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Record-low Arctic stratospheric ozone in 2020: MLS observations of chemical  processes and comparisons with previous extreme winters
  • +8
  • Gloria L Manney,
  • Nathaniel J Livesey,
  • Michelle L. Santee,
  • Lucien Froidevaux,
  • Alyn Lambert,
  • Zachary Lawrence,
  • Luis Millan,
  • Jessica L. Neu,
  • William G. Read,
  • Michael J. Schwartz,
  • Ryan Fuller
Gloria L Manney
Northwest Research Associates, Northwest Research Associates

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Nathaniel J Livesey
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Jet Propulsion Laboratory
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Michelle L. Santee
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Jet Propulsion Laboratory
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Lucien Froidevaux
JPL/California Institute of Technology, California, USA, JPL/California Institute of Technology, California, USA
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Alyn Lambert
Jet Propulsion Lab (NASA), Jet Propulsion Lab (NASA)
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Zachary Lawrence
NOAA Physical Sciences Laboratory, NOAA Physical Sciences Laboratory
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Luis Millan
Jet propulsion laboratory, Jet propulsion laboratory
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Jessica L. Neu
Jet Propulsion Laboratory / Caltech, Jet Propulsion Laboratory / Caltech
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William G. Read
Jet Propulsion Lab (NASA), Jet Propulsion Lab (NASA)
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Michael J. Schwartz
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology
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Ryan Fuller
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California of Technology, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California of Technology
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Abstract

Aura Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) measurements show that chemical processing was critical to the observed record-low Arctic stratospheric ozone in spring 2020. The 16-year MLS record indicates more denitrification and dehydration in 2019/2020 than in any Arctic winter except 2015/2016. Chlorine activation and ozone depletion began earlier than in any previously observed winter, with evidence of chemical ozone loss starting in November. Active chlorine then persisted as late into spring as it did in 2011. Empirical estimates suggest maximum chemical ozone losses near 2.8 ppmv by late March in both 2011 and 2020. However, peak chlorine activation, and thus peak ozone loss, occurred at lower altitudes in 2020 than in 2011, leading to the lowest Arctic ozone values ever observed at potential temperature levels from ~400–480 K, with similar ozone values to those in 2011 at higher levels.
28 Aug 2020Published in Geophysical Research Letters volume 47 issue 16. 10.1029/2020GL089063