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Very early chlorine activation and ozone loss in the Arctic winter 2002–2003
Author(s) -
Tilmes Simone,
Müller Rolf,
Grooß JensUwe,
Höpfner Michael,
Toon Geoffrey C.,
Russell James M.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2003gl018079
Subject(s) - polar vortex , ozone , atmospheric sciences , vortex , ozone depletion , stratosphere , arctic , environmental science , climatology , chlorine , ozone layer , latitude , tracer , meteorology , geology , chemistry , physics , oceanography , geodesy , nuclear physics , organic chemistry
Chlorine activation and chemical ozone destruction is investigated in the Arctic winter 2002–03 using the tracer‐tracer correlation technique. Consistent with very low temperatures in the early vortex, strong chlorine activation at 520 K potential temperature was observed already in mid‐December 2002 by the MkIV balloon and at 400–500 K in early January 2003 from HALOE satellite measurements. Large column ozone loss was derived inside the outer vortex in January (23 ± 9 DU) and substantially greater losses in February (51 ± 9 DU) inside the vortex core in 380–550 K. Calculated ozone loss is similar in February in the two completely separated parts of the vortex. Little influence of mixing in of mid‐latitude is noticeable after the reunification of the vortex. Further, some ozone loss at lower altitudes likely occurred during March and April consistent with polar stratospheric clouds detected by MIPAS‐ENVISAT towards the end of March.