scholarly journals The influence of polar vortex ozone depletion on NH mid-latitude ozone trends in spring

2006 ◽  
Vol 6 (10) ◽  
pp. 2837-2845 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. B. Andersen ◽  
B. M. Knudsen
Keyword(s):  
Lower Limit ◽  
Ozone Depletion ◽  
Total Ozone ◽  
Polar Vortex ◽  
Major Fraction ◽  
Total Ozone Column ◽  
Trajectory Calculations ◽  
Ozone Trends ◽  
Decadal Variations ◽  
Ozone Column

Abstract. Reverse domain-filling trajectory calculations have been performed for the years 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, and 2000 to calculate the spreading of ozone depleted air from the polar vortex to midlatitudes in spring. We find that for these years with massive Arctic ozone depletion the zonal mean total ozone column at midlatitudes is reduced with between 7 and 12 DU in the April-May period. The polar vortex and remnants have preferred locations which leads to longitudinal differences in the midlatitude ozone trends. Together with decadal variations in circulation the dilution of ozone depleted air may explain the major fraction of longitudinal differences in midlatitude ozone trends. For the period 1979–1997 the dilution may explain 50% of the longitudinal differences in ozone trends and for the period 1979–2002 it may explain 45%. The dilution also has a significant impact on the zonal mean ozone trends in the April-May period. Although uncertainties are large due to uncertainties in the ozone depletion values and neglect of ozone depletion in other years than 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, and 2000 we have tried to calculate the size of this effect. We estimate that dilution may explain 29% of the trend in the period 1979–1997 and 33% of the trend in the period 1979–2002 as a lower limit.

scholarly journals The influence of polar vortex ozone depletion on NH mid-latitude ozone trends in spring

2006 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 1793-1811
Author(s):  
S. B. Andersen ◽  
B. M. Knudsen
Keyword(s):  
Linear Regression ◽  
Ozone Depletion ◽  
Total Ozone ◽  
Polar Vortex ◽  
Multiple Linear Regression Model ◽  
Major Fraction ◽  
Trajectory Calculations ◽  
Ozone Trends ◽  
Decadal Variations ◽  
Ozone Column

Abstract. Reverse domain-filling trajectory calculations have been performed for the years 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, and 2000 to calculate the spreading of ozone depleted air from the polar vortex to midlatitudes in spring. We find that for these years with massive Arctic ozone depletion the zonal mean total ozone column at midlatitudes is reduced with between 7 and 12 DU in the April-May period. The polar vortex and remnants have preferred locations which leads to longitudinal differences in the midlatitude ozone trends. Together with decadal variations in circulation the dilution of ozone depleted air may explain the major fraction of longitudinal differences in midlatitude ozone trends. The dilution also has a significant impact on the zonal mean ozone trends. With a multiple linear regression model we find that the dilution may explain 39% of the trend in the period 1979–1997 and 54% of the trend in the period 1979–2002. By calculting the effect of simply removing the dilutions we get the possibly more reliable estimates that that dilution may explain 29% of the trend in the period 1979–1997 and 33% of the trend in the period 1979–2002.

scholarly journals GUV long-term measurements of total ozone column and effective cloud transmittance at three Norwegian sites

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (10) ◽  
pp. 7881-7899
Author(s):  
Tove M. Svendby ◽  
Bjørn Johnsen ◽  
Arve Kylling ◽  
Arne Dahlback ◽  
Germar H. Bernhard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ozone Depletion ◽  
Total Ozone ◽  
Monitoring Network ◽  
High Time Resolution ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Total Ozone Column ◽  
Ice Melt ◽  
Arctic Ice ◽  
Ozone Column

Abstract. Measurements of total ozone column and effective cloud transmittance have been performed since 1995 at the three Norwegian sites Oslo/Kjeller, Andøya/Tromsø, and in Ny-Ålesund (Svalbard). These sites are a subset of nine stations included in the Norwegian UV monitoring network, which uses ground-based ultraviolet (GUV) multi-filter instruments and is operated by the Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (DSA) and the Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU). The network includes unique data sets of high-time-resolution measurements that can be used for a broad range of atmospheric and biological exposure studies. Comparison of the 25-year records of GUV (global sky) total ozone measurements with Brewer direct sun (DS) measurements shows that the GUV instruments provide valuable supplements to the more standardized ground-based instruments. The GUV instruments can fill in missing data and extend the measuring season at sites with reduced staff and/or characterized by harsh environmental conditions, such as Ny-Ålesund. Also, a harmonized GUV can easily be moved to more remote/unmanned locations and provide independent total ozone column data sets. The GUV instrument in Ny-Ålesund captured well the exceptionally large Arctic ozone depletion in March/April 2020, whereas the GUV instrument in Oslo recorded a mini ozone hole in December 2019 with total ozone values below 200 DU. For all the three Norwegian stations there is a slight increase in total ozone from 1995 until today. Measurements of GUV effective cloud transmittance in Ny-Ålesund indicate that there has been a significant change in albedo during the past 25 years, most likely resulting from increased temperatures and Arctic ice melt in the area surrounding Svalbard.

scholarly journals Record low ozone values over the Arctic in boreal spring 2020

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 617-633
Author(s):  
Martin Dameris ◽  
Diego G. Loyola ◽  
Matthias Nützel ◽  
Melanie Coldewey-Egbers ◽  
Christophe Lerot ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Northern Hemisphere ◽  
Total Ozone ◽  
Stratospheric Ozone ◽  
Polar Vortex ◽  
Ozone Hole ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Atmospheric Conditions ◽  
Total Ozone Column ◽  
The Antarctic ◽  
Ozone Column

Abstract. Ozone data derived from the Tropospheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) sensor on board the Sentinel-5 Precursor satellite show exceptionally low total ozone columns in the polar region of the Northern Hemisphere (Arctic) in spring 2020. Minimum total ozone column values around or below 220 Dobson units (DU) were seen over the Arctic for 5 weeks in March and early April 2020. Usually the persistence of such low total ozone column values in spring is only observed in the polar Southern Hemisphere (Antarctic) and not over the Arctic. These record low total ozone columns were caused by a particularly strong polar vortex in the stratosphere with a persistent cold stratosphere at higher latitudes, a prerequisite for ozone depletion through heterogeneous chemistry. Based on the ERA5, which is the fifth generation of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) atmospheric reanalysis, the Northern Hemisphere winter 2019/2020 (from December to March) showed minimum polar cap temperatures consistently below 195 K around 20 km altitude, which enabled enhanced formation of polar stratospheric clouds. The special situation in spring 2020 is compared and discussed in context with two other Northern Hemisphere spring seasons, namely those in 1997 and 2011, which also displayed relatively low total ozone column values. However, during these years, total ozone columns below 220 DU over several consecutive days were not observed in spring. The similarities and differences of the atmospheric conditions of these three events and possible explanations for the observed features are presented and discussed. It becomes apparent that the monthly mean of the minimum total ozone column value for March 2020 (221 DU) was clearly below the respective values found in March 1997 (267 DU) and 2011 (252 DU), which highlights the special evolution of the polar stratospheric ozone layer in the Northern Hemisphere in spring 2020. A comparison with a typical ozone hole over the Antarctic (e.g., in 2016) indicates that although the Arctic spring 2020 situation is remarkable, with total ozone column values around or below 220 DU observed over a considerable area (up to 0.9 million km2), the Antarctic ozone hole shows total ozone columns typically below 150 DU over a much larger area (of the order of 20 million km2). Furthermore, total ozone columns below 220 DU are typically observed over the Antarctic for about 4 months.

scholarly journals The January 2006 low ozone event over the UK

2006 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 8457-8483 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Keil ◽  
D. R. Jackson ◽  
M. C. Hort
Keyword(s):  
Total Ozone ◽  
Stratospheric Ozone ◽  
Polar Vortex ◽  
British Isles ◽  
Stratospheric Polar Vortex ◽  
North West ◽  
Total Ozone Column ◽  
Mixing Ratios ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Ozone Column

Abstract. A record low total ozone column of 177 DU was observed at Reading, UK, on 19 January 2006. Low ozone values were also recorded at other stations in the British Isles and North West Europe on, and around, this date. Hemispheric maps of total ozone from the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) Ozone Mapping Centre also show the evolution of this ozone minimum from 15–20 January 2006 over North West Europe. Ozonesonde measurements made at Lerwick, UK, show that ozone mixing ratios in the mid-stratosphere on 18 January are around 1–2 ppmv lower than both climatology and observations made one and two weeks prior to this date. In addition, ozone mixing ratios in the UTLS region were also noticeably reduced on 18 January. Analysis of the ozonesonde observations indicate that the mid-stratosphere ozone accounts for around a third of the reduction in total ozone column measurements while the UTLS ozone values account for two thirds of the depletion. It is evident from the ozonesonde data that ozone loss is occuring at two distinct vertical regions. Met Office analyses indicate that stratospheric polar vortex temperatures were cold enough for Polar Stratospheric Cloud (PSC) formation during 14 days in January prior to the low ozone event on 19 January. The presence of PSCs is confirmed by observations from the Scanning Imaging Absorption spectroMeter for Atmospheric CartograpHY (SCIAMACHY). As a consequence of a stratospheric sudden warming that was in progress during January 2006, the polar vortex was shifted southwards over northwest Europe. This includes a period from 16 to 19 January where PSCs were present in the vortex over the UK. Throughout most of January suitable conditions were present for ozone destruction by heterogenous chemistry within the polar vortex. Evidence from Lerwick and Sodankylä ozonesonde profiles, and maps of Ertel's potential vorticity calculated from Met Office analyses, strongly suggests that the air inside the stratospheric vortex was poor in ozone for at least one week prior to 18 January. It is also possible that local chemical destruction of stratospheric ozone further contributed to the record low ozone observed at Reading. A closer examination of the WMO total ozone maps shows that the daily minima are often of synoptic, rather than planetary, scale. This therefore suggests a tropospheric, rather than stratospheric, mechanism for the ozone minima. Moderate total ozone depletion is commonly observed in the northern hemisphere middle and high latitude winter. This depletion is related to the lifting of the tropopause associated with the presence of an upper troposphere/lower stratosphere anticyclone. We show a strong link between the ozone minima in the WMO maps and 100 hPa geopotential height from Met Office analyses, and therefore it appears that this may also be a plausible mechanism for the record low ozone column that is observed. Back trajectories calculated by the Met Office NAME III model show that air parcels in the mid-stratosphere do arrive over the British Isles on 19 January via the polar vortex. The NAME III model results also show that air parcels near the tropopause arrive from low latitudes and are transported anticyclonically. Therefore this strongly suggests that the record low ozone values are due to a combination of a raised tropopause and the presence of low ozone stratospheric air aloft.

scholarly journals Influence of the Change in Total Ozone Column (TOC) on the Occurrence of Tropospheric Ozone Depletion Events (ODEs) in the Antarctic

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Le Cao ◽  
Linjie Fan ◽  
Simeng Li ◽  
Shuangyan Yang
Keyword(s):  
Observational Data ◽  
Ozone Depletion ◽  
Tropospheric Ozone ◽  
Total Ozone ◽  
Numerical Models ◽  
Total Ozone Column ◽  
Speed Up ◽  
The Antarctic ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Ozone Column

Abstract. The occurrence of the tropospheric ozone depletion events (ODEs) in the Antarctic can be influenced by the change in Total Ozone Column (TOC). In this study, we combined the observational data obtained from ground observation stations with two numerical models (TUV and KINAL), to figure out the relationship between the TOC change and the occurrence of ODEs in the Antarctic. A sensitivity analysis was also performed on the change in ozone and major bromine species (BrO, HOBr and HBr) to find out key photolysis reactions determining the impact on the occurrence of tropospheric ODEs brought by the change in TOC. From the analysis of the observational data and the numerical results, we suggested that the occurrence frequency of ODEs in the Antarctic seems negatively correlated with the variation of TOC. Moreover, major ODE accelerating reactions (i.e. photolysis of ozone, H2O2 and HCHO) and decelerating reactions (i.e. photolysis of BrO and HOBr), which heavily control the start of ODEs, were also identified. It was found that when TOC varies, the major ODE accelerating reactions speed up significantly, while major ODE decelerating reactions are only slightly affected, thus leading to the negative dependence of the ODE occurrence on the change in TOC.

scholarly journals Solar UV radiation measurements in Marambio, Antarctica, during years 2017–2019

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (10) ◽  
pp. 6037-6054
Author(s):  
Margit Aun ◽  
Kaisa Lakkala ◽  
Ricardo Sanchez ◽  
Eija Asmi ◽  
Fernando Nollas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Uv Radiation ◽  
Total Ozone ◽  
Cloud Cover ◽  
Stratospheric Ozone ◽  
Polar Vortex ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Finnish Meteorological Institute ◽  
Total Ozone Column ◽  
Uv Irradiance ◽  
Ozone Column

Abstract. In March 2017, measurements of downward global irradiance of ultraviolet (UV) radiation were started with a multichannel GUV-2511 radiometer in Marambio, Antarctica (64.23∘ S; 56.62∘ W), by the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) in collaboration with the Servicio Meteorológico Nacional (SMN). These measurements were analysed and the results were compared to previous measurements performed at the same site with the radiometer of the Antarctic NILU-UV network during 2000–2008 and to data from five stations across Antarctica. In 2017/2018 the monthly-average erythemal daily doses from October to January were lower than those averaged over 2000–2008 with differences from 2.3 % to 25.5 %. In 2017/2018 the average daily erythemal dose from September to March was 1.88 kJ m−2, while in 2018/2019 it was 23 % larger (2.37 kJ m−2). Also at several other stations in Antarctica the UV radiation levels in 2017/2018 were below average. The maximum UV indices (UVI) in Marambio were 6.2 and 9.5 in 2017/2018 and 2018/2019, respectively, whereas during years 2000–2008 the maximum was 12. Cloud cover, the strength of the polar vortex and the stratospheric ozone depletion are the primary factors that influence the surface UV radiation levels in Marambio. The lower UV irradiance values in 2017/2018 are explained by the high ozone concentrations in November, February and for a large part of October. The role of cloud cover was clearly seen in December, and to a lesser extent in October and November, when cloud cover qualitatively explains changes which could not be ascribed to changes in total ozone column (TOC). In this study, the roles of aerosols and albedo are of minor influence because the variation of these factors in Marambio was small from one year to the other. The largest variations of UV irradiance occur during spring and early summer when noon solar zenith angle (SZA) is low and the stratospheric ozone concentration is at a minimum (the so-called ozone hole). In 2017/2018, coincident low total ozone column and low cloudiness near solar noon did not occur, and no extreme UV indices were measured.

scholarly journals Multiple symptoms of total ozone recovery inside the Antarctic vortex during austral spring

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (10) ◽  
pp. 7557-7572 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Pazmiño ◽  
Sophie Godin-Beekmann ◽  
Alain Hauchecorne ◽  
Chantal Claud ◽  
Sergey Khaykin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Potential Vorticity ◽  
Ozone Depletion ◽  
Total Ozone ◽  
Linear Functions ◽  
Multilinear Regression ◽  
Quasi Biennial Oscillation ◽  
Total Ozone Column ◽  
The Antarctic ◽  
Ozone Column ◽  
Mlr Model

Abstract. The long-term evolution of total ozone column inside the Antarctic polar vortex is investigated over the 1980–2017 period. Trend analyses are performed using a multilinear regression (MLR) model based on various proxies for the evaluation of ozone interannual variability (heat flux, quasi-biennial oscillation, solar flux, Antarctic oscillation and aerosols). Annual total ozone column measurements corresponding to the mean monthly values inside the vortex in September and during the period of maximum ozone depletion from 15 September to 15 October are used. Total ozone columns from the Multi-Sensor Reanalysis version 2 (MSR-2) dataset and from a combined record based on TOMS and OMI satellite datasets with gaps filled by MSR-2 (1993–1995) are considered in the study. Ozone trends are computed by a piece-wise trend (PWT) proxy that includes two linear functions before and after the turnaround year in 2001 and a parabolic function to account for the saturation of the polar ozone destruction. In order to evaluate average total ozone within the vortex, two classification methods are used, based on the potential vorticity gradient as a function of equivalent latitude. The first standard one considers this gradient at a single isentropic level (475 or 550 K), while the second one uses a range of isentropic levels between 400 and 600 K. The regression model includes a new proxy (GRAD) linked to the gradient of potential vorticity as a function of equivalent latitude and representing the stability of the vortex during the studied month. The determination coefficient (R2) between observations and modelled values increases by ∼ 0.05 when this proxy is included in the MLR model. Highest R2 (0.92–0.95) and minimum residuals are obtained for the second classification method for both datasets and months. Trends in September over the 2001–2017 period are statistically significant at 2σ level with values ranging between 1.84 ± 1.03 and 2.83 ± 1.48 DU yr−1 depending on the methods and considered proxies. This result confirms the recent studies of Antarctic ozone healing during that month. Trends from 2001 are 2 to 3 times smaller than before the turnaround year, as expected from the response to the slowly ozone-depleting substances decrease in polar regions. For the first time, significant trends are found for the period of maximum ozone depletion. Estimated trends from 2001 for the 15 September–15 October period over 2001–2017 vary from 1.21 ± 0.83 to 1.96 DU ± 0.99 yr−1 and are significant at 2σ level. MLR analysis is also applied to the ozone mass deficit (OMD) metric for both periods, considering a threshold at 220 DU and total ozone columns south of 60∘ S. Significant trend values are observed for all cases and periods. A decrease of OMD of 0.86 ± 0.36 and 0.65 ± 0.33 Mt yr−1 since 2001 is observed in September and 15 September–15 October, respectively. Ozone recovery is also confirmed by a steady decrease of the relative area of total ozone values lower than 175 DU within the vortex in the 15 September–15 October period since 2010 and a delay in the occurrence of ozone levels below 125 DU since 2005.

scholarly journals A model study of the January 2006 low total ozone episode over Western Europe and comparison with ozone sonde data

2009 ◽  
Vol 9 (17) ◽  
pp. 6429-6451 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Mangold ◽  
J.-U. Grooß ◽  
H. De Backer ◽  
O. Kirner ◽  
R. Ruhnke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ozone Depletion ◽  
Total Ozone ◽  
Western Europe ◽  
Transport Processes ◽  
Minor Importance ◽  
Total Ozone Column ◽  
Ozone Episodes ◽  
Ozone Episode ◽  
Ozone Column

Abstract. Total column and stratospheric ozone levels at mid-latitudes often reveal strong fluctuations on time scales of days caused by dynamic processes. In some cases the total ozone column is distinctly reduced below climatological values. Here, a very low total ozone episode around 19 January 2006 over Western Europe is investigated when the observed total ozone column over Uccle (BE), measured by a Brewer spectrophotometer, reached a daily minimum of 200 DU, the lowest recorded value at this station. In order to investigate the mechanisms leading to the ozone minimum, the present study used data from (i) six ozone sounding stations in Western and Middle Europe, (ii) ECMWF meteorological fields, (iii) a simulation of the CLaMS model for January 2006, (iv) a multi-year run of the chemistry transport model KASIMA, and (v) a six-year run of the climate chemistry model ECHAM5/MESSy1. The ozone decrease at different heights was quantified and it was determined to what extent different transport mechanisms, and instantaneous, in-situ chemical ozone depletion contributed to the event. All three models reproduced the evolution and formation of the event. The ozone column decrease between Θ=300 and 750 K was strongest at Uccle (BE) and De Bilt (NL) with 108 and 103 DU, respectively, and somewhat lower at Hohenpeissenberg (DE), Payerne (CH), Prague (CZ) and Lerwick (UK) with 85, 84, 83 and 74 DU, respectively. This analysis demonstrated that mainly the displacement of the ozone depleted polar vortex contributed to the ozone column decrease. Advection of ozone-poor low-latitude air masses was important in the UTLS region. The vertical displacement of isentropes connected with divergence of air out of the column was found to be of minor importance compared to the horizontal transport processes. Severe low total ozone episodes seem to occur when the mentioned mechanisms are superimposed. Instantaneous, in-situ chemical ozone depletion accounted for only 2±1% of the overall total ozone decrease at the sounding stations.

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