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Multi-Scale Variability of Stratospheric and Tropospheric Ozone and Related Processes

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A special issue of Remote Sensing (ISSN 2072-4292). This special issue belongs to the section "Atmospheric Remote Sensing".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2023) | Viewed by 6983

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Wuke Wang

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Guest Editor

Department of Atmospheric Science, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
Interests: stratospheric ozone; stratospheric dynamics and chemistry; tropospheric ozone; climate change

Prof. Dr. Yang Gao

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Guest Editor

Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science and Ecology (MoE), Institute for Advanced Ocean Study, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
Interests: tropospheric ozone; ozone-climate interactions; air pollution
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Dr. Jiali Luo

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Guest Editor

Colleage of Atmospheric Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China
Interests: stratosphere - troposphere exchange; stratosphere - troposphere interaction

Dr. Manuel Antón

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Guest Editor

Department of Physics, Universidad de Extremadura, 06006 Badajoz, Spain
Interests: solar radiation; clouds; aerosols; water vapor; ozone
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Ozone is one of the most important trace gases in the atmosphere. While ozone in the stratosphere protects life on the earth by absorbing short-wave ultraviolet (UV) radiation, tropospheric ozone is harmful to humans, animals and plants. Stratospheric ozone depletion and the increase in tropospheric ozone are two major environmental issues around the globe. Because of the Montreal Protocol, stratospheric ozone is expected to recover. However, there are still large uncertainties in the recent trends of ozone in the lower stratosphere, although upper stratospheric ozone is increasing. At the same time, tropospheric ozone is still increasing in some regions such as China. On the one hand, changes in stratospheric and tropospheric ozone are related to complex chemical and dynamical processes and can be influenced by weather and climate on different timescales. On the other hand, ozone is also an effective greenhouse gas and exerts strong feedback to weather and climate. Variabilities of stratospheric and tropospheric ozone on different timescales and their interactions with weather and climate are of great significance.

This Special Issue aims at collecting studies covering the multi-scale variability of stratospheric and tropospheric ozone and related processes.

Potential topics for this Special Issue include but are not limited to the following:

Observed changes in stratospheric or tropospheric ozone obtained through in situ and/or remotely sensed observations;
Numerical simulations related to stratospheric or tropospheric ozone;
Dynamical processes influencing stratospheric or tropospheric ozone;
Changes in other atmospheric compositions related to ozone;
Polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs);
The possible reason of the changes in stratospheric or tropospheric ozone;
Emission inventory and its influences on ozone;
Impacts of weather and climate on stratospheric or tropospheric ozone;
Feedbacks of stratospheric or tropospheric ozone to weather and climate;
Impact of ozone variability on UV solar radiation at surface;
The effect of stratosphere-troposphere exchange on ozone.

Prof. Dr. Wuke Wang
Prof. Dr. Yang Gao
Dr. Jiali Luo
Dr. Manuel Antón
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Remote Sensing is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

stratospheric ozone
tropospheric ozone
stratospheric dynamics
stratospheric clouds
stratospheric water vapor
climate change
air pollution
aerosol
anthropogenic emissions
weather-ozone/aerosol interactions

Published Papers (6 papers)

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17 pages, 5526 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Record Low Arctic Stratospheric Ozone in Spring 2020: Measurements of Ground-Based Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy in Ny-Ålesund during 2017–2021

by Qidi Li, Yuhan Luo, Yuanyuan Qian, Ke Dou, Fuqi Si and Wenqing Liu

Remote Sens. 2023, 15(19), 4882; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs15194882 - 09 Oct 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 687

Abstract

The Arctic stratospheric ozone depletion event in spring 2020 was the most severe compared with previous years. We retrieved the critical indicator ozone vertical column density (VCD) using zenith scattered light differential optical absorption spectroscopy (ZSL-DOAS) from March 2017 to September 2021 in Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard, Norway. The average ozone VCD over Ny-Ålesund between 18 March and 18 April 2020 was approximately 274.8 Dobson units (DU), which was only 64.7 ± 0.1% of that recorded in other years (2017, 2018, 2019, and 2021). The daily peak difference was 195.7 DU during this period. The retrieved daily averages of ozone VCDs were compared with satellite observations from the Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment-2 (GOME-2), a Brewer spectrophotometer, and a Système d’Analyze par Observation Zénithale (SAOZ) spectrometer at Ny-Ålesund. As determined using the empirical cumulative density function, ozone VCDs from the ZSL-DOAS dataset were strongly correlated with data from the GOME-2 and SAOZ at lower and higher values, and ozone VCDs from the Brewer instrument were overestimated. The resulting Pearson correlation coefficients were relatively high at 0.97, 0.87, and 0.91, respectively. In addition, the relative deviations were 2.3%, 3.1%, and 3.5%, respectively. Sounding and ERA5 data indicated that severe ozone depletion occurred between mid-March and mid-April 2020 in the 16–20 km altitude range over Ny-Ålesund, which was strongly associated with the overall persistently low temperatures in the winter of 2019/2020. Using ZSL-DOAS observations, we obtained ozone VCDs and provided evidence for the unprecedented ozone depletion during the Arctic spring of 2020. This is essential for the study of polar ozone changes and their effect on climate change and ecological conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multi-Scale Variability of Stratospheric and Tropospheric Ozone and Related Processes)

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13 pages, 4135 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Types of Coupling between the Stratospheric Polar Vortex and Tropospheric Polar Vortex, and Tropospheric Circulation Anomalies Associated with Each Type in Boreal Winter

by Lixin Han, Chunhua Shi and Dong Guo

Remote Sens. 2023, 15(18), 4367; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs15184367 - 05 Sep 2023

Viewed by 835

Abstract

Fifty years of daily ERA5 reanalysis data are employed to investigate the linkages between the strength of the stratospheric polar vortex and the tropospheric polar vortex during the boreal winter. The strong coupling events, anomalies in both the stratospheric and tropospheric polar vortices, can be classified into four configurations, each representing the distinct characteristics of planetary wave vertical propagation and tropospheric circulation anomalies. The findings reveal the following patterns: (1) Strong stratospheric polar vortex and weak tropospheric polar vortex periods are associated with anomalous downward E-P flux from the stratosphere to the troposphere, predominantly induced by planetary waves 1 and 2. Warm anomalies occur along the North Atlantic coasts, while cold anomalies are evident over Eastern Europe and East Asia at the surface. (2) Weak stratospheric polar vortex and strong tropospheric polar vortex periods exhibit anomalous upward E-P flux in high latitudes, with dominant wave 1, and anomalous downward E-P flux in the middle latitudes, dominated by wave 2. Warm anomalies are observed over North America, Western Europe, and the northern side of the Gulf of Oman at the surface. (3) Strong stratospheric polar vortex and strong tropospheric polar vortex periods feature anomalous downward E-P flux in high latitudes, dominated by wave 1, and anomalous upward E-P flux in middle latitudes, with a wave 2 predominance. Warm anomalies prevail over Northeast Asia, Southern Europe, and North America at the surface. (4) Weak stratospheric polar vortex and weak tropospheric polar vortex periods display anomalous upward E-P flux in mid-to-high latitudes, predominantly with wave 1. In contrast to the tropospheric circulation anomalies observed in the third category, this pattern results in the presence of cold anomalies over Northeast Asia, Southern Europe, and North America. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multi-Scale Variability of Stratospheric and Tropospheric Ozone and Related Processes)

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13 pages, 12401 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

The Different Characteristics of the Mass Transport between the Stratosphere and the Troposphere in Two Types of Cyclonic Rossby Wave-Breaking Events

by Huiping Wang, Chunhua Shi and Dong Guo

Remote Sens. 2023, 15(13), 3286; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs15133286 - 26 Jun 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 981

Abstract

Using the ERA5 reanalysis data and trajectory analysis provided by Hysplit4, a comparative analysis was conducted on the primary pathways of air particles and the dominant weather systems in two distinct cases of equatorward and poleward cyclonic Rossby wave-breaking (CWB) events. Subsequently, the characteristics of mass exchange between the stratosphere and troposphere in both CWBs were estimated and discussed. CWB events are frequently associated with the development of an upper front in subtropics and a ridge or blocking in mid-latitudes, leading to a tropopause anomaly characterized by a downward depression in the subtropics and an upward bulge in the mid-latitudes. High potential vorticity (PV) particles exhibit negligible vertical motion and are instead controlled by the circulation of the ridge or blocking, leading to a significant poleward transport. In contrast, low PV particles display noticeable vertical motion, with approximately one fourth of them ascending on the north side of the upper-level jet exit region. After CWB occurrence, approximately 25% of low PV particles moved southward and sank below 500 hPa with the downstream trough’s cold air. Most high PV particles remained in the stratosphere, and low PV particles predominantly remained in the troposphere. Only a small proportion (2% to 6%) of particles underwent stratosphere–troposphere exchange (STE). In equatorward CWB, STE manifested as transport from stratosphere to troposphere, occurring mainly in 24–48 h post breaking with a maximum mass transport of approximately 1.54 × 10¹³ kg. In poleward CWB, STE involved transport from troposphere to stratosphere, occurring mainly within 0–18 h post breaking with a maximum mass transport of approximately 1.48 × 10¹³ kg. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multi-Scale Variability of Stratospheric and Tropospheric Ozone and Related Processes)

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16 pages, 5833 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impacts of Quasi-Biennial Oscillation and El Niño–Southern Oscillation on Stratospheric Isentropic Mixing Process

by Jing Liang, Zhiting Wang, Zhiyi Zhang and Jiali Luo

Remote Sens. 2023, 15(11), 2715; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs15112715 - 23 May 2023

Viewed by 1206

Abstract

The present study investigates the influences of stratospheric quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) and El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on the intensity of stratospheric isentropic mixing based on ERA-Interim and MERRA-2 reanalysis products. It is found that isentropic mixing in the stratosphere is modulated by QBO and ENSO. An analysis of the QBO basis function in the multiple regression model reveals that isentropic mixing in the lower stratosphere is suppressed in the equatorial region in the WQBO phase, while the mixing enhances in the subtropical and mid-latitude regions. This result is not consistent with the Holton–Tan mechanism. However, isentropic mixing in the mid-latitudes becomes stronger in the middle stratosphere in the EQBO phase, which agrees well with the Holton–Tan effect. Composite analysis indicates that QBO-induced changes in the direction and speed of the stratospheric zonal wind can affect wave propagation and wave breaking. In the WQBO phase, zonal wind weakens, and a planetary wave is anomalously converging near 30°N, which leads to an increase in isentropic mixing; on the contrary, wind speed becomes large, and the upward propagation of planetary wave divergence, which lead to the isentropic mixing, becomes weak near 60°N. In the EQBO phase, the wind is relatively weak around 60°N, and the isentropic mixing is strong. Multiple regression analysis reveals the ENSO impact on the intensity of isentropic mixing, which shows weak mixing in the middle and high latitudes and strong mixing in the low latitudes of the lower stratosphere in the El Niño years. In the middle stratosphere, isentropic mixing enhances in the mid-latitude region due to intensified upward propagation of planetary waves but weakens in the polar region. Composite analysis reveals a clear relationship between the mixing strength zones of the El Niño and La Niña years with the position of the polar jet and changes in zonal wind speed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multi-Scale Variability of Stratospheric and Tropospheric Ozone and Related Processes)

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18 pages, 12581 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Stratosphere-to-Troposphere Transport Related to Rossby Wave Breaking and Its Impact on Summertime Ground-Level Ozone in Eastern China

by Hongyue Wang, Wuke Wang, Ming Shangguan, Tianyi Wang, Jin Hong, Shuyun Zhao and Jintao Zhu

Remote Sens. 2023, 15(10), 2647; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs15102647 - 19 May 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1538

Abstract

In summertime, eastern China experiences severe ozone pollution. Stratosphere-to-troposphere transport (STT), as the primary natural source of tropospheric ozone, may have a non-negligible contribution to ground-level ozone. Rossby wave breaking (RWB) is a leading mechanism that triggers STT, which can be categorized as anticyclonic wave breakings (AWBs) and cyclonic wave breakings (CWBs). This study uses an objective method to diagnose AWBs and CWBs and to investigate their influence on the surface ozone in eastern China using ground-based ozone observations, satellite ozone data from AIRS, a stratospheric ozone tracer simulated by CAM-chem, and meteorological fields from MERRA-2. The results indicate that AWBs occur mainly and frequently over northeast China, while CWBs occur mostly over the northern Sea of Japan. STTs triggered by AWBs mainly have sinking areas over the North China Plain, increasing the ground-level ozone concentrations by 5–10 ppbv in eastern China. The downwelling zones in the CWBs extend from Mongolia to the East China Sea, potentially causing an elevation of 5–10 ppbv of ozone in both central and eastern China. This study gives an overview of the impacts of AWBs and CWBs on surface ozone in eastern China and helps to improve our understanding of summertime ozone pollution in eastern China. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multi-Scale Variability of Stratospheric and Tropospheric Ozone and Related Processes)

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16 pages, 2672 KiB

Open AccessTechnical Note

Ozone Trend Analysis in Natal (5.4°S, 35.4°W, Brazil) Using Multi-Linear Regression and Empirical Decomposition Methods over 22 Years of Observations

by Hassan Bencherif, Damaris Kirsch Pinheiro, Olivier Delage, Tristan Millet, Lucas Vaz Peres, Nelson Bègue, Gabriela Bittencourt, Maria Paulete Pereira Martins, Francisco Raimundo da Silva, Luiz Angelo Steffenel, Nkanyiso Mbatha and Vagner Anabor

Remote Sens. 2024, 16(1), 208; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16010208 - 04 Jan 2024

Viewed by 990

Abstract

Ozone plays an important role in the Earth’s atmosphere. It is mainly formed in the tropical stratosphere and is transported by the Brewer–Dobson Circulation to higher latitudes. In the stratosphere, ozone can filter the incoming solar ultraviolet radiation, thus protecting life at the surface. Although tropospheric ozone accounts for only ~10%, it is a powerful GHG and pollutant, harmful to the health of the environment and living beings. Several studies have highlighted biomass burning as a major contributor to the tropospheric ozone budget. Our study focuses on the Natal site (5.40°S, 35.40°W, Brazil), one of the oldest ozone-observing stations in Brazil, which is expected to be influenced by fire plumes in Africa and Brazil. Many studies that examined ozone trends used the total atmospheric columns of ozone, but it is important to assess ozone separately in the troposphere and the stratosphere. In this study, we have used radiosonde ozone profiles and daily TCO measurements to evaluate the variability and changes of both tropospheric and stratospheric ozone separately. The dataset in this study comprises daily total columns of colocalized ozone and weekly ozone profiles collected between 1998 and 2019. The tropospheric columns were estimated by integrating ozone profiles measured by ozone sondes up to the tropopause height. The amount of ozone in the stratosphere was then deduced by subtracting the tropospheric ozone amount from the total amount of ozone measured by the Dobson spectrometer. It was assumed that the amount of ozone in the mesosphere is negligible. This produced three distinct time series of ozone: tropospheric and stratospheric columns as well as total columns. The present study aims to apply a new decomposition method named Empirical Adaptive Wavelet Decomposition (EAWD) that is used to identify the different modes of variability present in the analyzed signal. This is achieved by summing up the most significant Intrinsic Mode Functions (IMF). The Fourier spectrum of the original signal is broken down into spectral bands that frame each IMF obtained by the Empirical Modal Decomposition (EMD). Then, the Empirical Wavelet Transform (EWT) is applied to each interval. Unlike other methods like EMD and multi-linear regression (MLR), the EAWD technique has an advantage in providing better frequency resolution and thus overcoming the phenomenon of mode-mixing, as well as detecting possible breakpoints in the trend mode. The obtained ozone datasets were analyzed using three methods: MLR, EMD, and EAWD. The EAWD algorithm exhibited the advantage of retrieving ~90% to 95% of ozone variability and detecting possible breakpoints in its trend component. Overall, the MRL and EAWD methods showed almost similar trends, a decrease in the stratosphere ozone (−1.3 ± 0.8%) and an increase in the tropospheric ozone (+4.9 ± 1.3%). This study shows the relevance of combining data to separately analyze tropospheric and stratospheric ozone variability and trends. It highlights the advantage of the EAWD algorithm in detecting modes of variability in a geophysical signal without prior knowledge of the underlying forcings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multi-Scale Variability of Stratospheric and Tropospheric Ozone and Related Processes)

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