Ground‐based measurements of total aerosol optical depth (AOD), e.g., tropospheric and stratospheric aerosol, have been established at the Koldewey station in Ny‐Ålesund, Spitzbergen (Norway, ...78.95°N, 11.93°E), since 1991. The basic instrumentation is a multichannel photometer using sunlight. New instruments have been developed to extend the measurement period to polar night. The new instruments are a Sun and Moon photometer (1995) and a star photometer (1996). The instruments and applied methods for aerosol optical depth retrieval for Sun, Moon, and star measurements are briefly discussed. The year‐round measurements made it possible to study in detail the interannual and seasonal variations of total AOD in the Arctic. The seasonal variation and the long‐term trend of tropospheric aerosol optical depth are discussed, taking into account the stratospheric AOD measured by the Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment (SAGE II). The lowest tropospheric aerosol optical depth values occur in late summer and fall. Each year, strong Arctic haze events were recorded not only during spring but also in late winter as the first star photometer measurements clearly show. Five‐day backward trajectories were used to analyze possible sources for high tropospheric AOD. Elevated tropospheric aerosol optical depth appears for northeasterly, easterly, or westerly winds. Finally, the long‐term changes of tropospheric AOD have been assessed. A small positive trend of the tropospheric aerosol optical depth is found for the vicinity of Spitzbergen during the measurement period.
Unprecedented Arctic ozone loss in 2011 Manney, Gloria L; Santee, Michelle L; Rex, Markus ...
Nature (London),
10/2011, Volume:
478, Issue:
7370
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Chemical ozone destruction occurs over both polar regions in local winter-spring. In the Antarctic, essentially complete removal of lower-stratospheric ozone currently results in an ozone hole every ...year, whereas in the Arctic, ozone loss is highly variable and has until now been much more limited. Here we demonstrate that chemical ozone destruction over the Arctic in early 2011 was--for the first time in the observational record--comparable to that in the Antarctic ozone hole. Unusually long-lasting cold conditions in the Arctic lower stratosphere led to persistent enhancement in ozone-destroying forms of chlorine and to unprecedented ozone loss, which exceeded 80 per cent over 18-20 kilometres altitude. Our results show that Arctic ozone holes are possible even with temperatures much milder than those in the Antarctic. We cannot at present predict when such severe Arctic ozone depletion may be matched or exceeded.
Unprecedented Arctic ozone loss in 2011 Manney, Gloria L; Santee, Michelle L; Rex, Markus ...
Nature (London),
10/2011, Volume:
478, Issue:
7370
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Chemical ozone destruction occurs over both polar regions in local winter-spring. In the Antarctic, essentially complete removal of lower-stratospheric ozone currently results in an ozone hole every ...year, whereas in the Arctic, ozone loss is highly variable and has until now been much more limited. Here we demonstrate that chemical ozone destruction over the Arctic in early 2011 was--for the first time in the observational record--comparable to that in the Antarctic ozone hole. Unusually long-lasting cold conditions in the Arctic lower stratosphere led to persistent enhancement in ozone-destroying forms of chlorine and to unprecedented ozone loss, which exceeded 80 per cent over 18-20 kilometres altitude. Our results show that Arctic ozone holes are possible even with temperatures much milder than those in the Antarctic. We cannot at present predict when such severe Arctic ozone depletion may be matched or exceeded.
Severe stratospheric ozone depletion is the result of perturbations of chlorine chemistry owing to the presence of polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) during periods of limited exchange of air between ...the polar vortex and midlatitudes and partial exposure of the vortex to sunlight. These conditions are consistently encountered over Antarctica during the austral spring. In the Arctic, extensive PSC formation occurs only during the coldest winters, when temperatures fall as low as those regularly found in the Antarctic,,. Moreover, ozone levels in late winter and early spring are significantly higher than in the corresponding austral season,,, and usually strongly perturbed by atmospheric dynamics. For these reasons, chemical ozone loss in the Arctic is difficult to quantify. Here we use the correlation between CH4 and O3 in the Arctic polar vortex to discriminate between changes in ozone concentration due to chemical and dynamical effects. Our results indicate that 120-160 Dobson units (DU) of ozone were chemically destroyed between January and March 1996-a loss greater than observed in Antarctica in 1985, when the 'ozone hole' was first reported,. This loss outweighs the expected increase in total ozone over the same period through dynamical effects, leading to an observed net decrease of about 50 DU. This ozone loss arises through the simultaneous occurrence of extremely low Arctic stratospheric temperatures, and large stratospheric chlorine loadings. Comparable depletion is likely to recur because stratospheric cooling, and elevated chlorine concentrations, are expected to persist for several decades.
The altitude dependent variability of ozone in the polar stratosphere is regularly observed by balloon-borne ozonesonde observations at Neumayer Station (70 degree S) in the Antarctic and at Koldewey ...Station (79 degree N) in the Arctic. The reasons for observed seasonal and interannual variability and long-term changes are discussed. Differences between the hemispheres are identified and discussed in light of differing dynamical and chemical conditions. Since the mid-1980s, rapid chemical ozone loss has been recorded in the lower Antarctic stratosphere during the spring season. Using coordinated ozone soundings in some Arctic winters, similar chemical ozone loss rates have been detected related to periods of low temperatures. The currently observed cooling trend of the stratosphere, potentially caused by the increase of anthropogenic greenhouse gases, may further strengthen chemical ozone removal in the Arctic. However, the role of internal climate oscillations in observed temperature trends is still uncertain. First results of a 10 000 year integration of a low order climate model indicate significant internal climate variability, on decadal time scales, that may alter the effect of increasing levels of greenhouse gases in the polar stratosphere.
The altitude dependent variability of ozone in the polar stratosphere is regularly observed by balloon‐borne ozonesonde observations at Neumayer Station (70°S) in the Antarctic and at Koldewey ...Station (79°N)in the Arctic. The reasons for observed seasonal and interannual variability and long‐term changes are discussed. Differencs between the hemispheres are identified and discussed in light of differing dynamical and chemical conditions. Sicne the mid‐ 1980s, rapid chemical ozone loss has been recorded in the lower Antarctic stratosphere during the spring season. Using coordinated ozone soundings in some Arctic winters, similar chemical ozone loss rates have been detected related to periods of low temperatures. The currently observed cooling trend of the stratosphere, potentially caused by the increase of anthropogenic greenhouse gases, may further strengthen chemical ozone removal in the Arctic. However, the role of internal climate oscillations in observed temperature trends is still uncertain. First results of a 10000 year intergration of a low order climate model indicate significant internal climate variability. on decadal time scales, that may alter the effect of increasing levels of greenhouse gases in the polar stratosphere.
The altitude dependent variability of ozone in the polar stratosphere is regularly observed by balloon-borne ozonesonde observations at Neumayer Station (70°S) in the Antarctic and at Koldewey ...Station (79°N)in the Arctic. The reasons for observed seasonal and interannual variability and long-term changes are discussed. Differences between the hemispheres are identified and discussed in light of differing dynamical and chemical conditions. Since the mid- 1980s, rapid chemical ozone loss has been recorded in the lower Antarctic stratosphere during the spring season. Using coordinated ozone soundings in some Arctic winters, similar chemical ozone loss rates have been detected related to periods of low temperatures. The currently observed cooling trend of the stratosphere, potentially caused by the increase of anthropogenic greenhouse gases, may further strengthen chemical ozone removal in the Arctic. However, the role of internal climate oscillations in observed temperature trends is still uncertain. First results of a 10000 year integration of a low order climate model indicate significant internal climate variability. on decadal time scales, that may alter the effect of increasing levels of greenhouse gases in the polar stratosphere.
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