Ozone in the upper stratosphere and mesosphere

Conference · Sat Jun 20 04:00:00 EDT 1981 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5489439

Prather, M J

A detailed photochemical model of the upper stratosphere and mesosphere is compared with three extensive sets of ozone observations: Atmospheric Explorer-E backscattered ultraviolet experiment (BUV), Nimbus-4 BUV, and rocket flights from Wallops Flight Center (ROCOZ). The Nimbus-4 and rocket observations are most sensitive to ozone between 30 and 50 km, whereas observations from AE-E measure the abundance of ozone up to 70 km. The photochemical model accurately reproduces the observed relationship between BUV intensity and local solar zenith angle, although the absolute calibration on AE-E appears to be in error. The AE-E observations and the model both exhibit a morning-afternoon asymmetry, with more ozone in the morning owing to the build up of HO/sub x/ species in the afternoon. Seasonal changes in atmospheric temperature produce an annual maximum in tropical mesospheric ozone during June-July-August. The amplitude of the observed effect is somewhat larger than calculated by the model. Some problems appear to remain with the presently accepted kinetic rates for HO/sub x/ species in the atmosphere. 71 references, 19 figures, 6 tables.

• Research Organization: Harvard Univ., Cambridge, MA
• OSTI ID: 5489439
• Report Number(s): CONF-790842-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Journal Volume: 86:C6
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

500100* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Basic Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHEMISTRY
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
MESOSPHERE
OZONE
PHOTOCHEMICAL REACTIONS
SOLAR FLUX
STRATOSPHERE