The use of SMILES data to study ozone loss in the Arctic winter 2009/2010 and comparison with Odin/SMR data using assimilation techniques

Abstract. The Superconducting Submillimeter-Wave Limb-Emission Sounder (SMILES) on board the International Space Station observed ozone in the stratosphere with high precision from October 2009 to April 2010. Although SMILES measurements only cover latitudes from 38° S to 65° N, the combination of data assimilation methods and an isentropic advection model allows us to quantify the ozone depletion in the 2009/2010 Arctic polar winter by making use of the instability of the polar vortex in the northern hemisphere. Ozone data from both SMILES and Odin/SMR (Sub-Millimetre Radiometer) for the winter were assimilated into the Dynamical Isentropic Assimilation Model for OdiN Data (DIAMOND). DIAMOND is an off-line wind-driven transport model on isentropic surfaces. Wind data from the operational analyses of the European Centre for Medium- Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) were used to drive the model. In this study, particular attention is paid to the cross isentropic transport of the tracer in order to accurately assess the ozone loss. The assimilated SMILES ozone fields agree well with the limitation of noise induced variability within the SMR fields despite the limited latitude coverage of the SMILES observations. Ozone depletion has been derived by comparing the ozone field acquired by sequential assimilation with a passively transported ozone field initialized on 1 December 2009. Significant ozone loss was found in different periods and altitudes from using both SMILES and SMR data: The initial depletion occurred at the end of January below 550 K with an accumulated loss of 0.6–1.0 ppmv (approximately 20%) by 1 April. The ensuing loss started from the end of February between 575 K and 650 K. Our estimation shows that 0.8–1.3 ppmv (20–25 %) of O3 has been removed at the 600 K isentropic level by 1 April in volume mixing ratio (VMR).

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The use of SMILES data to study ozone loss in the Arctic winter 2009/2010 and comparison with Odin/SMR data using assimilation techniques

Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Discussions ◽

10.5194/acpd-14-7889-2014 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 14 (6) ◽

pp. 7889-7916

Author(s):

K. Sagi ◽

D. Murtagh ◽

J. Urban ◽

H. Sagawa ◽

Y. Kasai

Keyword(s):

Ozone Depletion ◽

Transport Model ◽

Space Station ◽

Polar Vortex ◽

High Sensitivity ◽

The Arctic ◽

Weather Forecasts ◽

Ozone Loss ◽

Medium Range ◽

Assimilation Model

Abstract. The Superconducting Submillimeter-Wave Limb-Emission Sounder (SMILES) on board the International Space Station observed ozone profiles in the stratosphere with high sensitivity. Although SMILES measurements do not cover high latitudes, the combination of data assimilation methods and an isentropic advection model allows us to use SMILES measurements to investigate the ozone loss due to the instability of the polar vortex in the northern hemisphere. We quantified the ozone depletion in the 2009/2010 Arctic polar winter. Ozone data from both SMILES and Odin/SMR (Sub-Millimetre Radiometer) for the winter were assimilated into the Dynamical Isentropic Assimilation Model for OdiN Data (DIAMOND). DIAMOND is an off-line wind-driven transport model on isentropic surfaces. Wind data from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) were used to drive the model. In this study, particular attention is paid to the cross isentropic transport of the tracer. The assimilated SMILES ozone fields agree with the SMR fields despite the limited latitude coverage. Ozone depletion has been derived by comparing the ozone field acquired by sequential assimilation with a passively transported ozone field initiated to 1 December 2009. Significant ozone loss was found in different periods and altitudes from using both SMILES and SMR data. The initial depletion occurred in the end of January below 500 K with a loss of 0.6–1.0 ppm (approximately 20%). The ensuing loss started from the end of February between 575 K and 650 K. Our estimation shows that 0.8 ppmv (15–20%) of O3 has been removed from the lower stratosphere by 1 April in VMR.

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Record springtime stratospheric ozone depletion at 80°N in 2020

10.5194/egusphere-egu21-8892 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ramina Alwarda ◽

Kristof Bognar ◽

Kimberly Strong ◽

Martyn Chipperfield ◽

Sandip Dhomse ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ozone Depletion ◽

Transport Model ◽

Stratospheric Ozone ◽

Polar Vortex ◽

The Arctic ◽

Optical Absorption Spectroscopy ◽

Chemical Transport Model ◽

Polar Stratospheric Clouds ◽

Ozone Loss ◽

Stratospheric Clouds

The Arctic winter of 2019-2020 was characterized by an unusually persistent polar vortex and temperatures in the lower stratosphere that were consistently below the threshold for the formation of polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs). These conditions led to ozone loss that is comparable to the Antarctic ozone hole. Ground-based measurements from a suite of instruments at the Polar Environment Atmospheric Research Laboratory (PEARL) in Eureka, Canada (80.05&#176;N, 86.42&#176;W) were used to investigate chemical ozone depletion. The vortex was located above Eureka longer than in any previous year in the 20-year dataset and lidar measurements provided evidence of polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) above Eureka. Additionally, UV-visible zenith-sky Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (DOAS) measurements showed record ozone loss in the 20-year dataset, evidence of denitrification along with the slowest increase of NO2 during spring, as well as enhanced reactive halogen species (OClO and BrO). Complementary measurements of HCl and ClONO2 (chlorine reservoir species) from a Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer showed unusually low columns that were comparable to 2011, the previous year with significant chemical ozone depletion. Record low values of HNO3 in the FTIR dataset are in accordance with the evidence of PSCs and a denitrified atmosphere. Estimates of chemical ozone loss were derived using passive ozone from the SLIMCAT offline chemical transport model to account for dynamical contributions to the stratospheric ozone budget.

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Chemical ozone loss and ozone mini-hole event during the Arctic winter 2010/2011 as observed by SCIAMACHY and GOME-2

Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics ◽

10.5194/acp-14-3247-2014 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 14 (7) ◽

pp. 3247-3276 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

R. Hommel ◽

K.-U. Eichmann ◽

J. Aschmann ◽

K. Bramstedt ◽

M. Weber ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Transport Model ◽

Polar Vortex ◽

The Arctic ◽

Optical Absorption Spectroscopy ◽

Late Winter ◽

Total Column Ozone ◽

Bromine Oxide ◽

Ozone Loss ◽

Catalytic Cycles ◽

Total Column

Abstract. Record breaking loss of ozone (O3) in the Arctic stratosphere has been reported in winter–spring 2010/2011. We examine in detail the composition and transformations occurring in the Arctic polar vortex using total column and vertical profile data products for O3, bromine oxide (BrO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), chlorine dioxide (OClO), and polar stratospheric clouds (PSC) retrieved from measurements made by SCIAMACHY (Scanning Imaging Absorption SpectroMeter for Atmospheric CHartography) on-board Envisat (Environmental Satellite), as well as total column ozone amount, retrieved from the measurements of GOME-2 (Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment) on MetOp-A (Meteorological Experimental Satellite). Similarly we use the retrieved data from DOAS (Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy) measurements made in Ny-Ålesund (78.55° N, 11.55° E). A chemical transport model (CTM) has been used to relate and compare Arctic winter–spring conditions in 2011 with those in the previous year. In late winter–spring 2010/2011 the chemical ozone loss in the polar vortex derived from SCIAMACHY observations confirms findings reported elsewhere. More than 70% of O3 was depleted by halogen catalytic cycles between the 425 and 525 K isentropic surfaces, i.e. in the altitude range ~16–20 km. In contrast, during the same period in the previous winter 2009/2010, a typical warm Arctic winter, only slightly more than 20% depletion occurred below 20 km, while 40% of O3 was removed above the 575 K isentrope (~23 km). This loss above 575 K is explained by the catalytic destruction by NOx descending from the mesosphere. In both Arctic winters 2009/2010 and 2010/2011, calculated O3 losses from the CTM are in good agreement to our observations and other model studies. The mid-winter 2011 conditions, prior to the catalytic cycles being fully effective, are also investigated. Surprisingly, a significant loss of O3 around 60%, previously not discussed in detail, is observed in mid-January 2011 below 500 K (~19 km) and sustained for approximately 1 week. The low O3 region had an exceptionally large spatial extent. The situation was caused by two independently evolving tropopause elevations over the Asian continent. Induced adiabatic cooling of the stratosphere favoured the formation of PSC, increased the amount of active chlorine for a short time, and potentially contributed to higher polar ozone loss later in spring.

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A three-dimensional model comparison of PSC processing during the Arctic winters of 1991/1992 and 1992/1993

Annales Geophysicae ◽

10.1007/s00585-994-0342-7 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 12 (4) ◽

pp. 342-354 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

M. P. Chipperfield

Keyword(s):

Model Comparison ◽

Transport Model ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

Polar Vortex ◽

The Arctic ◽

Three Dimensional Model ◽

Polar Stratospheric Clouds ◽

Ozone Loss ◽

Stratospheric Clouds ◽

Compare And Contrast

Abstract. A three-dimensional transport model has been used to compare and contrast the extent of processing by polar stratospheric clouds during the northern hemisphere winters of 1991/1992 and 1992/1993. The model has also been used to compare the potential for ozone loss between these two winters. The TOMCAT off-line model is forced using meteorological analyses from the ECMWF. During winter 1992/1993 polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) in the model persisted into late February/early March, which is much later than in 1991/1992. This persistence of PSCs should have resulted in much more ozone loss in the later winter. Interestingly, however, the extent of PSC processing and ozone loss was greater in January 1992 than January 1993. In January 1992 PSCs occurred at the edge of a distorted polar vortex whilst in January 1993 the PSCs were located at the centre of a much more zonally symmetrical vortex. In March 1993, distortions of the vortex led to the tearing off of vortex air and its mixing into midlatitudes.

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Modelling the effect of denitrification on polar ozone depletion for Arctic winter/spring 2004/05

Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Discussions ◽

10.5194/acpd-11-3857-2011 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 3857-3884 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

W. Feng ◽

M. P. Chipperfield ◽

S. Davies ◽

G. W. Mann ◽

K. S. Carslaw ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Standard Model ◽

Ozone Depletion ◽

Transport Model ◽

The Arctic ◽

Chemical Transport Model ◽

Particle Sedimentation ◽

Ozone Loss ◽

The Standard Model ◽

The Impact ◽

Polar Ozone

Abstract. A three-dimensional (3-D) chemical transport model (CTM), SLIMCAT, has been used to quantify the effect of denitrification on ozone loss for the Arctic winter/spring 2004/05. The simulated HNO3 is found to be highly sensitive to the polar stratospheric cloud (PSC) scheme used in the model. Here the standard SLIMCAT full chemistry model, which uses a thermodynamic equilibrium PSC scheme, overpredicts the Arctic ozone loss for Arctic winter/spring 2004/05 due to the overestimation of denitrification and stronger chlorine activation than observed. A model run with a detailed microphysical denitrification scheme, DLAPSE (Denitrification by Lagrangian Particle Sedimentation), is less denitrified than the standard model run and better reproduces the observed HNO3 as measured by Airborne SUbmillimeter Radiometer (ASUR) and Aura Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) instruments. The overestimated denitrification causes a small overestimation of Arctic polar ozone loss (~5–10% at ~17 km) by the standard model. Use of the DLAPSE scheme improves the simulation of Arctic ozone depletion compared with the inferred partial column ozone loss from ozonesondes and satellite data. Overall, denitrification is responsible for a ~30% enhancement in O3 depletion for Arctic winter/spring 2004/05, suggesting that the successful simulation of the impact of denitrification on Arctic ozone depletion also requires the use of a detailed microphysical PSC scheme in the model.

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The impact of mid-latitude intrusions into the polar vortex on ozone loss estimates

Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Discussions ◽

10.5194/acpd-2-2489-2002 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 2 (6) ◽

pp. 2489-2506

Author(s):

J.-U. Grooß ◽

R. Müller

Keyword(s):

Loss Rate ◽

Polar Vortex ◽

Lagrangian Model ◽

The Arctic ◽

Mixing Ratio ◽

Match Method ◽

Air Masses ◽

Model Simulations ◽

Ozone Loss ◽

The Impact

Abstract. Current stratospheric chemical model simulations underestimate substantially the large ozone loss rates that are derived for the Arctic from ozone sondes for January of some years. Until now, no explanation for this discrepancy has been found. Here, we examine the influence of intrusions of mid-latitude air into the polar vortex on these ozone loss estimates. This study focuses on the winter 1991/92. It is based on simulations performed with the Chemical Lagrangian Model of the Stratosphere (CLaMS). The simulations for January 1992 show that the intrusions induce a reduction of vortex average ozone mixing ratio corresponding to a systematic offset of the ozone loss rate of about 12 ppb per day. Further, the results of the Match method are influenced by the intrusions, since the intruded air masses are deformed and reach dimensions below the Match radius. From our calculations we deduce a systematic offset of the Match ozone loss rate by about 10 ppb/day, which may explain about 28% of the published discrepancy between Match and box model simulations for the winter 1991/92.

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Mid-winter lower stratosphere temperatures in the Antarctic vortex: comparison between observations and ECMWF operational model.

Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Discussions ◽

10.5194/acpd-6-7697-2006 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 6 (4) ◽

pp. 7697-7714

Author(s):

M. C. Parrondo ◽

M. Yela ◽

M. Gil ◽

P. von der Gathen ◽

H. Ochoa

Keyword(s):

Ozone Depletion ◽

Lower Stratosphere ◽

Transport Model ◽

Temperature Fields ◽

Temperature Profiles ◽

Temperature Dependent ◽

Operational Model ◽

Weather Forecasts ◽

Medium Range ◽

The Antarctic

Abstract. Radiosonde temperature profiles from Belgrano (78° S) and other Antarctic stations have been compared with European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) data during the winter of 2003. Results show a bias in the operational model which is height and temperature dependent, being too cold at layers peaking at 80 and 25–30 hPa, and hence resulting in an overestimation of the predicted potential PSC areas. Here we show the results of the comparison by considering the possibility of a bias in the sondes at extremely low temperatures and discuss the potential implications that this bias might have on the ozone depletion computed by Climate Transport Model based on ECMWF temperature fields.

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Stratospheric ozone loss in the Arctic winters between 2005 and 2013 derived with ACE-FTS measurements

Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics ◽

10.5194/acp-19-577-2019 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

pp. 577-601 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Debora Griffin ◽

Kaley A. Walker ◽

Ingo Wohltmann ◽

Sandip S. Dhomse ◽

Markus Rex ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atmospheric Chemistry ◽

Stratospheric Ozone ◽

Polar Vortex ◽

The Arctic ◽

Estimation Methods ◽

Mixing Ratio ◽

Total Column Ozone ◽

Ozone Loss ◽

Column Ozone ◽

First Time

Abstract. Stratospheric ozone loss inside the Arctic polar vortex for the winters between 2004–2005 and 2012–2013 has been quantified using measurements from the space-borne Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment Fourier Transform Spectrometer (ACE-FTS). For the first time, an evaluation has been performed of six different ozone loss estimation methods based on the same single observational dataset to determine the Arctic ozone loss (mixing ratio loss profiles and the partial-column ozone losses between 380 and 550 K). The methods used are the tracer-tracer correlation, the artificial tracer correlation, the average vortex profile descent, and the passive subtraction with model output from both Lagrangian and Eulerian chemical transport models (CTMs). For the tracer-tracer, the artificial tracer, and the average vortex profile descent approaches, various tracers have been used that are also measured by ACE-FTS. From these seven tracers investigated (CH4, N2O, HF, OCS, CFC-11, CFC-12, and CFC-113), we found that CH4, N2O, HF, and CFC-12 are the most suitable tracers for investigating polar stratospheric ozone depletion with ACE-FTS v3.5. The ozone loss estimates (in terms of the mixing ratio as well as total column ozone) are generally in good agreement between the different methods and among the different tracers. However, using the average vortex profile descent technique typically leads to smaller maximum losses (by approximately 15–30 DU) compared to all other methods. The passive subtraction method using output from CTMs generally results in slightly larger losses compared to the techniques that use ACE-FTS measurements only. The ozone loss computed, using both measurements and models, shows the greatest loss during the 2010–2011 Arctic winter. For that year, our results show that maximum ozone loss (2.1–2.7 ppmv) occurred at 460 K. The estimated partial-column ozone loss inside the polar vortex (between 380 and 550 K) using the different methods is 66–103, 61–95, 59–96, 41–89, and 85–122 DU for March 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010, and 2011, respectively. Ozone loss is difficult to diagnose for the Arctic winters during 2005–2006, 2008–2009, 2011–2012, and 2012–2013, because strong polar vortex disturbance or major sudden stratospheric warming events significantly perturbed the polar vortex, thereby limiting the number of measurements available for the analysis of ozone loss.

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Spatial, temporal, and vertical variability of polar stratospheric ozone loss in the Arctic winters 2004/2005–2009/2010

Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics ◽

10.5194/acp-10-9915-2010 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 10 (20) ◽

pp. 9915-9930 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

J. Kuttippurath ◽

S. Godin-Beekmann ◽

F. Lefèvre ◽

F. Goutail

Keyword(s):

Transport Model ◽

Stratospheric Ozone ◽

Polar Vortex ◽

The Arctic ◽

Model Calculations ◽

Ozone Loss ◽

Vertical Range ◽

Column Ozone ◽

Catalytic Cycles ◽

Good Agreement

Abstract. The polar stratospheric ozone loss during the Arctic winters 2004/2005–2009/2010 is investigated by using high resolution simulations from the chemical transport model Mimosa-Chim and observations from Aura Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS), by applying the passive tracer technique. The winter 2004/2005 shows the coldest temperatures, highest area of polar stratospheric clouds and strongest chlorine activation in 2004/2005–2009/2010. The ozone loss diagnosed from both simulations and measurements inside the polar vortex at 475 K ranges from 0.7 ppmv in the warm winter 2005/2006 to 1.5–1.7 ppmv in the cold winter 2004/2005. Halogenated (chlorine and bromine) catalytic cycles contribute to 75–90% of the ozone loss at this level. At 675 K the lowest loss of 0.3–0.5 ppmv is computed in 2008/2009, and the highest loss of 1.3 ppmv is estimated in 2006/2007 by the model and in 2004/2005 by MLS. Most of the ozone loss (60–75%) at this level results from nitrogen catalytic cycles rather than halogen cycles. At both 475 and 675 K levels the simulated ozone and ozone loss evolution inside the vortex is in reasonably good agreement with the MLS observations. The ozone partial column loss in 350–850 K deduced from the model calculations at the MLS sampling locations inside the polar vortex ranges between 43 DU in 2005/2006 and 109 DU in 2004/2005, while those derived from the MLS observations range between 26 DU and 115 DU for the same winters. The partial column ozone depletion derived in that vertical range is larger than that estimated in 350–550 K by 19±7 DU on average, mainly due to NOx chemistry. The column ozone loss estimates from both Mimosa-Chim and MLS in 350–850 K are generally in good agreement with those derived from ground-based ultraviolet-visible spectrometer total ozone observations for the respective winters, except in 2010.

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The spring 2011 final stratospheric warming above Eureka: anomalous dynamics and chemistry

Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Discussions ◽

10.5194/acpd-12-20033-2012 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 12 (8) ◽

pp. 20033-20072

Author(s):

C. Adams ◽

K. Strong ◽

X. Zhao ◽

A. E. Bourassa ◽

W. H. Daffer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Transport Model ◽

Polar Vortex ◽

The Arctic ◽

Lower Latitude ◽

Optical Absorption Spectroscopy ◽

Chemical Production ◽

Ozone Monitoring Instrument ◽

Ozone Loss ◽

Mixing Ratios ◽

Middle Stratosphere

Abstract. In spring 2011, the Arctic polar vortex was stronger than in any other year on record. As the polar vortex started to break up in April, ozone and NO2 columns were measured with UV-visible spectrometers above the Polar Environment Atmospheric Research Laboratory (PEARL) in Eureka, Canada (80.05° N, 86.42° W) using the differential optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS) technique. These ground-based column measurements were complemented by Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) and Optical Spectrograph and Infra-Red Imager System (OSIRIS) satellite measurements, Global Modeling Initiative (GMI) simulations, and dynamical parameters. On 8 April 2011, NO2 columns above PEARL from the DOAS, OMI, and GMI datasets were approximately twice as large as in previous years. On this day, temperatures and ozone volume mixing ratios above Eureka were high, suggesting enhanced chemical production of NO2 from NO. Additionally, GMI NOx and N2O fields suggest that downward transport along the vortex edge and horizontal transport from lower latitudes also contributed to the enhanced NO2. The anticyclone that transported lower-latitude NOx above PEARL became frozen-in and persisted in dynamical and GMI N2O fields until the end of the measurement period on 31 May 2011. Ozone isolated within this frozen-in anticyclone (FrIAC) in the middle stratosphere was depleted due to reactions with the enhanced NOx. Ozone loss was calculated using the passive tracer technique, with passive ozone profiles from the Lagrangian Chemistry and Transport Model, ATLAS. At 600 K, ozone losses between 1 December 2010 and 20 May 2011 reached 4.2 parts per million by volume (ppmv) (58%) and 4.4 ppmv (61%), when calculated using GMI and OSIRIS ozone profiles, respectively. This middle-stratosphere gas-phase ozone loss led to a more rapid decrease in ozone column amounts in April/May 2011 compared with previous years. Ground-based, OMI, and GMI ozone total columns within the FrIAC all decreased by more than 100 DU from 15 April to 20 May. Two lows in the ozone columns were also investigated and were attributed to a vortex remnant passing above Eureka at ~500 K on 12/13 May and an ozone mini-hole on 22/23 May.

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