Global distribution of CO<sub>2</sub> in the upper troposphere and stratosphere
In this study, we construct a new monthly zonal mean carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) distribution from the upper troposphere to the stratosphere over the 2000–2010 time period. This reconstructed CO<sub>2</sub> product is based on a Lagrangian backward trajectory model driven...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2017-03-01
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| Series: | Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics |
| Online Access: | http://www.atmos-chem-phys.net/17/3861/2017/acp-17-3861-2017.pdf |
| Summary: | In this study, we construct a new monthly zonal mean carbon
dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) distribution from the upper troposphere to the
stratosphere over the 2000–2010 time period. This reconstructed
CO<sub>2</sub> product is based on a Lagrangian backward trajectory model driven
by ERA-Interim reanalysis meteorology and tropospheric CO<sub>2</sub>
measurements. Comparisons of our CO<sub>2</sub> product to extratropical in
situ measurements from aircraft transects and balloon profiles show
remarkably good agreement. The main features of the CO<sub>2</sub> distribution
include (1) relatively large mixing ratios in the tropical stratosphere;
(2) seasonal variability in the extratropics, with relatively high mixing
ratios in the summer and autumn hemisphere in the 15–20 km altitude
layer; and (3) decreasing mixing ratios with increasing altitude from the
upper troposphere to the middle stratosphere ( ∼ 35 km). These
features are consistent with expected variability due to the transport of
long-lived trace gases by the stratospheric Brewer–Dobson circulation. The
method used here to construct this CO<sub>2</sub> product is unique from other
modelling efforts and should be useful for model and satellite validation in
the upper troposphere and stratosphere as a prior for inversion modelling and
to analyse features of stratosphere–troposphere exchange as well as the
stratospheric circulation and its variability. |
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| ISSN: | 1680-7316 1680-7324 |