Simulation of ozone depletion in spring 2000 with the Chemical Lagrangian Model of the Stratosphere (CLaMS)

Abstract

Simulations of the development of the chemical composition of the Arctic stratosphere for spring 2000 are made with the Chemical Lagrangian Model of the Stratosphere (CLaMS). The simulations are performed for the entire Northern Hemisphere on four isentropic levels (400–475 K). The initialization in early February is based on observations made from satellite, balloon and ER‐2 aircraft platforms. Tracer‐tracer correlations from balloon‐borne cryosampler (Triple) and ER‐2 measurements, as well as tracer‐PV correlations, are used to derive a comprehensive hemispherical initialization of all relevant chemical trace species. Since significant denitrification has been observed on the ER‐2 flights, a parameterization of the denitrification is derived from NO y and N 2 O observations on board the ER‐2 aircraft and the temperature history of the air masses under consideration. Over the simulation period from 10 February to 20 March, a chemical ozone depletion of up to 60% was derived for 425–450 K potential temperature. Maximum vortex‐averaged chemical ozone loss rates of 50 ppb d −1 or 4 ppb per sunlight hour were simulated in early March 2000 at the 425 and 450 K potential temperature levels. We show comparisons between the measurements and the simulations for the location of the ER‐2 flight paths in late February and March and the location of the Triple balloon flight. The simulated tracer mixing ratios are in good agreement with the measurements. It was not possible to reproduce the exact details of the inorganic chlorine compounds. The simulation agrees with ClO x observations on the Triple balloon flight but overestimates for the ER‐2 flights. The simulated ozone depletion agrees with estimates from other observations in the 425 and 450 K levels, but is underestimated on the 475 K level.