scholarly journals Dynamical and chemical processes contributing to ozone loss in exceptional Arctic stratosphere winter-spring of 2020

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergei P. Smyshlyaev ◽  
Pavel N. Vargin ◽  
Alexander N. Lukyanov ◽  
Natalia D. Tsvetkova ◽  
Maxim A. Motsakov
Keyword(s):  
Polar Vortex ◽  
Reanalysis Data ◽  
Chemical Processes ◽  
Western Hemisphere ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Spring Season ◽  
Dynamical Processes ◽  
Stratospheric Polar Vortex ◽  
Ozone Loss ◽  
Eastern Hemisphere

Abstract. The features of dynamical processes and changes in the ozone layer in the Arctic stratosphere during the winter-spring season 2019–2020 are analyzed using ozonesondes, reanalysis data and numerical experiments with a chemistry-transport model (CTM). Using the trajectory model of the Central Aerological Observatory (TRACAO) and the ERA5 reanalysis ozone mixing ratio data, a comparative analysis of the evolution of stratospheric ozone averaged along the trajectories in the winter-spring seasons of 2010–2011, 2015–2016, and 2019–2020 was carried out, which demonstrated that the largest ozone loss at altitudes of 18–20 km within stratospheric polar vortex in the Arctic in winter-spring 2019–2020 exceeded the corresponding values of the other two winter-spring seasons 2010–2011 and 2015–2016 with the largest decrease in ozone content in recent year. The total decrease in the column ozone inside the stratospheric polar vortex, calculated using the vertical ozone profiles obtained based on the ozonesondes data, in the 2019–2020 winter-spring season was more than 150 Dobson Units, which repeated the record depletion for the 2010–2011 winter-spring season. At the same time, the maximum ozone loss in winter 2019–2020 was observed at lower levels than in 2010–2011, which is consistent with the results of trajectory analysis and the results of other authors. The results of numerical calculations with the CTM with dynamical parameters specified from the MERRA-2 reanalysis data, carried out according to several scenarios of accounting for the chemical destruction of ozone, indicated that both dynamical and chemical processes make contributions to ozone loss inside the polar vortex. In this case, dynamical processes predominate in the western hemisphere, while in the eastern hemisphere chemical processes make an almost equal contribution with dynamical factors, and the chemical depletion of ozone is determined not only by heterogeneous processes on the surface of the polar stratospheric clouds, but by the gas-phase destruction in nitrogen catalytic cycles as well.

scholarly journals Numerical Modeling of Ozone Loss in the Exceptional Arctic Stratosphere Winter–Spring of 2020

Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 1470
Author(s):  
Sergey P. Smyshlyaev ◽  
Pavel N. Vargin ◽  
Maksim A. Motsakov
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Experiments ◽  
Reanalysis Data ◽  
Wave Activity ◽  
Western Hemisphere ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Polar Stratospheric Clouds ◽  
Stratospheric Polar Vortex ◽  
Eastern Hemisphere ◽  
Stratospheric Clouds ◽  
Catalytic Cycles

Dynamical processes and changes in the ozone layer in the Arctic stratosphere during the winter of 2019–2020 were analyzed using numerical experiments with a chemistry-transport model (CTM) and reanalysis data. The results of numerical calculations using CTM with Dynamic parameters specified from the Modern Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications, version 2 (MERRA-2) reanalysis data, carried out according to several scenarios of accounting for the chemical destruction of ozone, demonstrated that both Dynamic and chemical processes contribute significantly to ozone changes over the selected World Ozone and Ultraviolet Radiation Data Centre network stations, both in the Eastern and in the Western hemispheres. Based on numerical experiments with the CTM, the specific Dynamic conditions of winter–spring 2019–2020 described a decrease in ozone up to 100 Dobson Units (DU) in the Eastern Hemisphere and over 150 DU in the Western Hemisphere. In this case, the photochemical destruction of ozone in both the Western and Eastern Hemispheres at a maximum was about 50 DU with peaks in April in the Eastern Hemisphere and in March and April in the Western Hemisphere. Heterogeneous activation of halogen gases on the surface of polar stratospheric clouds, on the one hand, led to a sharp increase in the destruction of ozone in chlorine and bromine catalytic cycles, and, on the other hand, decreased its destruction in nitrogen catalytic cycles. Analysis of wave activity using 3D Plumb fluxes showed that the enhancement of upward wave activity propagation in the middle of March over the Gulf of Alaska was observed during the development stage of the minor sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) event that led to displacement of the stratospheric polar vortex to the north of Canada and decrease of polar stratospheric clouds’ volume.

scholarly journals Polar processing in a split vortex: Arctic ozone loss in early winter 2012/2013

2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (10) ◽  
pp. 5381-5403 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. L. Manney ◽  
Z. D. Lawrence ◽  
M. L. Santee ◽  
N. J. Livesey ◽  
A. Lambert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Polar Vortex ◽  
Sunlight Exposure ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Stratospheric Polar Vortex ◽  
Ozone Loss ◽  
Chlorine Monoxide ◽  
Polar Stratospheric Cloud ◽  
Gas Measurements ◽  
Time Of Year ◽  
The One

Abstract. A sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) in early January 2013 caused the Arctic polar vortex to split and temperatures to rapidly rise above the threshold for chlorine activation. However, ozone in the lower stratospheric polar vortex from late December 2012 through early February 2013 reached the lowest values on record for that time of year. Analysis of Aura Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) trace gas measurements and Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO) polar stratospheric cloud (PSC) data shows that exceptional chemical ozone loss early in the 2012/13 Arctic winter resulted from a unique combination of meteorological conditions associated with the early-January 2013 SSW: unusually low temperatures in December 2012, offspring vortices within which air remained well isolated for nearly 1 month after the vortex split, and greater-than-usual vortex sunlight exposure throughout December 2012 and January 2013. Conditions in the two offspring vortices differed substantially, with the one overlying Canada having lower temperatures, lower nitric acid (HNO3), lower hydrogen chloride, more sunlight exposure/higher ClO in late January, and a later onset of chlorine deactivation than the one overlying Siberia. MLS HNO3 and CALIPSO data indicate that PSC activity in December 2012 was more extensive and persistent than at that time in any other Arctic winter in the past decade. Chlorine monoxide (ClO, measured by MLS) rose earlier than previously observed and was the largest on record through mid-January 2013. Enhanced vortex ClO persisted until mid-February despite the cessation of PSC activity when the SSW started. Vortex HNO3 remained depressed after PSCs had disappeared; passive transport calculations indicate vortex-averaged denitrification of about 4 parts per billion by volume. The estimated vortex-averaged chemical ozone loss, ~ 0.7–0.8 parts per million by volume near 500 K (~21 km), was the largest December/January loss in the MLS record from 2004/05 to 2014/15.

scholarly journals INVESTIGATION OF WINTER ARCTIC STRATOSPHERIC DYNAMICS IN PRESENT AND FUTURE CLIMATE

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (6) ◽  
pp. 21-28
Author(s):  
P.N. Vargin ◽  
◽  
S.V. Коstrykin ◽  
, N.D. Tsvetkova ◽  
, A.N. Lukyanov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Model ◽  
Polar Vortex ◽  
Mean Amplitude ◽  
Reanalysis Data ◽  
Future Climate ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Stratospheric Polar Vortex ◽  
Stratospheric Dynamics ◽  
Stratospheric Clouds

. Using reanalysis data sets variability of temperature, zonal mean, amplitude-planetary waves, as well as the influence of the Arctic stratospheric polar vortex changes on the circulation of troposphere from 2016 to 2021 are studied. The results of calculations of the climate model of the INM RAS CM5 for the current and future climate are used to analyze changes in the volume of air masses inside the stratospheric polar vortex with temperatures sufficient for the formation of polar stratospheric clouds necessary for the destruction of the ozone layer.

scholarly journals Interaction of chemical and transport processes during the formation of the Arctic stratospheric polar vortex

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 32283-32300
Author(s):  
D. Blessmann ◽  
I. Wohltmann ◽  
R. Lehmann ◽  
M. Rex
Keyword(s):  
Initial Perturbation ◽  
Vortex Formation ◽  
Polar Vortex ◽  
Quantitative Measure ◽  
Transport Processes ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Dynamical Processes ◽  
Stratospheric Polar Vortex ◽  
Relevant Variable ◽  
Formation Phase

Abstract. Dynamical processes during the formation phase of the Arctic polar vortex can introduce considerable interannual variability in the amount of ozone that is incorporated into the vortex. Chemistry in autumn and early winter tends to remove part of that variability because ozone relaxes towards equilibrium. As a quantitative measure of how relevant variable dynamical processes during vortex formation are for the winter ozone abundances above the Arctic we analyze which fraction of an ozone anomaly induced dynamically during vortex formation persists until mid-winter. The work is based on the Lagrangian Chemistry Transport Model ATLAS. Model runs for the winter 1999–2000 are used to assess the fate of an ozone anomaly artificially introduced during the vortex formation phase. From these runs we get detailed information about the persistence of the induced ozone variability over time, height and latitude. Induced ozone variability survives longer inside the polar vortex compared to outside. At 540 K inside the polar vortex half of the initial perturbation survives until mid-winter (3 January) with a rapid fall off towards higher levels, mainly due to NOx induced chemistry. At 660 K 10% of the initial perturbation survives. Above 750 K the signal falls to values below 0.5%. Hence, dynamically induced ozone variability from the vortex formation phase can not significantly contribute to mid-winter variability at levels above 750 K. At lower levels increasingly larger fractions of the initial perturbation survive, reaching 90% at 450 K. In this vertical range dynamical processes during the vortex formation phase are crucial for the ozone abundance in mid-winter.

STUDYING CHEMICAL OZONE DEPLETION AND DYNAMIC PROCESSES IN THE ARCTIC STRATOSPHERE IN THE WINTER OF 2019/2020

2021 ◽  
pp. 70-83
Author(s):  
N. D. TSVETKOVA ◽  
◽  
P. N. VARGIN ◽  
A. N. LUK'YANOV ◽  
B. M. KIRYUSHOV ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Vertical Distribution ◽  
Ozone Depletion ◽  
Polar Vortex ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Dynamic Processes ◽  
Stratospheric Polar Vortex ◽  
Ozone Loss ◽  
The Vertical Distribution

The estimates of chemical ozone depletion in winter-spring seasons are given for the Arctic stratosphere based on long-term observations of the vertical distribution of ozone. The features and possible causes for an unusually strong and stable stratospheric polar vortex in the Arctic in the winter 2019/2020, that led to a record ozone loss in recent years, and the dynamic processes associated with this polar vortex are analyzed. The TRACAO trajectory model and ERA5 reanalysis are used for the comparative analysis of ozone depletion in the polar vortex in the winter-spring seasons 2010/2011 and 2019/2020.

Does the Arctic Stratospheric Polar Vortex Exhibit Signs of Preconditioning Prior to Sudden Stratospheric Warmings?

2020 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 611-632 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zachary D. Lawrence ◽  
Gloria L. Manney
Keyword(s):  
Dynamic Time Warping ◽  
Lead Time ◽  
Polar Vortex ◽  
Reanalysis Data ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Time Warping ◽  
Stratospheric Polar Vortex ◽  
Clustering Technique ◽  
Wind Speeds ◽  
Dynamic Time

Abstract Characteristics of the Arctic stratospheric polar vortex are examined using reanalysis data with dynamic time warping (DTW) and a clustering technique to determine whether the polar vortex exhibits canonical signs of preconditioning prior to sudden stratospheric warmings (SSWs). The DTW and clustering technique is used to locate time series motifs in vortex area, vortex edge-averaged PV gradients, and vortex edge-averaged wind speeds. Composites of the motifs reveal that prior to roughly 75% of SSWs, in the middle to upper stratosphere, PV gradients and wind speeds in the vortex edge region increase, and vortex area decreases. These signs agree with prior studies that discuss potential signals of preconditioning of the vortex. However, similar motifs are also found in a majority of years without SSWs. While such non-SSW motifs are strongly associated with minor warming signals apparent only in the middle and upper stratosphere, only roughly half of these can be associated with later “significant disturbances” (SDs) that do not quite meet the threshold for major SSWs. The median lead time for sharpening vortex edge PV gradients represented in the motifs prior to SSWs and SDs is ~25 days, while the median lead time for the vortex area and edge wind speeds is ~10 days. Overall, canonical signs of preconditioning do appear to exist prior to SSWs, but their existence in years without SSWs implies that preconditioning of the vortex may be an insufficient condition for the occurrence of SSWs.

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

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (7) ◽  
pp. 3247-3276 ◽  
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.

Record springtime stratospheric ozone depletion at 80°N in 2020

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

<p>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°N, 86.42°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 NO<sub>2</sub> during spring, as well as enhanced reactive halogen species (OClO and BrO). Complementary measurements of HCl and ClONO<sub>2</sub> (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 HNO<sub>3</sub> 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.</p>

scholarly journals Nonstationarity in Southern Hemisphere Climate Variability Associated with the Seasonal Breakdown of the Stratospheric Polar Vortex

2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (18) ◽  
pp. 7125-7139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas J. Byrne ◽  
Theodore G. Shepherd ◽  
Tim Woollings ◽  
R. Alan Plumb
Keyword(s):  
Climate Variability ◽  
Southern Hemisphere ◽  
Seasonal Cycle ◽  
Vortex Breakdown ◽  
Polar Vortex ◽  
Reanalysis Data ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Stratospheric Polar Vortex ◽  
Time Symmetry

Abstract Statistical models of climate generally regard climate variability as anomalies about a climatological seasonal cycle, which are treated as a stationary stochastic process plus a long-term seasonally dependent trend. However, the climate system has deterministic aspects apart from the climatological seasonal cycle and long-term trends, and the assumption of stationary statistics is only an approximation. The variability of the Southern Hemisphere zonal-mean circulation in the period encompassing late spring and summer is an important climate phenomenon and has been the subject of numerous studies. It is shown here, using reanalysis data, that this variability is rendered highly nonstationary by the organizing influence of the seasonal breakdown of the stratospheric polar vortex, which breaks time symmetry. It is argued that the zonal-mean tropospheric circulation variability during this period is best viewed as interannual variability in the transition between the springtime and summertime regimes induced by variability in the vortex breakdown. In particular, the apparent long-term poleward jet shift during the early-summer season can be more simply understood as a delay in the equatorward shift associated with this regime transition. The implications of such a perspective for various open questions are discussed.

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