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At least 91 records · Page 5

Coherent variations of monthly mean total ozone and lower stratospheric temperature

Space-time patterns of correlation between total ozone and lower stratospheric temperature are documented, based on 14 years (1979-1992) of global monthly mean observations. Data are obtained from the total ozone mapping spectrometer (TOMS) and microwave sounding unit (MSU) channel 4, the latter being a weighted mean temperature of the 150- to 50-mbar layer. These data are analyzed (separately) for linear trend, solar cycle, quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO), and El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) variations via linear regression: significant signals are identified for each term, and the corresponding structures in ozone and temperature are found to be highly coherent. The temperature trends derived here show significant cooling of the lower stratosphere over Northern Hemisphere (NH) midlatitudes in winter-spring and over Antarctica in Southern Hemisphere (SH) spring; the overall space-time patterns are similar to those determined for ozone trends. Interestingly, temperatures do not decrease over SH midlatitudes during midwinter, in spite of large ozone losses. These data furthermore show globally coherent ozone and temperature perturbations associated with both QBO and ENSO variations; a new result here show large total ozone anomalies in middle-to-high latitudes of both hemispheres associated with ENSO events. Residuals from the ozone and temperature time series (defined as the deseasonalized total minus the regression fits) show strong positive correlation in middle-to-high latitudes but weak correlations in the trop ics. Time periods following the volcanic eruptions of El Chichon and Pinatubo are clearly identified from the coupled signatures of decreased ozone and increased temperature, opposite to the positive ozone-temperature correlations observed at other times. The ratios of ozone to temperature anomalies derived here show quantitative signatures indicating that either radiative (trend, solar, and QBO) or dynamical (ENSO and residuals) processes are responsible for the strong ozone-temperature correlations.

Randel, William J.↗

Earth Probe Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) Data Product User's Guide

Two data products from the Earth Probe Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (EP/TOMS) have been archived at the Distributed Active Archive Center, in the form of Hierarchical Data Format files. The EP/ TOMS began taking measurements on July 15, 1996. The instrument measures backscattered Earth radiance and incoming solar irradiance; their ratio is used in ozone retrievals. Changes in the reflectivity of the solar diffuser used for the irradiance measurement are monitored using a carousel of three diffusers, each exposed to the degrading effects of solar irradiation at different rates. The algorithm to retrieve total column ozone compares measured Earth radiances at sets of three wavelengths with radiances calculated for different total ozone values. The initial error in the absolute scale for TOMS total ozone is 3 percent, the one standard deviation random error is 2 percent, and the drift is less than 0.5 percent over the first year of data. The Level-2 product contains the measured radiances, the derived total ozone amount, and reflectivity information for each scan position. The Level-3 product contains daily total ozone and reflectivity in a 1-degree latitude by 1.25 degrees longitude grid. Level-3 files containing estimates of LTVB at the Earth surface and tropospheric aerosol information are also available, Detailed descriptions of both HDF data-files and the CD-ROM product are provided.

McPeters, R.↗

Effect of aerosols on the estimation of total ozone in an atmospheric column from the measurements of its ultraviolet radiance

The problem of estimating the total ozone amount of an atmospheric column in the presence of stratospheric and tropospheric aerosols is studied by means of simulated spectral measurements for the five-wavelength Nimbus 4 BUV configuration and the six-wavelength Nimbus G TOMS configuration, and by analyzing such measurements with appropriate total ozone estimation procedures. The simulated spectral measurements were generated for forty different atmospheric models arrived at by varying the total ozone content and various aerosol parameters. A total of ten different values of the solar zenith angle and eight different values of the Lambert reflectivity of the underlying surface were used. It was found that the values of total ozone in an atmospheric column estimated by the five-wavelength procedure can be in error by about + or -2% as a result of particulate contamination encountered in the terrestrial atmosphere under average conditions. Errors due to tropospheric particulate contamination can be reduced significantly by taking appropriate advantage of the additional spectral measurement offered by the Nimbus G TOMS instrument.

Dave, J. V.↗

Change in Tropospheric Ozone in the Recent Decades and its Contribution to Global Total Ozone

Tropospheric ozone is a key chemically active trace gas and radiative forcer. Understanding its long-term changes is important to properly interpret observed changes in total column ozone and stratospheric ozone recovery. We investigate global and regional tropospheric ozone changes and their impact on total column ozone during 2005-2018 using satellite measurements and the NASA Goddard Earth Observing System Chemistry Climate Model (GEOSCCM). Global total ozone increased ~4 DU during 2005-2018 (+0.28±0.06 DU yr(exp -1)) as inferred from Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI). Consistent with previous studies, the OMI/MLS (Microwave Limb Sounder) derived global tropospheric ozone increased 2.2 DU during this period, 60% of the global total column ozone increase. While GEOSCCM reproduces reasonably well the total column increase, it overestimates the stratospheric ozone increase and underestimates the tropospheric ozone increase. We find that the tropospheric ozone increases are likely attributed to a growth of regional emissions of key ozone precursors, especially volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as reflected by the positive trends in formaldehyde (CH2O). Although carbon monoxide (CO) has been decreasing everywhere around the globe, it has relatively small impact on the tropospheric ozone trend. Trends in nitrogen dioxide (NO2) vary with regions, and these changes counteract or reinforce the positive effects of CH2O on the tropospheric ozone increases. The model underestimates the observed tropospheric ozone increase, especially over the US and Europe, because of underestimated NO2 emissions changes used in the model. The stratospheric ozone contribution increases during this period in the Northern Hemisphere and contributes to the tropospheric ozone increase.

Atmospheric chemistry↗

Total Ozone Trends from 1979 to 2016 Derived from Five Merged Observational Datasets - The Emergence into Ozone Recovery

We report on updated trends using different merged datasets from satellite and ground-based observations for the period from 1979 to 2016. Trends were determined by applying a multiple linear regression (MLR) to annual mean zonal mean data. Merged datasets used here include NASA MOD v8.6 and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) merge v8.6, both based on data from the series of Solar Backscatter UltraViolet (SBUV) and SBUV-2 satellite instruments (1978–present) as well as the Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment (GOME)-type Total Ozone (GTO) and GOME-SCIAMACHY-GOME-2 (GSG) merged datasets (1995-present), mainly comprising satellite data from GOME, the Scanning Imaging Absorption Spectrometer for Atmospheric Chartography (SCIAMACHY), and GOME-2A. The fifth dataset consists of the monthly mean zonal mean data from ground-based measurements collected at World Ozone and UV Data Center (WOUDC). The addition of four more years of data since the last World Meteorological Organization (WMO) ozone assessment (2013-2016) shows that for most datasets and regions the trends since the stratospheric halogen reached its maximum (approximately 1996 globally and approximately 2000 in polar regions) are mostly not significantly different from zero. However, for some latitudes, in particular the Southern Hemisphere extratropics and Northern Hemisphere subtropics, several datasets show small positive trends of slightly below +1 percent decade(exp. -1) that are barely statistically significant at the 2 Sigma uncertainty level. In the tropics, only two datasets show significant trends of +0.5 to +0.8 percent(exp.-1), while the others show near-zero trends. Positive trends since 2000 have been observed over Antarctica in September, but near-zero trends are found in October as well as in March over the Arctic. Uncertainties due to possible drifts between the datasets, from the merging procedure used to combine satellite datasets and related to the low sampling of ground-based data, are not accounted for in the trend analysis. Consequently, the retrieved trends can be only considered to be at the brink of becoming significant, but there are indications that we are about to emerge into the expected recovery phase. However, the recent trends are still considerably masked by the observed large year-to-year dynamical variability in total ozone.

column ozone trends↗

Connection between total ozone fields and lower stratospheric dynamics

It is expected from theoretical considerations that synoptic-scale variations in total ozone should be correlated with the absolute vorticity field near the tropopause. This paper tests the theory, using TOMS total ozone fields and vorticity derived from ECMWF analyses. A good correlation is found, except during winter - suggesting that other sources of variability in total ozone are active at this time. The correlation with potential vorticity is also investigated. This shows two maxima in the correlation coefficient in winter and spring, one near the tropopause and the other in the region of 420K. A study of the residuals from a linear regression of vorticity with total ozone during January reveals a similar structure to the 450K potential vorticity field.

Vaughan, G.↗

Periodic variations of total ozone and of its vertical distribution

The phase and amplitude of the annual, semiannual, and quasi-biennial oscillations to total ozone data for the Northern Hemisphere in the period 1957-1972 and for Northern Hemisphere ozonesonde data for variable periods from 1962-1974 have been plotted as functions of latitude, longitude, and altitude. The largest annual wave amplitude in total ozone occurs over eastern Siberia. In total ozone, the region of maximum quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) coincides with that of the annual wave. The major feature of the QBO in the vertical distribution is the maximum amplitude in the arctic just above the tropopause. As for the semiannual wave, the maximum in total ozone lies in the arctic, displaced slightly to the Siberian side. In the vertical, its maximum amplitude is near 18 km. The phase appears to progress poleward, with maxima at high latitudes occurring in March-April.

Wilcox, R. W.↗

Nimbus-7 Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) data products user's guide

Two tape products from the Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) aboard the Nimbus-7 have been archived at the National Space Science Data Center. The instrument measures backscattered Earth radiance and incoming solar irradiance; their ratio -- the albedo -- is used in ozone retrievals. In-flight measurements are used to monitor changes in the instrument sensitivity. The algorithm to retrieve total column ozone compares the observed ratios of albedos at pairs of wavelengths with pair ratios calculated for different ozone values, solar zenith angles, and optical paths. The initial error in the absolute scale for TOMS total ozone is 3 percent, the one standard-deviation random error is 2 percent, and the drift is +/- 1.5 percent over 14.5 years. The High Density TOMS (HDTOMS) tape contains the measured albedos, the derived total ozone amount, reflectivity, and cloud-height information for each scan position. It also contains an index of SO2 contamination for each position. The Gridded TOMS (GRIDTOMS) tape contains daily total ozone and reflectivity in roughly equal area grids (110 km in latitude by about 100-150 km in longitude). Detailed descriptions of the tape structure and record formats are provided.

Mcpeters, Richard D.↗

Total ozone determination by spectroradiometry in the middle ultraviolet

A method has been developed to determine total ozone from multispectral measurements of the direct solar irradiance. The total ozone is determined by a least squares fit to the spectrum between 290 nm and 380 nm. The aerosol extinction is accounted for by expanding it in a power series in wavelength; use of the linear term proved adequate. A mobile laboratory incorporating a sky scanner has been developed and used to obtain data to verify the method. Sun tracking, wavelength setting of the double monochromator, and data acquisition are under control of a minicomputer. Results obtained at Wallops Island, Virginia, and Palestine, Texas, agree well with simultaneous Dobson and Canterbury spectrometer and balloon ECC ozonesonde values. The wavelength calibration of the monochromator and the values for the normalized ozone absorption are the most important factors in an accurate determination of total ozone.

Garrison, L. M.↗

Total Ozone Prediction: Stratospheric Dynamics

The correct prediction of total ozone as a function of latitude and season is extremely important for global models. This exercise tests the ability of a particular model to simulate ozone. The ozone production (P) and loss (L) will be specified from a well- established global model and will be used in all GCMs for subsequent prediction of ozone. This is the "B-3 Constrained Run" from M&MII. The exercise mostly tests a model stratospheric dynamics in the prediction of total ozone. The GCM predictions will be compared and contrasted with TOMS measurements.

Jackman, Charles H.↗

Determination of water vapor profiles and total ozone burden from HIRS2/MSU sounding data

Algorithms for determining total ozone content and humidity from HIRS2/MSU data are examined. The methods are based on the ability to accurately model the response of a given channel to changes in a given atmospheric component. The steps of the iterative relaxation method for determining atmospheric water vapor and ozone content are described. Examples of retrieved fields of total ozone and precipitable water are presented.

Reuter, D.↗

Recent large fluctuations in total ozone

The present examination of total ozone changes in the global ozone network's data for the past 29 years notes recent changes to have been dominated by negative anomalies of two types: (1) reductions over the Antarctic, since 1980; and (2) deficits centered on winter and spring at middle latitudes, since 1982. Springtime correlations between ozone and temperature at the South Pole for 1963-1979 are used in linear regression models to predict ozone from temperature for the period since 1980; recent ozone values are found to be consistently lower than those predicted by these models.

Newell, Reginald E.↗

Error in total ozone measurements arising from aerosol attenuation

A generalized least squares method for deducing both total ozone and aerosol extinction spectrum parameters from Dobson spectrophotometer measurements was developed. An error analysis applied to this system indicates that there is little advantage to additional measurements once a sufficient number of line pairs have been employed to solve for the selected detail in the attenuation model. It is shown that when there is a predominance of small particles (less than about 0.35 microns in diameter) the total ozone from the standard AD system is too high by about one percent. When larger particles are present the derived total ozone may be an overestimate or an underestimate but serious errors occur only for narrow polydispersions.

Thomas, R. W. L.↗

Total ozone by lunar Dobson observation at Syowa, Antarctica

The lunar Dobson observation is almost the only way to get the total ozone in or around the polar night season at high latitudes where the total ozone observation by solar Dobson is not available. The total ozone observations by lunar Dobson were carried out at Syowa Station (69 S, 40 E), Antarctica in 1969, and 1982 to 1986, in the months from March to October. The method, the accuracy and the results of the lunar Dobson observation carried out at Syowa Station from 1982 to 1986 are described.

Chubachi, Shigeru↗

Retrieval of Total Ozone Amounts from Zenith-Sky Intensities in the Ultraviolet Region

A new method to determine the total ozone column from zenith-sky intensities in the ultraviolet region has been developed for the Shuttle Solar Backscatter Ultraviolet Spectrometer (SSBUV) operating at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. The total ozone column amounts are derived by comparing the ratio of measured intensities from three wavelengths with the equivalent ratios calculated by a radiative transfer model. The differences between the retrieved ozone column amounts and the collocated Brewer double monochromator are within 2% for the measurement period beginning in April 2001. The methodology, as well as the influences of the ozone profiles, aerosols, surface albedo, and the solar zenith angle on the retrieved total ozone amounts will be presented.

Bojkov, B. R.↗

Airmass dependence of the Dobson total ozone measurements

For many years the airmass dependence of total ozone measurements at Belsk has been observed to vary noticeably from one day to another. Series of AD wavelength pairs measurements taken out to high airmass were analyzed and compared with the two parameter stray light model presented by Basher. The analysis extended to the series of CD measurements indicates the role of atmospheric attenuation in appearing the airmass dependence. The minor noon decline of total ozone has been observed in the CD measurement series similarly as in those of the AD wavelength pairs. Such errors may seriously affect the accuracy of CD measurements at high latitude stations and the observations derived in winter at middle latitude stations.

Degorska, M.↗

Seasonal trend analysis of published ground-based and TOMS total ozone data through 1991

A seasonal trend analysis of published Dobson (including stations' newly revised and Brewer-simulated Dobson) total ozone data through 1991 from a network of 56 stations has been performed, using three different data periods. The trend results for the longest data period 1964 - 1991 indicate substantial negative trends in ozone in the higher northern latitudes during the winter and spring seasons, some evidence of negative trend in the higher southern latitudes (30 deg S - 55 deg S) during all seasons, and trends close to zero for all seasons over the 30 deg S - 30 deg N latitude range. For the shortest data period, November 1978 through 1991, there is a clear indication that trends have become more negative in the higher northern latitudes, especially during the winter and spring seasons, and also in the higher southern latitudes in all seasons. A seasonal trend analysis of zonal averages of total ozone mapping spectrometer (TOMS) satellite total ozone data for the comparable period November 1978 through 1991 has also been performed, and moderately good agreement is found between trends in Dobson and TOMS data over this period.

Reinsel, Gregory C.↗

Total ozone trends deduced from Nimbus 7 TOMS data

The Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) on the Nimbus 7 satellite has been measuring the total column amount of ozone over the globe for more than 11 years. Recent improvements in the data analysis have led to a technique for determining and removing drift in the calibration such that the data at the end of the record are precise to + or - 1.3 percent (2-sigma) relative to the data at the beginning of the record. A statistical model, including terms for seasonal variation, linear trend, quasi-biennial oscillation, solar cycle and second-order autoregressive noise has been fit to the TOMS time series of total ozone data. The linear trend obtained when this statistical model is fit to the TOMS data averaged between 65 N and 65 S latitudes is -0.26 + or - 0.14 percent/year or -3 percent over the 11.6 year time period from November 1978 to May 1990. The trend is near zero (0.0002 + or - 0.2 percent/year) at the equator and increases toward both poles.

Stolarski, Richard S.↗