Enhanced NOx in 2006 linked to strong upper stratospheric Arctic vortex

C. E. Randall; V. L. Harvey; C. S. Singleton; P. F. Bernath; C. D. Boone; J. U. Kozyra

doi:10.1029/2006GL027160

Enhanced NOx in 2006 linked to strong upper stratospheric Arctic vortex

C. E. Randall, V. L. Harvey, C. S. Singleton, P. F. Bernath, C. D. Boone, J. U. Kozyra

Chemistry

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Measurements from the Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment show pronounced downward transport of NOx ( NO+ NO2) to the Arctic stratosphere in Feb - Mar 2006. NOx mixing ratios in the upper stratosphere were 3 - 6 times larger than observed previously in either the Arctic or Antarctic, aside from the extraordinary winter of 2003 - 2004. There was only minimal geomagnetic activity in late 2005 and early 2006, however, suggesting that NOx produced via energetic particle precipitation was not significantly elevated. On the other hand, the Arctic polar vortex at stratopause altitudes in Feb 2006 was exceptionally strong, implying greater confinement of air in the polar night. Carbon monoxide data also indicate enhanced confined descent of air from the mesosphere. These results confirm that impacts of EPP on the atmosphere are modulated by meteorological conditions; this has implications for understanding interannual variability and trends in stratospheric NOx and ozone.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	-
Number of pages	5
Journal	Geophysical Research Letters
Volume	33
Issue number	18
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1029/2006GL027160
Publication status	Published - 27 Sept 2006

Keywords

OZONE

Access to Document

10.1029/2006GL027160

Cite this

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title = "Enhanced NOx in 2006 linked to strong upper stratospheric Arctic vortex",

abstract = "Measurements from the Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment show pronounced downward transport of NOx ( NO+ NO2) to the Arctic stratosphere in Feb - Mar 2006. NOx mixing ratios in the upper stratosphere were 3 - 6 times larger than observed previously in either the Arctic or Antarctic, aside from the extraordinary winter of 2003 - 2004. There was only minimal geomagnetic activity in late 2005 and early 2006, however, suggesting that NOx produced via energetic particle precipitation was not significantly elevated. On the other hand, the Arctic polar vortex at stratopause altitudes in Feb 2006 was exceptionally strong, implying greater confinement of air in the polar night. Carbon monoxide data also indicate enhanced confined descent of air from the mesosphere. These results confirm that impacts of EPP on the atmosphere are modulated by meteorological conditions; this has implications for understanding interannual variability and trends in stratospheric NOx and ozone.",

keywords = "OZONE",

author = "Randall, {C. E.} and Harvey, {V. L.} and Singleton, {C. S.} and Bernath, {P. F.} and Boone, {C. D.} and Kozyra, {J. U.}",

year = "2006",

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T1 - Enhanced NOx in 2006 linked to strong upper stratospheric Arctic vortex

AU - Randall, C. E.

AU - Harvey, V. L.

AU - Singleton, C. S.

AU - Bernath, P. F.

AU - Boone, C. D.

AU - Kozyra, J. U.

PY - 2006/9/27

Y1 - 2006/9/27

N2 - Measurements from the Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment show pronounced downward transport of NOx ( NO+ NO2) to the Arctic stratosphere in Feb - Mar 2006. NOx mixing ratios in the upper stratosphere were 3 - 6 times larger than observed previously in either the Arctic or Antarctic, aside from the extraordinary winter of 2003 - 2004. There was only minimal geomagnetic activity in late 2005 and early 2006, however, suggesting that NOx produced via energetic particle precipitation was not significantly elevated. On the other hand, the Arctic polar vortex at stratopause altitudes in Feb 2006 was exceptionally strong, implying greater confinement of air in the polar night. Carbon monoxide data also indicate enhanced confined descent of air from the mesosphere. These results confirm that impacts of EPP on the atmosphere are modulated by meteorological conditions; this has implications for understanding interannual variability and trends in stratospheric NOx and ozone.

AB - Measurements from the Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment show pronounced downward transport of NOx ( NO+ NO2) to the Arctic stratosphere in Feb - Mar 2006. NOx mixing ratios in the upper stratosphere were 3 - 6 times larger than observed previously in either the Arctic or Antarctic, aside from the extraordinary winter of 2003 - 2004. There was only minimal geomagnetic activity in late 2005 and early 2006, however, suggesting that NOx produced via energetic particle precipitation was not significantly elevated. On the other hand, the Arctic polar vortex at stratopause altitudes in Feb 2006 was exceptionally strong, implying greater confinement of air in the polar night. Carbon monoxide data also indicate enhanced confined descent of air from the mesosphere. These results confirm that impacts of EPP on the atmosphere are modulated by meteorological conditions; this has implications for understanding interannual variability and trends in stratospheric NOx and ozone.

KW - OZONE

U2 - 10.1029/2006GL027160

DO - 10.1029/2006GL027160

M3 - Article

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JF - Geophysical Research Letters

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