scholarly journals Exceptional loss in ozone in the Arctic winter/spring of 2019/2020

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (18) ◽  
pp. 14019-14037
Author(s):  
Jayanarayanan Kuttippurath ◽  
Wuhu Feng ◽  
Rolf Müller ◽  
Pankaj Kumar ◽  
Sarath Raj ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Ultraviolet Radiation ◽  
Extreme Events ◽  
Atmospheric Dynamics ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Large Loss ◽  
Ozone Loss ◽  
The Antarctic ◽  
First Time

Abstract. Severe vortex-wide ozone loss in the Arctic would expose both ecosystems and several millions of people to unhealthy ultraviolet radiation. Adding to these worries, and extreme events as the harbingers of climate change, exceptionally low ozone with column values below 220 DU occurred over the Arctic in March and April 2020. Sporadic occurrences of low ozone with less than 220 DU at different regions of the vortex for almost 3 weeks were found for the first time in the observed history in the Arctic. Furthermore, a large ozone loss of about 2.0–3.4 ppmv triggered by an unprecedented chlorine activation (1.5–2.2 ppbv) matching the levels occurring in the Antarctic was also observed. The polar processing situation led to the first-ever appearance of loss saturation in the Arctic. Apart from these, there were also ozone-mini holes in December 2019 and January 2020 driven by atmospheric dynamics. The large loss in ozone in the colder Arctic winters is intriguing and demands rigorous monitoring of the region.

scholarly journals Why unprecedented ozone loss in the Arctic in 2011? Is it related to climate change?

2013 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 5299-5308 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.-P. Pommereau ◽  
F. Goutail ◽  
F. Lefèvre ◽  
A. Pazmino ◽  
C. Adams ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Total Ozone ◽  
Loss Rate ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Vortex Strength ◽  
High Loss ◽  
Ozone Loss ◽  
The Antarctic ◽  
High Loss Rate ◽  
Daily Total

Abstract. An unprecedented ozone loss occurred in the Arctic in spring 2011. The details of the event are revisited from the twice-daily total ozone and NO2 column measurements of the eight SAOZ/NDACC (Système d'Analyse par Observation Zénithale/Network for Detection of Atmospheric Composition Changes) stations in the Arctic. It is shown that the total ozone depletion in the polar vortex reached 38% (approx. 170 DU) by the end of March, which is larger than the 30% of the previous record in 1996. Aside from the long extension of the cold stratospheric NAT PSC period, the amplitude of the event is shown to be resulting from a record daily total ozone loss rate of 0.7% d−1 after mid-February, never seen before in the Arctic but similar to that observed in the Antarctic over the last 20 yr. This high loss rate is attributed to the absence of NOx in the vortex until the final warming, in contrast to all previous winters where, as shown by the early increase of NO2 diurnal increase, partial renoxification occurs by import of NOx or HNO3 from the outside after minor warming episodes, leading to partial chlorine deactivation. The cause of the absence of renoxification and thus of high loss rate, is attributed to a vortex strength similar to that of the Antarctic but never seen before in the Arctic. The total ozone reduction on 20 March was identical to that of the 2002 Antarctic winter, which ended around 20 September, and a 15-day extension of the cold period would have been enough to reach the mean yearly amplitude of the Antarctic ozone hole. However there is no sign of trend since 1994, either in PSC (polar stratospheric cloud) volume (volume of air cold enough to allow formation of PSCs), early winter denitrification, late vortex renoxification, and vortex strength or in total ozone loss. The unprecedented large Arctic ozone loss in 2011 appears to result from an extreme meteorological event and there is no indication of possible strengthening related to climate change.

scholarly journals Record-breaking ozone loss in the Arctic winter 2010/2011: comparison with 1996/1997

2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (15) ◽  
pp. 7073-7085 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Kuttippurath ◽  
S. Godin-Beekmann ◽  
F. Lefèvre ◽  
G. Nikulin ◽  
M. L. Santee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transport Model ◽  
Chemical Transport ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Altitude Range ◽  
Chemical Transport Model ◽  
Model Simulations ◽  
Ozone Loss ◽  
Elevated Ozone ◽  
Record Value ◽  
First Time

Abstract. We present a detailed discussion of the chemical and dynamical processes in the Arctic winters 1996/1997 and 2010/2011 with high resolution chemical transport model (CTM) simulations and space-based observations. In the Arctic winter 2010/2011, the lower stratospheric minimum temperatures were below 195 K for a record period of time, from December to mid-April, and a strong and stable vortex was present during that period. Simulations with the Mimosa-Chim CTM show that the chemical ozone loss started in early January and progressed slowly to 1 ppmv (parts per million by volume) by late February. The loss intensified by early March and reached a record maximum of ~2.4 ppmv in the late March–early April period over a broad altitude range of 450–550 K. This coincides with elevated ozone loss rates of 2–4 ppbv sh−1 (parts per billion by volume/sunlit hour) and a contribution of about 30–55% and 30–35% from the ClO-ClO and ClO-BrO cycles, respectively, in late February and March. In addition, a contribution of 30–50% from the HOx cycle is also estimated in April. We also estimate a loss of about 0.7–1.2 ppmv contributed (75%) by the NOx cycle at 550–700 K. The ozone loss estimated in the partial column range of 350–550 K exhibits a record value of ~148 DU (Dobson Unit). This is the largest ozone loss ever estimated in the Arctic and is consistent with the remarkable chlorine activation and strong denitrification (40–50%) during the winter, as the modeled ClO shows ~1.8 ppbv in early January and ~1 ppbv in March at 450–550 K. These model results are in excellent agreement with those found from the Aura Microwave Limb Sounder observations. Our analyses also show that the ozone loss in 2010/2011 is close to that found in some Antarctic winters, for the first time in the observed history. Though the winter 1996/1997 was also very cold in March–April, the temperatures were higher in December–February, and, therefore, chlorine activation was moderate and ozone loss was average with about 1.2 ppmv at 475–550 K or 42 DU at 350–550 K, as diagnosed from the model simulations and measurements.

scholarly journals Brief communication: ikaite (CaCO<sub>3</sub>*6H<sub>2</sub>O) discovered in Arctic sea ice

2010 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 153-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. S. Dieckmann ◽  
G. Nehrke ◽  
C. Uhlig ◽  
J. Göttlicher ◽  
S. Gerland ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Calcium Carbonate ◽  
Carbon Cycle ◽  
Sea Ice ◽  
Arctic Sea Ice ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Arctic Sea ◽  
The Future ◽  
The Antarctic ◽  
First Time

Abstract. We report for the first time on the discovery of calcium carbonate crystals as ikaite (CaCO3*6H2O) in sea ice from the Arctic (Kongsfjorden, Svalbard). This finding demonstrates that the precipitation of calcium carbonate during the freezing of sea ice is not restricted to the Antarctic, where it was observed for the first time in 2008. This finding is an important step in the quest to quantify its impact on the sea ice driven carbon cycle and should in the future enable improvement parametrization sea ice carbon models.

Temperature in the Arctic and the Antarctic

2019 ◽  
pp. 416-427
Author(s):  
Valentin Sapunov
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Global Warming ◽  
Modern Science ◽  
Global Temperature ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
Average Global Temperature ◽  
Temperature Dynamics ◽  
The One ◽  
The Antarctic

This chapter aims at the consideration of world temperature dynamics and its prediction in the polar regions of the planet. The global warming started in the 17th century and has been progressing since then. The decline in average global temperature began in 1997. There exist various factors which affect the process, the abiotic ones being among the major in controlling the climate. The climate is also dependent on the interaction between abiotic, biotic, and social spheres. This system seems rather stable and not very much dependent on human activity. The effects of contemporary cooling are not expected to be significant for the mankind but are definitely important for the polar regions. In the Arctic, the temperature is increasing. The one in the Antarctic declines. The average global temperature thus becomes variable. Modern science is able to predict climate change, but extensive studies free of political and economic pressure have to be conducted.

4. Polar marine biology

2020 ◽  
pp. 71-86
Author(s):  
Philip V. Mladenov
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Food Webs ◽  
Marine Biology ◽  
Extreme Environments ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
Light Levels ◽  
The Arctic Ocean ◽  
The Antarctic ◽  
The Impact

Flourishing marine biological systems are present in the extreme environments of the Arctic and Antarctic polar regions of the planet. Both these regions are characterized by constantly cold sea temperatures, ice-covered oceans, and extreme seasonal fluctuations in light levels, but ‘Polar marine biology’ explains how they have evolved strikingly different and unique marine ecosystems. The Arctic Ocean is largely landlocked while the Southern Ocean surrounds the Antarctic continental land mass and is in open contact with the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific oceans. The impact of human-induced climate change is also discussed, which will affect the Arctic and Antarctic food webs in profound ways.

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

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 577-601 ◽  
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.

scholarly journals Past and future conditions for polar stratospheric cloud formation simulated by the Canadian Middle Atmosphere Model

2009 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 483-495 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Hitchcock ◽  
T. G. Shepherd ◽  
C. McLandress
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Low Temperature ◽  
Ozone Depletion ◽  
Lower Stratosphere ◽  
Middle Atmosphere ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Temperature Extremes ◽  
Polar Stratospheric Cloud ◽  
Atmosphere Model ◽  
The Antarctic

Abstract. We analyze here the polar stratospheric temperatures in an ensemble of three 150-year integrations of the Canadian Middle Atmosphere Model (CMAM), an interactive chemistry-climate model which simulates ozone depletion and recovery, as well as climate change. A key motivation is to understand possible mechanisms for the observed trend in the extent of conditions favourable for polar stratospheric cloud (PSC) formation in the Arctic winter lower stratosphere. We find that in the Antarctic winter lower stratosphere, the low temperature extremes required for PSC formation increase in the model as ozone is depleted, but remain steady through the twenty-first century as the warming from ozone recovery roughly balances the cooling from climate change. Thus, ozone depletion itself plays a major role in the Antarctic trends in low temperature extremes. The model trend in low temperature extremes in the Arctic through the latter half of the twentieth century is weaker and less statistically robust than the observed trend. It is not projected to continue into the future. Ozone depletion in the Arctic is weaker in the CMAM than in observations, which may account for the weak past trend in low temperature extremes. In the future, radiative cooling in the Arctic winter due to climate change is more than compensated by an increase in dynamically driven downwelling over the pole.

scholarly journals Chemical ozone loss in Arctic and Antarctic polar winter/spring season derived from SCIAMACHY limb measurements 2002–2009

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 6555-6599 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Sonkaew ◽  
C. von Savigny ◽  
K.-U. Eichmann ◽  
M. Weber ◽  
A. Rozanov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Loss ◽  
Total Ozone ◽  
Stratospheric Ozone ◽  
Polar Vortex ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Absorption Bands ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Ozone Loss ◽  
The Difference ◽  
The Antarctic

Abstract. Stratospheric ozone profiles are retrieved for the period 2002–2009 from SCIAMACHY measurements of limb-scattered solar radiation in the Hartley and Chappuis absorption bands of ozone. This data set is used to determine the chemical ozone loss in both the Arctic and Antarctic polar vortices using the vortex average method. The chemical ozone loss at isentropic levels between 450 K and 600 K is derived from the difference between observed ozone abundances and the ozone modelled considering diabatic cooling, but no chemical ozone loss. The results show chemical ozone losses of up to 20–40% between the beginning of January and the end of March inside the Arctic polar vortex. Strong inter-annual variability of the Arctic ozone loss is observed, with the cold winters 2004/2005 and 2006/2007 showing the largest chemical ozone losses. The ozone mass loss inside the polar vortex is also estimated. In the coldest Arctic winter 2004/2005 the total ozone mass loss is about 30 million tons inside the polar vortex between the 450 K and 600 K isentropic levels from the beginning of January until the end of March. The Antarctic vortex averaged ozone loss as well as the size of the polar vortex do not vary much from year to year. At the 475 K isentropic level ozone losses of 70–80% between mid-August and mid-November are observed every year inside the vortex, also in the anomalous year 2002. The total ozone mass loss inside the Antarctic polar vortex between the 450 K and 600 K isentropic levels is about 55–75 million tons for the period between mid-August and mid-November. Comparisons of the vertical variation of ozone loss derived from SCIAMACHY observations with several independent techniques for the Arctic winter 2004/2005 show very good agreement.

scholarly journals Record-breaking ozone loss in the Arctic winter 2010/2011: comparison with 1996/1997

2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 6877-6908
Author(s):  
J. Kuttippurath ◽  
S. Godin-Beekmann ◽  
F. Lefèvre ◽  
G. Nikulin ◽  
M. L. Santee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transport Model ◽  
Chemical Transport ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Altitude Range ◽  
Chemical Transport Model ◽  
Model Simulations ◽  
Ozone Loss ◽  
Elevated Ozone ◽  
Record Value ◽  
First Time

Abstract. We present a detailed discussion of the chemical and dynamical processes in the Arctic winters 1996/1997 and 2010/2011 with high resolution chemical transport model (CTM) simulations and space-based observations. In the Arctic winter 2010/2011, the lower stratospheric minimum temperatures were below 195 K for a record period, from December to mid-April, and a strong and stable vortex was present during that period. Analyses with the Mimosa-Chim CTM simulations show that the chemical ozone loss started by early January and progressed slowly to 1 ppmv (parts per million by volume) by late February. The loss intensified by early March and reached a record maximum of ~2.4 ppmv in the late March–early April period over a broad altitude range of 450–550 K. This coincides with elevated ozone loss rates of 2–4 ppbv sh−1 (parts per billion by volume/sunlit hour) and a contribution of about 40% from the ClO–ClO cycle and about 35–40% from the ClO-BrO cycle in late February and March, and about 30–50% from the HOx cycle in April. We also estimate a loss of around 0.7–1.2 ppmv contributed (75%) by the NOx cycle at 550–700 K. The ozone loss estimated in the partial column range of 350–550 K also exhibits a record value of ~148 DU (Dobson Unit). This is the largest ozone loss ever estimated in the Arctic and is consistent with the remarkable chlorine activation and strong denitrification (40–50%) during the winter, as the modeled ClO shows ~1.8 ppbv in early January and ~1 ppbv in March at 450–550 K. These model results are in excellent agreement with those found from the Aura Microwave Limb Sounder observations. Our analyses also show that the ozone loss in 2010/2011 is close to that found in some Antarctic winters, for the first time in the observed history. Though the winter 1996/1997 was also very cold in March–April, the temperatures were higher in December–February, and, therefore, chlorine activation was moderate and ozone loss was average with about 1.2 ppmv at 475–550 K or 42 DU at 350–550 K, as diagnosed from the model simulations and measurements.

scholarly journals Reconciliation of essential process parameters for an enhanced predictability of Arctic stratospheric ozone loss and its climate interactions

2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 30661-30754 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. von Hobe ◽  
S. Bekki ◽  
S. Borrmann ◽  
F. Cairo ◽  
F. D'Amato ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Ozone Depletion ◽  
Stratospheric Ozone ◽  
Polar Vortex ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Synoptic Scale ◽  
Ice Clouds ◽  
Ozone Loss ◽  
Process Studies ◽  
Polar Ozone

Abstract. Significant reductions in stratospheric ozone occur inside the polar vortices each spring when chlorine radicals produced by heterogeneous reactions on cold particle surfaces in winter destroy ozone mainly in two catalytic cycles, the ClO dimer cycle and the ClO/BrO cycle. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which are responsible for most of the chlorine currently present in the stratosphere, have been banned by the Montreal Protocol and its amendments, and the ozone layer is predicted to recover to 1980 levels within the next few decades. During the same period, however, climate change is expected to alter the temperature, circulation patterns and chemical composition in the stratosphere, and possible geo-engineering ventures to mitigate climate change may lead to additional changes. To realistically predict the response of the ozone layer to such influences requires the correct representation of all relevant processes. The European project RECONCILE has comprehensively addressed remaining questions in the context of polar ozone depletion, with the objective to quantify the rates of some of the most relevant, yet still uncertain physical and chemical processes. To this end RECONCILE used a broad approach of laboratory experiments, two field missions in the Arctic winter 2009/10 employing the high altitude research aircraft M55-Geophysica and an extensive match ozone sonde campaign, as well as microphysical and chemical transport modelling and data assimilation. Some of the main outcomes of RECONCILE are as follows: (1) vortex meteorology: the 2009/10 Arctic winter was unusually cold at stratospheric levels during the six-week period from mid-December 2009 until the end of January 2010, with reduced transport and mixing across the polar vortex edge; polar vortex stability and how it is influenced by dynamic processes in the troposphere has led to unprecedented, synoptic-scale stratospheric regions with temperatures below the frost point; in these regions stratospheric ice clouds have been observed, extending over >106km2 during more than 3 weeks. (2) Particle microphysics: heterogeneous nucleation of nitric acid trihydrate (NAT) particles in the absence of ice has been unambiguously demonstrated; conversely, the synoptic scale ice clouds also appear to nucleate heterogeneously; a variety of possible heterogeneous nuclei has been characterised by chemical analysis of the non-volatile fraction of the background aerosol; substantial formation of solid particles and denitrification via their sedimentation has been observed and model parameterizations have been improved. (3) Chemistry: strong evidence has been found for significant chlorine activation not only on polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) but also on cold binary aerosol; laboratory experiments and field data on the ClOOCl photolysis rate and other kinetic parameters have been shown to be consistent with an adequate degree of certainty; no evidence has been found that would support the existence of yet unknown chemical mechanisms making a significant contribution to polar ozone loss. (4) Global modelling: results from process studies have been implemented in a prognostic chemistry climate model (CCM); simulations with improved parameterisations of processes relevant for polar ozone depletion are evaluated against satellite data and other long term records using data assimilation and detrended fluctuation analysis. Finally, measurements and process studies within RECONCILE were also applied to the winter 2010/11, when special meteorological conditions led to the highest chemical ozone loss ever observed in the Arctic. In addition to quantifying the 2010/11 ozone loss and to understand its causes including possible connections to climate change, its impacts were addressed, such as changes in surface ultraviolet (UV) radiation in the densely populated northern mid-latitudes.

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