The features of ozone quasi—biennial oscillation in tropical stratosphere and its numerical simulation

Abstract

The inlcrunnual variation of the vertical distribution of ozone in the tropical stratosphere and its quasi—biennial oscillation (QBO) is analyzed using HALOE data. The results are compared with the wind QBO. A numerical experiment is carried out to study the effects of wind QBO on the distribution, and variation of ozone in the stratosphere by using (he NCAR interactive chemical, dynamical, and radiative two—dimensional model (SOCRATES). Data analysis shows that the location of the maximum ozone mixing ratio in the stratosphere changes in the meridional and vertical directions, and assumes a quasi—biennial period. The meridional and vertical motion of the maximum mixing ratio leads to a QBO of column ozone and its hemispheric asymmetry. The QBO of the location of the maximum is closely connected with the zonal wind QBO. The data analysis also shows that in the tropical region, the phase of the QBO for ozone density changes many times with height. Numerical simulation shows that the meridional circulation induced by the wind QBO includes three pairs of cells in the stratosphere, which have hemispheric symmetry. The transport of ozone by the induced meridional circulation in various latitudes and heights is the main dynamic cause for the ozone QBO. Cells of the induced circulation in the middle stratosphere (25-35 km) play an important role in producing the ozone QBO.