Chemical ozone loss in the Arctic winter 1991–1992

S. Tilmes (1) , R. Müller (2) , R. J. Salawitch (3) , U. Schmidt (4) , C. R. Webster (3) , H. Oelhaf (5) , C. Camy-Peyret (6) , J. M. Russell Iii (7)

1 NCAR - National Center for Atmospheric Research [Boulder]
2 ICG-1 - Institut für Chemie und Dynamik der Geosphäre - Stratosphäre
3 JPL - Jet Propulsion Laboratory
4 Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main
5 IMK-ASF - Institut für Meteorologie und Klimaforschung - Atmosphärische Spurengase und Fernerkundung
6 LPMAA - Laboratoire de Physique Moleculaire pour l'Atmosphere et l'Astrophysique
7 Hampton University

Chemical ozone loss in winter 1991–1992 is recalculated based on observations of the HALOE satellite instrument, ER-2 aircraft measurements and balloon data. HALOE satellite observations are shown to be reliable in the lower stratosphere below 400 K, at altitudes where profiles are most likely disturbed by the enhanced sulfate aerosols, as a result of the Mt. Pinatubo eruption in June 1991. Very large chemical ozone loss was observed below 400 K from Kiruna balloon observations between December and March 1992. Additionally, for the two winters after the Mt. Pinatubo eruption, HALOE satellite observations show a stronger extent of chemical ozone loss at lower altitudes compared to other Arctic winter between 1991 and 2003. In stipe of already occurring deactivation of chlorine in March 1992, Mipas-B and LPMA balloon observations indicate still chlorine activation at lower altitudes, consistent with observed chemical ozone loss occurring between February and March and April. Enhanced chemical ozone loss in the Arctic winter 1991–1992 as calculated in earlier studies is corroborated here.

Domaines: Océan, Atmosphère

S. Tilmes, R. Müller, R. J. Salawitch, U. Schmidt, C. R. Webster, et al.. Chemical ozone loss in the Arctic winter 1991–1992. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Discussions, 2007, 7 (4), pp.10097-10129. ⟨hal-00328213v1⟩