The dynamic-chemical mechanism of the springtime ozone decrease in the antarctic atmosphere
Abstract
The dynamic-chemical mechanism of the springtime ozone decrease in Antarctica is examined. The dynamic part of the mechanism relates to the properties of the winter stratospheric antarctic front whereby this front prevents the turbulent mixing of stratospheric air masses at medium and high latitudes, thus leading to the isolation of part of the stratosphere within the polar vortex. A significant increase in ClO content is observed in the isolated antarctic stratosphere during the winter-spring period due to the downward transfer of ClO within the polar vortex. With the onset of the polar day, photochemical processes lead to a rapid increase in the concentration of elemental chlorine which destroys ozone in the isolated part of the polar vortex, leading to the development of the 'ozone hole'.
- Publication:
-
Atmospheric Optics, Ozonometry, and Trace Gas Constituents
- Pub Date:
- 1991
- Bibcode:
- 1991aoot.book...30G
- Keywords:
-
- Air Masses;
- Antarctic Regions;
- Fronts (Meteorology);
- Ozone Depletion;
- Spring (Season);
- Stratosphere;
- Chlorine;
- Chlorine Oxides;
- Mass Transfer;
- Photochemical Reactions;
- Geophysics