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ATMOS stratospheric deuterated water and implications for troposphere‐stratosphere transport
Author(s) -
Moyer Elisabeth J.,
Irion Fredrick W.,
Yung Yuk L.,
Gunson Michael R.
Publication year - 1996
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 - 10.1029/96gl01489
Subject(s) - stratosphere , troposphere , tropopause , water vapor , atmospheric sciences , deuterium , convection , environmental science , climatology , geology , meteorology , physics , quantum mechanics
Measurements of the isotopic composition of stratospheric water by the ATMOS instrument are used to infer the convective history of stratospheric air. The average water vapor entering the stratosphere is found to be highly depleted of deuterium, with δD w of −670±80 (67% deuterium loss). Model calculations predict, however, that under conditions of thermodynamic equilibrium, dehydration to stratospheric mixing ratios should produce stronger depletion to δD w of −800 to −900 (80–90% deuterium loss). Deuterium enrichment of water vapor in ascending parcels can occur only in conditions of rapid convection; enrichments persisting into the stratosphere require that those conditions continue to near‐tropopause altitudes. We conclude that either the predominant source of water vapor to the uppermost troposphere is enriched convective water, most likely evaporated cloud ice, or troposphere‐stratosphere transport occurs closely associated with tropical deep convection.