A comparison of observed (haloe) and modeled (CCM[sub 2]) methane and stratospheric water vapor

Journal Article · Fri Jul 23 04:00:00 EDT 1993 · Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/93GL01764· OSTI ID:6068674

Mote, P W; Holton, J R; Russell, III, J M; Boville, B A

This paper compares measurements of stratospheric methane and water vapor made by the halogen occultation experiment (HALOE) carried on the upper atmosphere research satellite, with modeled results using the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Community Climate Model (CCM2). This model is a recently revised version of the CCM code with improved radiative, convective, and cloud parameterization schemes. The HALOE observations provide a global picture of water vapor densities in the stratosphere, as well as methane profiles, which can also serve as a measure of atmospheric circulation. The model is run for vertical heights from ground to 76km. The oxidation of methane serves as a source term for stratospheric water vapor. The model is able to simulate several observed features: subsidence over a large region in the southern polar vortex; dehydration in the polar vortex; the existance of a layer of the stratosphere extending from the southern vortex into the northern tropics with low vapor pressure, suggesting diffusion of air masses across the polar vortex.

• OSTI ID: 6068674
• Journal Information: Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States), Journal Name: Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States) Vol. 20:14; ISSN GPRLAJ; ISSN 0094-8276
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540120* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
ALKANES
ATMOSPHERIC CIRCULATION
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
DEHYDRATION
DIFFUSION
DISTRIBUTION
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
FLUIDS
GASES
GENERAL CIRCULATION MODELS
HYDROCARBONS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
METHANE
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
REMOTE SENSING
SIMULATION
SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION
STRATOSPHERE
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
VAPOR PRESSURE
VAPORS
WATER VAPOR