On the mixing-driven formation of the Extratropical Transition Layer (ExTL)

We present a case study on the formation and structure of the Extratropical Transition Layer (ExTL) using in situ observations and a Lagrangian chemical transport model. The results show that the model with mixing parameterized from the large-scale flow deformations well reconstructs the observed asymmetric structure of the ExTL with a deeper transition layer on the cyclonic side of the jet stream. Information from the model and observations are integrated using tracer-tracer correlations between ozone (O₃) and carbon monoxide (CO). Transport of chemical tracers from the stratospheric or tropospheric background to the ExTL through mixing is identified by the change of the CO-O₃ correlation in the CO-O₃ space. The ExTL formation process simulated by the model, therefore, provides a scenario to connect the mixed air parcels to the history of mixing. An estimate of timescales of ExTL formation is made using model experiments. The results show that the fastest formation of the ExTL occurs on the isentropic levels below the subtropical jet core, e.g. around 3 weeks for 310 K, whereas at 360 K level (jet core) the formation of the ExTL needs around 3 months. Overall, this result demonstrates the important role of mixing in transport of trace gases across the tropopause.