Dobson total ozone series of Oxford: Reevaluation and applications

Abstract

We have reevaluated the original total ozone measurements made in Oxford between 1924 and 1957, with a view to extending backward in time the existing total ozone series from 1957 to 1975. The Oxford measurements are the oldest Dobson observations in the world. Their prime importance, when coupled with the series from Arosa (since 1926) and Tromsø (since 1935), is for increasing basic understanding of stratospheric ozone and dynamics, while in relation to studies of the recent ozone depletion they constitute a baseline of considerable (and unique) significance and value. However, the reevaluation was made difficult on account of changes to the instruments and wavelengths as the early data collection methods evolved, while unknowns due to the influence of aerosols and the possible presence of dioxides of sulphur and nitrogen created additional problems. Our reevaluation was based on statistical procedures (comparisons with meteorological upper air data and ozone series from Arosa) and also on corrections suggested by Dobson himself The comparisons demonstrate that the data are internally consistent and of good quality. Nevertheless, as post-1957 data were not assessed in this study, the series cannot be recommended at present for trend analysis, though the series can be used for climatological studies. By supplementing the Oxford data with other existing series, we present a European total ozone climatology for 1924-1939, 1950-1965, and 1988-2000 and analyze the data with respect to variables measuring the strength and the temperature of the polar vortex. Copyright 2007 by the American Geophysical Union.