Open AccessBiennial variability in aerosol optical depth associated with QBO modulated tropical tropopause
Author(s) -
Abish B.,
Mohanakumar 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.364
Subject(s) - quasi biennial oscillation , tropopause , aerosol , climatology , atmospheric sciences , environmental science , advection , stratosphere , monsoon , geology , geography , meteorology , physics , thermodynamics
The role of quasi‐biennial oscillation (QBO) in determining the distribution of atmospheric aerosols over the north Indian region has been investigated. The results reveal that aerosol optical depth (AOD) undergoes a biennial variability in response to positive and negative phases of QBO. Large aerosol loading occurring in the pre‐monsoon season during westerly phase (positive phase) of QBO is concurrent with a quasi‐horizontal advection, diffusion and gravitational sedimentation. Further analysis of tropopause anomalies confirm that warming (cooling) of the tropical tropopause during the positive (negative) phase of QBO is accompanied by an increase (decrease) in AOD over the study region. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society