Modulation of Solar Irradiance on Geomagnetic Activity: An Idealized
Experiment with WACCM5.
Abstract
Interannual changes in spectral irradiance at UV wavelengths is one of
sources of solar-driven decadal variability in the atmosphere and in
particular in the stratosphere as most of these changes happen at UV
wavelengths. In last recent years, it has been suggested that energetic
electron precipitation (EEP) also contributes not only to alter the
chemical composition of the middle atmosphere but also its dynamical
variability through changes in stratospheric ozone. In this study we
investigate the effects of the two forcings and their interactions. We
employ 35-year long integrations of the atmospheric version of the Whole
Atmosphere Community Climate Model version 5 with different idealized
and stationary solar and geomagnetic forcing terms. Four experiments are
carried out combining high (H) and low (L) solar radiative forcing and
high (7) and low (3) EEP associated with geomagnetic activity: H7 (with
high radiative forcing and high EEP), H3 (high/low), L7 (low/high), and
L3 (low/low). We find that the extension, the seasonality, and the
significance of the effects of these two forcing terms on the
atmospheric variables like temperature, NOx, and ozone are dependent on
the joint effects of both forcing terms. The effect of the impact on
NOx, ozone and temperature was measured, on constant pressure levels, by
means of a Monte Carlo test. Under minimum solar conditions EEP affects
mainly the NOx field on constant pressure levels, even though vertical
cross sections show statistically significant effects on temperature and
ozone in the southern hemisphere during austral winter and the following
spring. Under solar maximum condition the effect of EEP becomes
important. Ozone depletion (augmentation) in the upper levels of the
stratosphere due to more (less) NOx, produced by EEP, allows UV
radiation to produce more (less) ozone in the lower levels of the
stratosphere. Solar irradiance hence plays an important role in
modulating the impact of geomagnetic activity on climate variables.