Association of Antarctic polar stratospheric cloud formation on tropospheric cloud systems

作者：Wang Zhien^*; Stephens Graeme; Deshler Terry; Trepte Charles; Parish Thomas; Vane Deborah; Winker Dave; Liu Dong; Adhikari Loknath

来源：Geophysical Research Letters, 2008, 35(13): L13806.

DOI：10.1029/2008GL034209

The formation of polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) is critical to the development of polar ozone loss. However, the mechanisms of PSC formation remain poorly understood, which affects ozone loss models. Here, based on observations by the NASA A-train satellites, we show that 66% +/- 16% and 52% +/- 17% of PSCs over west and east Antarctica during the period June-October 2006 were associated with deep tropospheric cloud systems, with maximum depths exceeding 7 km. The development of such deep tropospheric cloud systems should cool the lower stratosphere through adiabatic and radiative processes, favoring PSC development. These deep systems also transport lower tropospheric air into the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere. These new findings suggest that Antarctic PSC formation is closely connected to tropospheric meteorology and thus governed by synoptic scale dynamics, local topography, and large-scale circulation. More dedicated studies are still needed to better understand Antarctic PSC formation.

• 出版日期2008-7-4