THE TRANSPORT OF TRACE SUBSTANCES IN THE ATMOSPHERE AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS FOR THE GENERAL CIRCULATION OF THE STRATOSPHERE

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1961 · Geofis. pura e appl.

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01992149· OSTI ID:4790826

Newell, R E

Considerations concerning the distribution of artificial radioactive substances in the troposphere point to the occurrence of stratospheric- tropospheric exchange in the region of the discontinuity between the tropical and middle latitude tropopause. Computations of the horizontal flux of ozone in the lower stratosphere and examination of the distribution of the tracer tungsten-185 in the stratosphere suggest that the trace substances are transported northwards from the tropical stratosphere by the action of transient eddy processes in which northward moving parcels of air are sinking and southward moving parcels are rising. The amount of ozone transported varies scasonally and is a maximum in the late winter and spring. The total transport appears sufficient to account for the observed spring buildup of ozone in middle and high latitudes. The eddies invoked are shown to be consistent with the observed countergradient transport of heat in the lower stratosphere, the pattern of stratospheric isentropes and the covariance values found from meridional and vertical velocities. The combined results indicate a new view concerning the me chanics of stratospheric motions as contrasted with the classical ideas of mean meridional motions. (auth)

• Research Organization: Massachusetts Inst. of Tech., Cambridge
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-16-016584
• OSTI ID: 4790826
• Journal Information: Geofis. pura e appl., Journal Name: Geofis. pura e appl. Vol. Vol: 49
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ACIDITY
ALUMINUM
ATMOSPHERE
BUILDING MATERIALS
CAPSULES
CORROSION
DISTRIBUTION
ELECTRICITY
ELECTRODES
GEOLOGY, MINERALOGY, AND METEOROLOGY
HEAT TRANSFER
IN PILE LOOPS
IRRADIATION
MATERIALS TESTING
MEASURED VALUES
MECHANICS
MICROSCOPY
MIXING
MOTION
OXIDATION
OZONE
PARTICLES
PHOTOGRAPHY
PLANNING
PLATINUM
PRODUCTION
RADIOISOTOPES
REACTORS
SOLUTIONS
STAINLESS STEELS
STRATOSPHERE
TRACER TECHNIQUES
TRANSIENTS
TRANSPORT
TROPOPAUSE
TUNGSTEN 185
TURBULENCE
ZIRCONIUM