Interannual changes in stratospheric constituents and global circulation derived from satellite data

William J. Randel, Fei Wu, J. M. Russell, J. M. Zawodny, John Nash

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

17 Scopus citations

Abstract

The characteristics of low-frequency interannual changes in stratospheric constituents are examined using measurements from the HALOE [1991-1999] and SAGE II [1984-1998] satellite instruments. Both the increasing H2O and decreasing CH4 observations from the first several years of HALOE measurements are found to be absent (or partially reversed) in the data since ~ 1996. Ozone and NOx (NO + NO2) observations from HALOE also show 'trends' over ~ 1991-1995 that become flat in the latter record. Comparisons with the longer-term SAGE II measurements of ozone and NO2 demonstrate that changes over the short period 1991-1995 are not representative of decadal-scale trends, but rather are episodic in nature. One possibility is that these changes reflect a prolonged response to the Mt. Pinatubo volcanic eruption in 1991. Stratospheric temperatures and derived circulation statistics are examined for the period 1979-1999. While Pinatubo produced enhanced tropical upwelling in the stratosphere for 1-2 years, other sources of stratospheric variability probably also contribute to low-frequency constituent 'trends.'

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAtmospheric Science Across the Stratopause, 2000
EditorsDavid E. Siskind, Stephen D. Eckermann, Michael E. Summers
PublisherBlackwell Publishing Ltd
Pages271-285
Number of pages15
ISBN (Electronic)9781118668399
ISBN (Print)9780875909813
DOIs
StatePublished - 2000

Publication series

NameGeophysical Monograph Series
Volume123
ISSN (Print)0065-8448
ISSN (Electronic)2328-8779

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