Open AccessChanges in reactive stratospheric gases due to a change in Brewer–Dobson circulation: results from a simple model
Author(s) -
Cook Peter A.,
Roscoe Howard K.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
atmospheric science letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.951
H-Index - 45
ISSN - 1530-261X
DOI - 10.1002/asl.362
Subject(s) - stratosphere , troposphere , atmospheric sciences , environmental science , climatology , circulation (fluid dynamics) , meteorology , thermodynamics , physics , geology
Abstract Amounts of source gases with stratospheric sinks (CFCs, N 2 O, CH 4 ) are affected by changes in Brewer–Dobson circulation. Source gases and their degradation products are important for atmospheric chemistry and climate. With a simple model, we examine how amounts and lifetimes of source gases and products depend on speed of the circulation. Transient results differ from steady‐state and stratospheric results differ from those for stratosphere plus troposphere. Increases in speed increase the stratospheric burden of source gases, but reduce products and reduce total burdens and lifetimes of source gases. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society