scholarly journals The influence of ozone concentration on the lower ionosphere – modelling and measurements during the 29–30 October 2003 solar proton event

2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 577-589 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Osepian ◽  
S. Kirkwood ◽  
P. Dalin
Keyword(s):  
Electron Density ◽  
Ozone Concentration ◽  
Negative Ions ◽  
Solar Proton ◽  
Proton Event ◽  
Ion Chemistry ◽  
Density Profiles ◽  
Proton Fluxes ◽  
D Region ◽  
Electron Density Profiles

Abstract. A numerical model of D-region ion chemistry is used to study the influence of the ozone concentration in the mesosphere on ion-composition and electron density during solar proton events (SPE). We find a strong sensitivity in the lower part of the D-region, where negative ions play a major role in the ionization balance. We have chosen the strong SPE on 29–30 October 2003 when very intense proton fluxes with a hard energetic spectrum were observed. Deep penetration into the atmosphere by the proton fluxes and strong ionisation allows us to use measurements of electron density, made by the EISCAT 224 MHz radar, starting from as low as 55 km. We compare the electron density profiles with model results to determine which ozone concentration profiles are the most appropriate for mesospheric altitudes under SPE conditions. We show that, during daytime, an ozone profile corresponding to depletion by a factor of 2 compared to minimum model concentrations for quiet conditions (Rodrigo et al., 1986), is needed to give model electron density profiles consistent with observations. Simple incorporation of minor neutral constituent profiles (NO, O and O3) appropriate for SPE conditions into ion-chemistry models will allow more accurate modeling of electron and ion densities during such events, without the need to apply a complete chemical model calculating all neutral species.

scholarly journals Case study of the mesospheric and lower thermospheric effects of solar X-ray flares: coupled ion-neutral modelling and comparison with EISCAT and riometer measurements

2008 ◽  
Vol 26 (8) ◽  
pp. 2311-2321 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.-F. Enell ◽  
P. T. Verronen ◽  
M. J. Beharrell ◽  
J. P. Vierinen ◽  
A. Kero ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Proton ◽  
Spectral Irradiance ◽  
Cluster Ions ◽  
Ion Chemistry ◽  
Density Profiles ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Noise Absorption ◽  
D Region ◽  
Electron Density Profiles ◽  
Cosmic Noise

Abstract. Two case studies of upper mesospheric and lower thermospheric (UMLT) high-latitude effects of solar X-ray flares are presented. Sodankylä Ion-neutral Chemistry Model (SIC) electron density profiles agree with D-region EISCAT and riometer observations, provided that the profiles of the most variable ionisable component, nitric oxide, are adjusted to compensate for NOx production during preceding geomagnetically active periods. For the M6-class flare of 27 April 2006, following a quiet period, the agreement with cosmic noise absorption observed by the Sodankylä riometers was within reasonable limits without adjustment of the [NO] profile. For the major (X17-class) event of 28 October 2003, following high auroral activity and solar proton events, the NO concentration had to be increased up to on the order of 108 cm−3 at the D-region minimum. Thus [NO] can in principle be measured by combining SIC with observations, if the solar spectral irradiance and particle precipitation are adequately known. As the two case events were short and modelled for high latitudes, the resulting neutral chemical changes are insignificant. However, changes in the model ion chemistry occur, including enhancements of water cluster ions.

scholarly journals The role of atomic oxygen concentration in the ionization balance of the lower ionosphere during solar proton events

2008 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 131-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Osepian ◽  
V. Tereschenko ◽  
P. Dalin ◽  
S. Kirkwood
Keyword(s):  
Electron Density ◽  
Oxygen Concentration ◽  
Atomic Oxygen ◽  
Negative Ions ◽  
Solar Proton ◽  
Negative Ion ◽  
Proton Event ◽  
Density Profiles ◽  
Oxygen Profile ◽  
Atomic Oxygen Concentration

Abstract. The influence of atomic oxygen concentration on the height distribution of the main positive and negative ions and on electron density in the mesosphere is studied for the conditions prevailing during the solar proton event on 17 January 2005. It is shown by numerical modeling that the electron and ion density profiles are strongly dependent on the choice of the atomic oxygen profile. Experimental measurements of the electron density are used as the criterion for choosing the atomic oxygen profile in the mesosphere. With the help of modeling, the atomic oxygen profile in the daytime in the winter mesosphere is found to lead to a model electron density profile best matching the electron density profile obtained experimentally. As a result, with the help of modeling, we find the atomic oxygen profiles at various solar zenith angles in the winter mesosphere which lead to model electron density profiles matching the electron density profiles obtained experimentally. Alteration of the atomic oxygen concentration leads to a redistribution of the abundance of both positive and negative ion constituents, with changes in their total concentrations and transition heights. In consequence this results in changes of the electron density and effective recombination coefficient. For conditions of low concentration of atomic oxygen (during a solar proton event), the formation of cluster ions is the key process determining electron and ion densities at altitudes up to 77 km. The complex negative CO3− ion is formed up to about 74 km and the final NO3− ion, which is stable in relation to the atomic oxygen, is the dominant negative ion up to 74 km. As a result the transition heights between cluster ions and molecular ions and between negative ions and electron density are located at 77 km and 66 km, respectively.

scholarly journals <i>D</i>-region ion–neutral coupled chemistry (Sodankylä Ion Chemistry, SIC) within the Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model (WACCM 4) – WACCM-SIC and WACCM-rSIC

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 3123-3136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamás Kovács ◽  
John M. C. Plane ◽  
Wuhu Feng ◽  
Tibor Nagy ◽  
Martyn P. Chipperfield ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Model ◽  
Negative Ions ◽  
Solar Proton ◽  
Proton Event ◽  
Ion Chemistry ◽  
Neutral Species ◽  
Community Climate Model ◽  
Ion Molecule Reactions ◽  
D Region ◽  
Community Climate

Abstract. This study presents a new ion–neutral chemical model coupled into the Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model (WACCM). The ionospheric D-region (altitudes ∼  50–90 km) chemistry is based on the Sodankylä Ion Chemistry (SIC) model, a one-dimensional model containing 307 ion–neutral and ion recombination, 16 photodissociation and 7 photoionization reactions of neutral species, positive and negative ions, and electrons. The SIC mechanism was reduced using the simulation error minimization connectivity method (SEM-CM) to produce a reaction scheme of 181 ion–molecule reactions of 181 ion–molecule reactions of 27 positive and 18 negative ions. This scheme describes the concentration profiles at altitudes between 20 km and 120 km of a set of major neutral species (HNO3, O3, H2O2, NO, NO2, HO2, OH, N2O5) and ions (O2+, O4+, NO+, NO+(H2O), O2+(H2O), H+(H2O), H+(H2O)2, H+(H2O)3, H+(H2O)4, O3−, NO2−, O−, O2, OH−, O2−(H2O), O2−(H2O)2, O4−, CO3−, CO3−(H2O), CO4−, HCO3−, NO2−, NO3−, NO3−(H2O), NO3−(H2O)2, NO3−(HNO3), NO3−(HNO3)2, Cl−, ClO−), which agree with the full SIC mechanism within a 5 % tolerance. Four 3-D model simulations were then performed, using the impact of the January 2005 solar proton event (SPE) on D-region HOx and NOx chemistry as a test case of four different model versions: the standard WACCM (no negative ions and a very limited set of positive ions); WACCM-SIC (standard WACCM with the full SIC chemistry of positive and negative ions); WACCM-D (standard WACCM with a heuristic reduction of the SIC chemistry, recently used to examine HNO3 formation following an SPE); and WACCM-rSIC (standard WACCM with a reduction of SIC chemistry using the SEM-CM method). The standard WACCM misses the HNO3 enhancement during the SPE, while the full and reduced model versions predict significant NOx, HOx and HNO3 enhancements in the mesosphere during solar proton events. The SEM-CM reduction also identifies the important ion–molecule reactions that affect the partitioning of odd nitrogen (NOx), odd hydrogen (HOx) and O3 in the stratosphere and mesosphere.

scholarly journals Effects of D-region RF heating studied with the Sodankylä Ion Chemistry model

2005 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 1575-1583 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.-F. Enell ◽  
A. Kero ◽  
E. Turunen ◽  
Th. Ulich ◽  
P. T. Verronen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lower Thermosphere ◽  
Negative Ions ◽  
Solar Proton ◽  
Proton Event ◽  
High Electron ◽  
Ion Chemistry ◽  
Auroral Electron ◽  
D Region ◽  
Radio Transmitters ◽  
Cosmic Noise

Abstract. The upper mesosphere and lower thermosphere, or ionospheric D region, is an atmospheric layer which is difficult to access experimentally. A useful method that also has a large potential for further studies is artificial heating of electrons by means of powerful radio transmitters. Here we estimate the effect of D-region heating for a few typical cases of high electron density – daylight, typical auroral electron precipitation, and a solar proton event – by coupling a model of RF electron heating to the Sodankylä Ion Chemistry (SIC) model. The predicted effects are among others an increase in the ratio of the concentration of negative ions to that of free electrons, and an increase in the absorption of cosmic noise as measured by riometers. For the model runs presented in this paper we have calculated the absorption for the frequency (38.2MHz) of the IRIS imaging riometer in Kilpisjärvi, Finland, as observing the ionosphere above the EISCAT Heater in Tromsø, Norway. The predicted enhancements of the absorption are 0.2–0.8dB, an effect which is clearly detectable. Keywords. Ionosphere (Active experiments; Ion chemistry and composition; Wave propagation)

scholarly journals Sunset transition of negative charge in the D-region ionosphere during high-ionization conditions

2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 187-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. T. Verronen ◽  
Th. Ulich ◽  
E. Turunen ◽  
C. J. Rodger
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Negative Charge ◽  
Negative Ions ◽  
Solar Proton ◽  
Negative Ion ◽  
Proton Event ◽  
Minor Role ◽  
Cosmic Radio ◽  
Ion Chemistry ◽  
Visible Wavelengths

Abstract. The solar proton event of October 1989 and especially the sunset of 23 October is examined in this study of negative ion chemistry, which combines measurements of nitric oxide, electron density, and cosmic radio noise absorption with ion and neutral chemistry modelling. Model results show that the negative charge transition from electrons to negative ions during sunset occurs at altitudes below 80 km and is dependent on both ultraviolet and visible solar radiation. The ultraviolet effect is mostly due to rapid changes in atomic oxygen and O2(1Δg), while the decrease in NO3- photodetachment plays a minor role. The effect driven by visible wavelengths is due to changes in photodissociation of CO3- and the subsequent electron photodetachment from O-, and at higher altitudes is also due to a decrease in the photodetachment of O2-. The relative sizes of the ultraviolet and visible effects vary with altitude, with the visible effects increasing in importance at higher altitudes, and they are also controlled by the nitric oxide concentration. These modelling results are in good agreement with EISCAT incoherent scatter radar and Kilpisjärvi riometer measurements.

scholarly journals <i>D</i> region ion-neutral coupled chemistry within a whole atmosphere chemistry-climate model

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamás Kovács ◽  
John M. C. Plane ◽  
Wuhu Feng ◽  
Tibor Nagy ◽  
Martyn P. Chipperfield ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Model ◽  
Negative Ions ◽  
Reaction Scheme ◽  
Solar Proton ◽  
Proton Event ◽  
Test Case ◽  
Neutral Species ◽  
Ion Molecule Reactions ◽  
D Region ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. This study presents a new ion-neutral chemical model coupled into the Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model (WACCM). The ionospheric D region (altitudes ~ 50–90 km) chemistry is based on the Sodankylä Ion and Neutral Chemistry (SIC) model, a 1-dimensional model containing 306 ion-neutral and ionrecombination reactions of neutral species, positive and negative ions, and electrons. The SIC mechanism was reduced using the Simulation Error Minimization Connectivity Method (SEM-CM) to produce a reaction scheme of 181 ion-molecule reactions. This scheme describes the concentration profiles at altitudes between 20 km and 120 km of a set of major neutral species (HNO3, O3, H2O2, NO, NO2, HO2, OH, N2O5) and ions (O2+, O4+, NO+, NO+(H2O), O2+(H2O), H+(H2O), H+(H2O)2, H+(H2O)3, H+(H2O)4, O3−, NO2−, O−, O2, OH−, O2−(H2O), O2−(H2O)2, O4−, CO3−, CO3−(H2O), CO4−, HCO3−, NO2−, NO3−, NO3−(H2O), NO3(H2O)2, NO3−(HNO3), NO3−(HNO3)2, Cl−, ClO−), which agree with the full SIC mechanism within a 5 % tolerance. Four 3D model simulations were then performed, using the impact of the January 2005 Solar Proton Event (SPE) on D region HOx and NOx chemistry as a test case of four different model versions: the standard WACCM (no negative ions and a very limited set of positive ions); WACCM-SIC (standard WACCM with the full SIC chemistry of positive and negative ions); WACCM-D (standard WACCM with a heuristic reduction of the SIC chemistry, recently used to examine HNO3 formation following an SPE); and WACCM-rSIC (standard WACCM with a reduction of SIC chemistry using the SEM-CM Method). Standard WACCM misses the HNO3 enhancement during the SPE, while the full and reduced model versions predict significant NOx, HOx and HNO3 enhancements in the mesosphere during solar proton events. The SEM-CM reduction also identifies the important ion-molecule reactions that affect the partitioning of odd nitrogen (NOx), odd hydrogen (HOx), and O3 in the stratosphere and mesosphere.

scholarly journals Electron density profiles in the quiet lower ionosphere based on the results of modeling and experimental data

2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (9) ◽  
pp. 1345-1360 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Barabash ◽  
A. Osepian ◽  
P. Dalin ◽  
S. Kirkwood
Keyword(s):  
Solar Activity ◽  
Electron Density ◽  
Lower Ionosphere ◽  
Ionization Rate ◽  
Number Density ◽  
Density Profiles ◽  
Oxide Concentration ◽  
D Region ◽  
Nitric Oxide Concentration ◽  
Electron Density Profiles

Abstract. The theoretical PGI (Polar Geophysical Institute) model for the quiet lower ionosphere has been applied for computing the ionization rate and electron density profiles in the summer and winter D-region at solar zenith angles less than 80° and larger than 99° under steady state conditions. In order to minimize possible errors in estimation of ionization rates provided by solar electromagnetic radiation and to obtain the most exact values of electron density, each wavelength range of the solar spectrum has been divided into several intervals and the relations between the solar radiation intensity at these wavelengths and the solar activity index F10.7 have been incorporated into the model. Influence of minor neutral species (NO, H2O, O, O3) concentrations on the electron number density at different altitudes of the sunlit quiet D-region has been examined. The results demonstrate that at altitudes above 70 km, the modeled electron density is most sensitive to variations of nitric oxide concentration. Changes of water vapor concentration in the whole altitude range of the mesosphere influence the electron density only in the narrow height interval 73–85 km. The effect of the change of atomic oxygen and ozone concentration is the least significant and takes place only below 70 km. Model responses to changes of the solar zenith angle, solar activity (low–high) and season (summer–winter) have been considered. Modeled electron density profiles have been evaluated by comparison with experimental profiles available from the rocket measurements for the same conditions. It is demonstrated that the theoretical model for the quiet lower ionosphere is quite effective in describing variations in ionization rate, electron number density and effective recombination coefficient as functions of solar zenith angle, solar activity and season. The model may be used for solving inverse tasks, in particular, for estimations of nitric oxide concentration in the mesosphere.

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