are opposite in sign to the tropospheric variations. The weekly cycle of the tropopause height is approximately in phase with the cycle of tropospheric temperature, and the weekly cycle of the NO₂ content in the stratospheric column is opposite in phase to the cycle of the tropopause height. Weekly variations were also observed in the total ozone content over Moscow. This finding was confirmed by calculations based on regression relationships between the vertical distribution of ozone and tropopause height. Conceptual mechanisms of weekly cycles were proposed.     

Comparing data obtained from ground-based measurements of the total contents of O<Subscript>3</Subscript>, HNO<Subscript>3</Subscript>,HCl,and NO<Subscript>2</Subscript> and from their numerical simulation

Chemistry climate models of the gas composition of the atmosphere make it possible to simulate both space and time variations in atmospheric trace-gas components (TGCs) and predict their changes. Both verification and improvement of such models on the basis of a comparison with experimental data are of great importance. Data obtained from the 2009–2012 ground-based spectrometric measurements of the total contents (TCs) of a number of TGCs (ozone, HNO₃, HCl, and NO₂) in the atmosphere over the St. Petersburg region (Petergof station, St. Petersburg State University) have been compared to analogous EMAC model data. Both daily and monthly means of their TCs for this period have been analyzed in detail. The seasonal dependences of the TCs of the gases under study are shown to be adequately reproduced by the EMAC model. At the same time, a number of disagreements (including systematic ones) have been revealed between model and measurement data. Thus, for example, the EMAC model underestimates the TCs of NO₂, HCl, and HNO₃, when compared to measurement data, on average, by 14, 22, and 35%, respectively. However, the TC of ozone is overestimated by the EMAC model (on average, by 12%) when compared to measurement data. In order to reveal the reasons for such disagreements between simulated and measured data on the TCs of TGCs, it is necessary to continue studies on comparisons of the contents of TGCs in different atmospheric layers.     

Analysis of the sensitivity of the composition and temperature of the stratosphere to the variability of spectral solar radiation fluxes induced by the 11-year cycle of solar activity

The sensitivity of the gas composition of the atmosphere and its temperature to the changes in spectral radiation fluxes during the 11-year cycle of solar activity has been analyzed with a chemistry-climate model of the lower and middle atmosphere. For this, the data of satellite measurements acquired in the first decade of the 21st century were used. The results of the model calculations showed that, in addition to the increase in the spectral flux in the absorption bands of molecular oxygen that leads to the growth of the ozone content, the changes in the flux at longer wavelengths are significant for the composition and temperature of the atmosphere. The changes of the ozone destruction rate in different catalytic cycles partly compensate each other; in these processes, the destruction rate increases in the reaction with atomic oxygen, while it decreases in the hydrogen and chlorine cycles.     

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.     

Changes in Vertical Distribution and Column Content of NO<Subscript>2</Subscript> under the Influence of Sudden Stratospheric Warmings

Characteristic features of changes in the vertical distribution and column content of NO₂, total ozone, and stratospheric temperature have been revealed as a result of major sudden stratospheric warmings (SSWs). Strong negative anomalies of column NO₂, total ozone and stratospheric temperature are caused by the displacement of the stratospheric circumpolar vortex aside from the pole. Strong positive anomalies of column NO₂ and total ozone are observed more frequently under SSWs accompanied by splitting of the stratospheric circumpolar vortex and are caused by the transport of stratospheric air from the low latitudes. Major SSWs can lead to significant changes in the vertical profile of NO₂. The changes in different stratospheric layers can be opposite to each other when the edge of the polar vortex is over a site of ground-based observations.     

Quasi-biennial variations in ozone and meteorological parameters over western Europe from ozonesonde data

Quasi-biennial variations in vertical profiles of ozone, temperature, air pressure, and zonal and meridional wind velocities are analyzed from ozonesonde data obtained at the western European stations of Lindenberg, Hohenpeissenberg, and Payerne. The effect of quasi-biennial variations manifests itself variously in different variables and is nonuniform in altitude. The period of quasi-biennial variations is not constant, and the values of the mean period group mainly around 2 and 2.5 years. As in the North American region, the effects of quasi-biennial variations in different parameters of the stratosphere and troposphere over western Europe are due to a combination of the effects of the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) in the equatorial stratosphere, the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), and the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). The observed 2.5-year variations in stratospheric ozone are related to the equatorial QBO to a larger extent in comparison with variations in other variables. It seems likely that a determining influence on variations in stratospheric wind and temperature is exerted by the ENSO. Variations in tropospheric and stratospheric parameters with a mean period of about 2 years are due to the ENSO and NAO effects.     

Seasonal features of quasi-biennial variations of NO<Subscript>2</Subscript> stratospheric content derived from ground-based measurements

Seasonal and latitudinal distributions of amplitudes of quasi-biennial variations in total NO₂ content (NO₂ TC), total ozone content (TOC), and stratospheric temperature are obtained. NO₂ TC data from ground-based spectrometric measurements within the Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change (NDACC), TOC data from satellite measurements, and stratospheric temperature data from ERA-Interim reanalysis are used for the analysis. The differences in the NO₂ TC diurnal cycles are identified between the westerly and easterly phases of the quasi-biennial oscillations (QBO) of equatorial stratospheric wind. The QBO effects in the NO₂ TC, TOC, and stratospheric temperature in the Northern (NH) and Southern (SH) hemispheres are most significant in the winter–spring periods, with essential differences between the NH and SH. The NO₂ TC in the Antarctic is less for the westerly phase of the QBO than that for the easterly phase, and the NO₂ TC quasi-biennial variations in the SH mid-latitudes are opposite of the variations in the Antarctic. In the NH, the winter values of the NO₂ TC are generally less during the westerly QBO phase than during the easterly phase, whereas in spring, on the contrary, the values for the westerly QBO phase exceed those for the easterly phase. Along with NO₂, the features of the quasi-biennial variations of TOC and stratospheric temperature are discussed. Possible mechanisms of the quasi-biennial variations of the analyzed parameters are considered for the different latitudinal zones.     

Studies of temperature effects of dust storms

We studied the temperature variations of the lower air layer caused by dust content using a dust storm in Dushanbe in November 2007 as an example. Quantitative estimates of air cooling and a decrease in the diurnal temperature difference due to a diminishing horizontal visibility range are given. Observations of air temperature variations due to the dust content of the atmosphere in an arid zone are presented. The critical value of aerosol concentration for toggling between the greenhouse and antigreenhouse effects is determined. The long-term effect of dust aerosol on climate is analyzed.     

亚洲夏季风对偶极子型人为气溶胶排放变化的响应特征与机理

利用第六次国际耦合模式比较计划（Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6, CMIP6）中的两组子试验,结合线性斜压模式模拟的结果,研究了近年来亚洲内部出现的东亚减少、南亚增加的偶极子型人为气溶胶排放变化调控亚洲夏季风响应的特征及物理机制。对东亚夏季风而言,在考虑海洋-大气耦合作用的气候系统总响应中,东亚夏季风环流和降水显著地加强;在不考虑海洋调控作用的大气直接响应过程中,东亚人为气溶胶排放减少导致的陆地升温使得海陆温差增大,进而通过引起东亚陆地上的气旋式环流异常加强东亚夏季风环流和降水。对南亚夏季风而言,其在偶极子型人为气溶胶强迫下呈现出更为复杂的变化特征。在大气直接响应过程中,人为气溶胶强迫引起的海陆热力差异变化导致南亚夏季风环流减弱、降水减少。在考虑海洋-大气耦合过程的总响应中,南亚夏季风环流表现出微弱增强,同时印度次大陆的南亚夏季风降水也出现增多的异常变化。这表明,局地和海洋-大气动力耦合过程在区域气候对人为气溶胶强迫的响应中扮演着非常重要的角色。此外,通过线性斜压模式发现,东亚和南亚局地的人为气溶胶强迫导致的大气加热场异常不仅能影响局地的夏季风环流,还可以通过引起大范围的表面气压异常进而调控整个亚洲夏季风环流的变化。     

冬季九龙江河口表层水体N_2O分布特征及海气通量的初步研究

氧化亚氮（N2O）因其强温室效应和潜在的臭氧破坏作用备受关注.大量研究显示河口区域,特别是人为氮源输入影响严重的区域是N2O的重要源区.随着氮肥施用量的快速增加,中国大陆河口区域对全球N2O收支势必有较大的贡献.本文研究了2009年冬季九龙江口表层水N2O浓度的分布特征及其影响因素,并评估了其海气通量.研究结果显示,冬季九龙江河口表层水体N2O浓度从盐度低至0.3时的81.7±1.7 nmol/dm3下降至盐度为27.2时的14.1±0.2 nmol/dm3,相应盐度下其饱和度分别为754%和138%;九龙江河口为大气N2O的强源区.与NO3-N、NO2-N、NH4-N等营养盐浓度的分布特征相比较可推测,2009年冬季N2O在九龙江河口的混合过程中呈不保守状态,部分N2O可能通过海气混合过程从水体迁移出.N2O的海气通量呈由高盐处向低盐处递增的趋势,变化范围在3~94μmol/（m2.d）之间.