Satellite Observations of Ozone Minima In The Lower Stratosphere
Abstract
Ozone profile data from ESA's GOME instrument and NASA's SAGE-II instrument were used to examine the occurrence of ozone minima in both the vertical and horizon- tal structure of the lower stratosphere between 10 and 20 km altitude, a region of the atmosphere that had previously been poorly observed on a global scale. Comparisons with RDF PV fields (320-380 K) for an intrusion of subtropical air over Europe in March 1997 showed that preliminary GOME ozone profile data could detect horizon- tal filaments of low ozone at a resolution beyond operational ECMWF PV analyses. Five months of GOME data from 1998/99 was then examined to determine the global distribution of horizontal filaments of low ozone mixing ratio. SAGE-II Version 5.96 and 6.00 data from all months 1995-99 was examined to determine the distribution of vertical layers of low ozone mixing ratio. Results from both instruments agreed well and showed a strong annual cycle with the highest percentage of minima between 30 and 50 degrees latitude in winter in both hemispheres. Minima were also found along the poleward flank of the Asian Monsoon circulation in northern summer, and min- ima were found associated with Antarctic Polar Vortex in southern winter. Compari- son with mean winds showed that minima occurred in regions of cyclonic shear, and minima with the lowest ozone mixing ratios were distributed close to the subtropical jetstreams, suggesting meridional transport from the subtropical upper troposphere.
- Publication:
-
EGS General Assembly Conference Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- 2002
- Bibcode:
- 2002EGSGA..27.2920V