Theoretical investigation of the influence of a quasi-2-day wave on nonlinear photochemical oscillations in the mesopause region

Abstract

The influence of a quasi-2-day atmospheric wave of given amplitude on the 2-day photochemical oscillations occurring in the mesopause region (heights of 80 to 90 km) in the regime of subharmonic nonlinear response to diurnal variations of solar radiation is investigated. It is revealed that the most significant mechanism is periodic transport of minor gas constituents by the vertical wind associated with the wave. This mechanism may lead to phase locking of photochemical oscillations to wind oscillations and, thereby, to the formation of regular horizontal distribution of minor gas constituents with zonal wave number close to the wave number of the atmospheric wave. The influence on phase locking of two other factors, namely, transport by the zonal mean zonal wind and by the horizontal component of wind of the wave, is also analyzed. Copyright 2007 by the American Geophysical Union.