TRAJECTORY STUDIES OF THE MIDDLE ATMOSPHERE

2021 ◽  
pp. 95-104
Author(s):  
A. N. LUKYANOV ◽  
◽  
A. V. GANSHIN ◽  
V. A. YUSHKOV ◽  
A. S. VYAZANKIN ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ozone Depletion ◽  
Middle Atmosphere ◽  
Dispersion Model ◽  
Eddy Diffusion ◽  
Polar Stratosphere ◽  
Ash Dispersion ◽  
Grid Points ◽  
Profile Reconstruction ◽  
Flexpart Model ◽  
Central Aerological Observatory

A short description and some applications of the trajectory and dispersion models developed in Central Aerological Observatory (CAO) for studying the stratospheric and tropospheric transport of pollutants are presented. The TRACAO trajectory model is applied to investigate the processes related to the ozone depletion in the winter polar stratosphere, in order to study the mid-latitude stratosphere-troposphere exchange, as well as to analyze balloon and aircraft (M55 “Geophysics,” Yak-42D “Roshydromer”) observations. Then based on the TRACAO, the GLADIM dispersion model that simulates trajectories of the set of particles with the eddy diffusion parameterization and determines the pollutant concentration at the regular grid points, was developed. The dispersion model was applied to simulate volcanic ash dispersion and carbon dioxide profile reconstruction. The model validation was done by comparisons with the results of the widely used FLEXPART model. Nowadays these models are used at the “Middle Atmosphere” Regional Information and Analytic Center established in CAO.

scholarly journals Determination of time- and height-resolved volcanic ash emissions and their use for quantitative ash dispersion modeling: the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 4333-4351 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Stohl ◽  
A. J. Prata ◽  
S. Eckhardt ◽  
L. Clarisse ◽  
A. Durant ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Volcanic Ash ◽  
Dispersion Model ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Volcanic Eruptions ◽  
General Nature ◽  
Aviation Industry ◽  
Dispersion Modeling ◽  
Source Information ◽  
European Area ◽  
Ash Dispersion

Abstract. The April–May, 2010 volcanic eruptions of Eyjafjallajökull, Iceland caused significant economic and social disruption in Europe whilst state of the art measurements and ash dispersion forecasts were heavily criticized by the aviation industry. Here we demonstrate for the first time that large improvements can be made in quantitative predictions of the fate of volcanic ash emissions, by using an inversion scheme that couples a priori source information and the output of a Lagrangian dispersion model with satellite data to estimate the volcanic ash source strength as a function of altitude and time. From the inversion, we obtain a total fine ash emission of the eruption of 8.3 ± 4.2 Tg for particles in the size range of 2.8–28 μm diameter. We evaluate the results of our model results with a posteriori ash emissions using independent ground-based, airborne and space-borne measurements both in case studies and statistically. Subsequently, we estimate the area over Europe affected by volcanic ash above certain concentration thresholds relevant for the aviation industry. We find that during three episodes in April and May, volcanic ash concentrations at some altitude in the atmosphere exceeded the limits for the "Normal" flying zone in up to 14 % (6–16 %), 2 % (1–3 %) and 7 % (4–11 %), respectively, of the European area. For a limit of 2 mg m−3 only two episodes with fractions of 1.5 % (0.2–2.8 %) and 0.9 % (0.1–1.6 %) occurred, while the current "No-Fly" zone criterion of 4 mg m−3 was rarely exceeded. Our results have important ramifications for determining air space closures and for real-time quantitative estimations of ash concentrations. Furthermore, the general nature of our method yields better constraints on the distribution and fate of volcanic ash in the Earth system.

scholarly journals Nucleation of nitric acid hydrates in Polar Stratospheric Clouds by meteoric material

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander D. James ◽  
James S. A. Brooke ◽  
Thomas P. Mangan ◽  
Thomas F. Whale ◽  
John M. C. Plane ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Acid ◽  
Heterogeneous Nucleation ◽  
Ozone Depletion ◽  
Mode Of Action ◽  
Polar Stratospheric Clouds ◽  
Water Ice ◽  
Meteoric Smoke ◽  
Polar Stratosphere ◽  
Stratospheric Clouds ◽  
Meteoric Material

Abstract. Heterogeneous nucleation of crystalline nitric acid hydrates in Polar Stratospheric Clouds (PSCs) enhances ozone depletion. However, the identity and mode of action of the particles responsible for nucleation remains unknown. It has been suggested that meteoric material may trigger nucleation of nitric acid trihydrate (NAT), but this has never been directly demonstrated in the laboratory. Meteoric material is present in two forms in the stratosphere, smoke which results from the ablation and re-condensation of vapours, and fragments which result from the disruption of meteoroids entering the atmosphere. Here we show that analogues of both materials have a capacity to nucleate nitric acid hydrates. In combination with estimates from a global model of the amount of meteoric smoke and fragments in the polar stratosphere we show that meteoric material probably accounts for NAT observations in early season polar stratospheric clouds in the absence of water ice.

scholarly journals Stratospheric ozone depletion during the 1995–1996 Arctic winter: 3-D simulations on the potential role of different PSC types

2001 ◽  
Vol 19 (9) ◽  
pp. 1163-1181 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Hendricks ◽  
F. Baier ◽  
G. Günther ◽  
B. C. Krüger ◽  
A. Ebel
Keyword(s):  
Ozone Depletion ◽  
Middle Atmosphere ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Stratospheric Ozone ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Particle Growth ◽  
Atmospheric Composition ◽  
Formation Mechanisms ◽  
Three Dimensional Model ◽  
Type Ia

Abstract. The sensitivity of modelled ozone depletion in the winter Arctic stratosphere to different assumptions of prevalent PSC types and PSC formation mechanisms is investigated. Three-dimensional simulations of the winter 1995/96 are performed with the COlogne Model of the Middle Atmosphere (COMMA) by applying different PSC microphysical schemes. Model runs are carried out considering either liquid or solid PSC particles or a combined microphysical scheme. These simulations are then compared to a model run which only takes into account binary sulfate aerosols. The results obtained with the three-dimensional model agree with trajectory-box simulations performed in previous studies. The simulations suggest that conditions appropriate for type Ia PSC existence (T < TNAT ) occur over longer periods and cover larger areas when compared to conditions of potential type Ib PSC existence. Significant differences in chlorine activation and ozone depletion occur between the simulations including only either liquid or solid PSC particles. The largest differences, occurring over large spatial scales and during prolonged time periods, are modelled first, when the stratospheric temperatures stay below TNAT , but above the threshold of effective liquid particle growth and second, in the case of the stratospheric temperatures remaining below this threshold, but not falling below the ice frost point. It can be generally concluded from the present study that differences in PSC microphysical schemes can cause significant fluctuations in ozone depletion modelled for the winter Arctic stratosphere.Key words. Atmospheric composition and structure (aerosols and particles; cloud physics and chemistry; middle atmosphere composition and chemistry)

scholarly journals The global middle-atmosphere aerosol model MAECHAM5-SAM2: comparison with satellite and in-situ observations

2010 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 1359-1421
Author(s):  
R. Hommel ◽  
C. Timmreck ◽  
H. F. Graf
Keyword(s):  
Sulphuric Acid ◽  
Middle Atmosphere ◽  
Stratospheric Aerosol ◽  
Aerosol Layer ◽  
Upper Troposphere ◽  
Mixing Ratios ◽  
Fine Mode ◽  
In Situ Observations ◽  
Polar Stratosphere

Abstract. In this paper we investigate results from a middle-atmosphere aerosol-climate model which has been developed to study the evolution of stratospheric aerosols. Here we focus on the stratospheric background period and evaluate several key quantities of the global dispersion of stratospheric aerosols and their precursors with observations and other model studies. It is shown that the model fairly well reproduces in situ observations of the aerosol size and number concentrations in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere (UT/LS). Compared to measurements from the limb-sounding SAGE II satellite instrument, modelled integrated aerosol quantities are more biased the lower the moment of the aerosol population. Both findings are consistent with earlier work analysing the quality of SAGE II retrieved e.g. aerosol surface area densities from the volcanically unperturbed stratosphere (SPARC/ASAP, 2006; Thomason et al., 2008; Wurl et al., 2010). The model suggests that new particles are formed over large areas of the LS, albeit nucleation rates in the upper troposphere are at least one order of magnitude larger than those in the stratosphere. Hence, we suggest that both tropospheric sulphate aerosols and particles formed in situ in the LS are maintaining the stability of the stratospheric aerosol layer also in the absence of direct stratospheric emissions from volcanoes. Particle size distributions are clearly bimodal, except in the upper branches of the stratospheric aerosol layer where aerosols evaporate. Modelled concentrations of condensation nuclei (CN) are lesser than measured in regions of the aerosol layer where aerosol mixing ratios are largest, due to an overpredicted particle growth by coagulation. Transport regimes of tropical stratospheric aerosol have been identified from modelled aerosol mixing ratios and correspond to those deduced from satellite extinction measurements. We found that convective updraft in the Asian Monsoon region significantly contributes to both stratospheric aerosol load and size. The timing of formation and descend of layers of fine mode particles in the winter and spring polar stratosphere (CN layer) are reproduced by the model. Far above the tropopause where nucleation is inhibited due to with height increasing stratospheric temperatures, planetary wave mixing transports significant amounts of fine mode particles from the polar stratosphere to mid-latitudes. In those regions enhanced condensation rates of sulphuric acid vapour counteracts the evaporation of aerosols, hence prolonging the aerosol lifetime in the upper branches of the stratospheric aerosol layer. Measurements of the aerosol precursors SO2 and sulphuric acid vapour are fairly well reproduced by the model throughout the stratosphere.

scholarly journals Nucleation of nitric acid hydrates in polar stratospheric clouds by meteoric material

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (7) ◽  
pp. 4519-4531 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander D. James ◽  
James S. A. Brooke ◽  
Thomas P. Mangan ◽  
Thomas F. Whale ◽  
John M. C. Plane ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Acid ◽  
Heterogeneous Nucleation ◽  
Ozone Depletion ◽  
Mode Of Action ◽  
Polar Stratospheric Clouds ◽  
Water Ice ◽  
Meteoric Smoke ◽  
Polar Stratosphere ◽  
Stratospheric Clouds ◽  
Meteoric Material

Abstract. Heterogeneous nucleation of crystalline nitric acid hydrates in polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) enhances ozone depletion. However, the identity and mode of action of the particles responsible for nucleation remains unknown. It has been suggested that meteoric material may trigger nucleation of nitric acid trihydrate (NAT, or other nitric acid phases), but this has never been quantitatively demonstrated in the laboratory. Meteoric material is present in two forms in the stratosphere: smoke that results from the ablation and re-condensation of vapours, and fragments that result from the break-up of meteoroids entering the atmosphere. Here we show that analogues of both materials have a capacity to nucleate nitric acid hydrates. In combination with estimates from a global model of the amount of meteoric smoke and fragments in the polar stratosphere we show that meteoric material probably accounts for NAT observations in early season polar stratospheric clouds in the absence of water ice.

Ozone depletion in the middle atmosphere during solar proton events in October 2003

2006 ◽  
Vol 38 (8) ◽  
pp. 1881-1886 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kh. Fadel ◽  
E.V. Vashenyuk ◽  
A.S. Kirillov
Keyword(s):  
Ozone Depletion ◽  
Middle Atmosphere ◽  
Solar Proton ◽  
Solar Proton Events

scholarly journals Separating the Dynamical Effects of Climate Change and Ozone Depletion. Part I: Southern Hemisphere Stratosphere

2010 ◽  
Vol 23 (18) ◽  
pp. 5002-5020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles McLandress ◽  
Andreas I. Jonsson ◽  
David A. Plummer ◽  
M. Catherine Reader ◽  
John F. Scinocca ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Southern Hemisphere ◽  
Mass Flux ◽  
Ozone Depletion ◽  
Seasonal Changes ◽  
Middle Atmosphere ◽  
Wave Drag ◽  
Zonal Winds ◽  
Ozone Depleting Substances ◽  
Induced Changes

Abstract A version of the Canadian Middle Atmosphere Model that is coupled to an ocean is used to investigate the separate effects of climate change and ozone depletion on the dynamics of the Southern Hemisphere (SH) stratosphere. This is achieved by performing three sets of simulations extending from 1960 to 2099: 1) greenhouse gases (GHGs) fixed at 1960 levels and ozone depleting substances (ODSs) varying in time, 2) ODSs fixed at 1960 levels and GHGs varying in time, and 3) both GHGs and ODSs varying in time. The response of various dynamical quantities to the GHG and ODS forcings is shown to be additive; that is, trends computed from the sum of the first two simulations are equal to trends from the third. Additivity is shown to hold for the zonal mean zonal wind and temperature, the mass flux into and out of the stratosphere, and the latitudinally averaged wave drag in SH spring and summer, as well as for final warming dates. Ozone depletion and recovery causes seasonal changes in lower-stratosphere mass flux, with reduced polar downwelling in the past followed by increased downwelling in the future in SH spring, and the reverse in SH summer. These seasonal changes are attributed to changes in wave drag caused by ozone-induced changes in the zonal mean zonal winds. Climate change, on the other hand, causes a steady decrease in wave drag during SH spring, which delays the breakdown of the vortex, resulting in increased wave drag in summer.

scholarly journals Unusually strong nitric oxide descent in the Arctic middle atmosphere in early 2013 as observed by Odin/SMR

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 3563-3581
Author(s):  
K. Pérot ◽  
J. Urban ◽  
D. P. Murtagh
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Middle Atmosphere ◽  
Lower Thermosphere ◽  
Polar Vortex ◽  
Meteorological Conditions ◽  
Atmospheric Composition ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
The Reformation ◽  
Polar Stratosphere ◽  
Energetic Particle Precipitation

Abstract. The middle atmosphere has been affected by an exceptionally strong midwinter stratospheric sudden warming (SSW) during the Arctic winter 2012/2013. These unusual meteorological conditions led to a breakdown of the polar vortex, followed by the reformation of a strong upper stratospheric vortex associated with particularly efficient descent of air. Measurements by the Sub-Millimetre Radiometer (SMR), on board the Odin satellite, show that very large amounts of nitric oxide (NO), produced by Energetic Particle Precipitation (EPP) in the mesosphere/lower thermosphere (MLT), could thus enter the polar stratosphere in early 2013. The mechanism referring to the downward transport of EPP generated-NOx during winter is generally called the EPP indirect effect. SMR observed up to 20 times more NO in the upper stratosphere than the average NO measured at the same latitude, pressure and time during three previous winters where no mixing between mesospheric and stratospheric air was noticeable. This event turned out to be an unprecedently strong case of this effect. Our study is based on a comparison with the Arctic winter 2008/2009, when a similar situation was observed and which was so far considered as a record-breaking winter for this kind of events. This outstanding situation is the result of the combination between a relatively high geomagnetic activity and an unusually high dynamical activity, which makes this case a prime example to study the EPP impacts on the atmospheric composition.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document