Annual variation of strato-mesospheric carbon monoxide measured by ground-based Fourier transform infrared spectrometry
We present long-term time-series of strato-mesospheric CO vertical columns measured from stations located in Antarctica, mid-latitudes and the Arctic, covering the period from 1997–2005. The instrument and the measurement technique allows the separation of tropospheric and strato-mesospher...
Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , |
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2007-01-01
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Series: | Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics |
Online Access: | http://www.atmos-chem-phys.net/7/1305/2007/acp-7-1305-2007.pdf |
Summary: | We present long-term time-series of strato-mesospheric CO vertical columns measured from stations located in Antarctica, mid-latitudes and the Arctic, covering the period from 1997–2005. The instrument and the measurement technique allows the separation of tropospheric and strato-mesospheric contributions to the CO column, therefore providing information on the chemistry and dynamics both at low and high altitudes. Data from polar stations show a similar annual variability of strato-mesospheric CO with a strong maximum in late winter and spring. A small enhancement in late summer for some stations, which we call the "summer bulge", can be seen occasionally. Generally, the mid-latitude stations show no significant annual variability of strato-mesospheric CO columns. Measurements were compared with a two-dimensional chemistry-transport model of the middle atmosphere. The annual and latitudinal variations of CO are reproduced well by a model run including thermospheric CO. Comparison with two model scenarios show that the polar winter maximum is due solely to downward transport of thermospheric CO, while CHO<sub>x</sub> chemistry in the stratosphere could probably contribute to the summer maximum. |
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ISSN: | 1680-7316 1680-7324 |