Articles | Volume 20, issue 24
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-15585-2020
© Author(s) 2020. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-15585-2020
© Author(s) 2020. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
15 Dec 2020
Research article |
| 15 Dec 2020
| 15 Dec 2020
Reappraising the appropriate calculation of a common meteorological quantity: potential temperature
Manuel Baumgartner
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Zentrum für Datenverarbeitung, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
Institute for Atmospheric Physics, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
Ralf Weigel
Institute for Atmospheric Physics, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
Allan H. Harvey
Applied Chemicals and Materials Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Boulder, CO, USA
Felix Plöger
Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Institute of Energy and Climate Research (IEK-7), Jülich, Germany
Institute for Atmospheric and Environmental Research, University of
Wuppertal, Wuppertal, Germany
Ulrich Achatz
Institut für Atmosphäre und Umwelt, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Peter Spichtinger
Institute for Atmospheric Physics, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
Related authors
Birte Klug, Ralf Weigel, Konrad Kandler, Markus Rapp, Manuel Baumgartner, Thomas Böttger, Klaus Dieter Wilhelm, Harald Rott, Thomas Kenntner, Oliver Drescher, and Anna Hundertmark
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-510, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-510, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
The nuclei onto which noctilucent clouds (NLC) form are largely unknown. We investigated the development of an inertia-based particle collector allowing for sampling NLC particles during a sounding rocket flight for off-line single particle physico-chemical analyzes. Computational fluid dynamics simulations (for Mach numbers 1.31 and 1.75) support the design and development process in reference to a basic mechanical concept of particle sampling and sample storage, which is also presented here.
Peter Spichtinger, Patrik Marschalik, and Manuel Baumgartner
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 2035–2060, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-2035-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-2035-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
We investigate the impact of the homogeneous nucleation rate on nucleation events in cirrus. As long as the slope of the rate is represented sufficiently well, the resulting ice crystal number concentrations are not crucially affected. Even a change in the prefactor over orders of magnitude does not change the results. However, the maximum supersaturation during nucleation events shows strong changes. This quantity should be used for diagnostics instead of the popular nucleation threshold.
Michael A. Olesik, Jakub Banaśkiewicz, Piotr Bartman, Manuel Baumgartner, Simon Unterstrasser, and Sylwester Arabas
Geosci. Model Dev., 15, 3879–3899, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-15-3879-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-15-3879-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
In systems such as atmospheric clouds, droplets undergo growth through condensation of vapor. The broadness of the resultant size spectrum of droplets influences precipitation likelihood and the radiative properties of clouds. One of the inherent limitations of simulations of the problem is the so-called numerical diffusion causing overestimation of the spectrum width, hence the term numerical broadening. In the paper, we take a closer look at one of the algorithms used in this context: MPDATA.
Manuel Baumgartner, Christian Rolf, Jens-Uwe Grooß, Julia Schneider, Tobias Schorr, Ottmar Möhler, Peter Spichtinger, and Martina Krämer
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 65–91, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-65-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-65-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
An important mechanism for the appearance of ice particles in the upper troposphere at low temperatures is homogeneous nucleation. This process is commonly described by the
Koop line, predicting the humidity at freezing. However, laboratory measurements suggest that the freezing humidities are above the Koop line, motivating the present study to investigate the influence of different physical parameterizations on the homogeneous freezing with the help of a detailed numerical model.
Julia Schneider, Kristina Höhler, Robert Wagner, Harald Saathoff, Martin Schnaiter, Tobias Schorr, Isabelle Steinke, Stefan Benz, Manuel Baumgartner, Christian Rolf, Martina Krämer, Thomas Leisner, and Ottmar Möhler
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 14403–14425, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-14403-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-14403-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Homogeneous freezing is a relevant mechanism for the formation of cirrus clouds in the upper troposphere. Based on an extensive set of homogeneous freezing experiments at the AIDA chamber with aqueous sulfuric acid aerosol, we provide a new fit line for homogeneous freezing onset conditions of sulfuric acid aerosol focusing on cirrus temperatures. In the atmosphere, homogeneous freezing thresholds have important implications on the cirrus cloud occurrence and related cloud radiative effects.
Ralf Weigel, Christoph Mahnke, Manuel Baumgartner, Martina Krämer, Peter Spichtinger, Nicole Spelten, Armin Afchine, Christian Rolf, Silvia Viciani, Francesco D'Amato, Holger Tost, and Stephan Borrmann
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 13455–13481, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-13455-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-13455-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
In July and August 2017, the StratoClim mission took place in Nepal with eight flights of the M-55 Geophysica at up to 20 km in the Asian monsoon anticyclone. New particle formation (NPF) next to cloud ice was detected in situ by abundant nucleation-mode aerosols (> 6 nm) along with ice particles (> 3 µm). NPF was observed mainly below the tropopause, down to 15 % being non-volatile residues. Observed intra-cloud NPF indicates its importance for the composition in the tropical tropopause layer.
Ralf Weigel, Christoph Mahnke, Manuel Baumgartner, Antonis Dragoneas, Bärbel Vogel, Felix Ploeger, Silvia Viciani, Francesco D'Amato, Silvia Bucci, Bernard Legras, Beiping Luo, and Stephan Borrmann
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 11689–11722, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-11689-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-11689-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
In July and August 2017, eight StratoClim mission flights of the Geophysica reached up to 20 km in the Asian monsoon anticyclone. New particle formation (NPF) was identified in situ by abundant nucleation-mode aerosols (6–15 nm in diameter) with mixing ratios of up to 50 000 mg−1. NPF occurred most frequently at 12–16 km with fractions of non-volatile residues of down to 15 %. Abundance and productivity of observed NPF indicate its ability to promote the Asian tropopause aerosol layer.
Tim Lüttmer, Annette Miltenberger, and Peter Spichtinger
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 10245–10265, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-10245-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-10245-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We investigate ice formation pathways in a warm conveyor belt case study. We employ a multi-phase microphysics scheme that distinguishes between ice from different nucleation processes. Ice crystals in the cirrus outflow mostly stem from in situ formation. Hence, they were formed directly from the vapor phase. Sedimentational redistribution modulates cirrus properties and leads to disagreement between cirrus origin classifications based on thermodynamic history and nucleation processes.
Sina Jost, Ralf Weigel, Konrad Kandler, Luis Valero, Jessica Girdwood, Chris Stopford, Warren Stanley, Luca K. Eichhorn, Christian von Glahn, and Holger Tost
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 18, 4397–4412, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-4397-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-4397-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
For the balloon-borne detection of particles (diameter 0.4 < Dp < 40 µm), the Universal Cloud and Aerosol Sounding System (UCASS) was used, whose sample flow is determined by GPS-measured ascent rates. In flights, actual UCASS sample flows rarely match the ascent rates. Errors are minimised by real-time detection of the UCASS flows, e.g. by implementing a thermal flow sensor (TFS) within the UCASS. The TFSs were tested in flight and calibrated at up to 10 m s−1 and at variable angles of attack.
Corinna Kloss, Gwenaël Berthet, Pasquale Sellitto, Irene Bartolome Garcia, Emmanuel Briaud, Rubel Chandra Das, Stéphane Chevrier, Nicolas Dumelié, Lilian Joly, Thomas Lecas, Pauline Marbach, Felix Ploeger, Jean-Baptiste Renard, Jean-Paul Vernier, Frank G. Wienhold, and Michaela I. Hegglin
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2091, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2091, 2025
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (ACP).
Short summary
Short summary
In October 2022, we detected volcanic particles in the stratosphere over France, linked to the January 2022 Hunga eruption in the South Pacific. Found between 17 and 23 km altitude, they were traced back to the tropics using trajectory simulations and satellite data. Their optical properties matched those in the Southern Hemisphere. The particles spread across the Northern Hemisphere, reflecting sunlight and slightly cooling the surface—a small but non-negligible effect.
Helena Zoe Schuh, Philipp Reutter, Stefan Niebler, and Peter Spichtinger
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2498, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2498, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We studied ice-supersaturated regions in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere where high humidity can lead to cloud and contrail formation. Using data from 2010 to 2020, we found these regions to have fractal characteristics by applying an area-perimeter method. The fractal dimension follows a seasonal cycle. Our results can help improve climate models and have possible implications on contrail mitigation.
Philipp Reutter and Peter Spichtinger
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2474, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2474, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We present a new technique to determine the tropopause based on the gradient of relative humidity over ice. This reflects the character of the tropopause as a transport barrier very well, both in individual vertical profiles and in the long-term average. The results of the investigations using radio sondes are also supported by theoretical considerations.
Frederik Harzer, Hella Garny, Felix Ploeger, J. Moritz Menken, and Thomas Birner
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2195, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2195, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We study ozone transport in the extratropical lowermost stratosphere using potential temperature as vertical coordinate, thereby distinguishing adiabatic and diabatic processes. We find that on top of known dominant transport processes (quasi-horizontal mixing, slow diabatic descent) vertical mixing plays an important role near the tropopause. Our findings are relevant for understanding ozone's role in climate including its imprint on tropospheric ozone via stratosphere-troposphere air exchange.
Tim Lüttmer, Peter Spichtinger, and Axel Seifert
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 4505–4529, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-4505-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-4505-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We investigate ice formation pathways in idealized convective clouds using a novel microphysics scheme that distinguishes between five ice classes each with their own unique formation mechanism. Ice crystals from rime splintering form the lowermost layer of ice crystals around the updraft core. The majority of ice crystals in the anvil of the convective cloud stems from frozen droplets. Ice stemming from homogeneous and deposition nucleation was only relevant in the overshoot.
Laura N. Saunders, Kaley A. Walker, Gabriele P. Stiller, Thomas von Clarmann, Florian Haenel, Hella Garny, Harald Bönisch, Chris D. Boone, Ariana E. Castillo, Andreas Engel, Johannes C. Laube, Marianna Linz, Felix Ploeger, David A. Plummer, Eric A. Ray, and Patrick E. Sheese
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 4185–4209, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-4185-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-4185-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We present a 17-year stratospheric age-of-air dataset derived from ACE-FTS satellite measurements of sulfur hexafluoride. This is the longest continuous, global, and vertically resolved age of air time series available to date. In this paper, we show that this dataset agrees well with age-of-air datasets based on measurements from other instruments. We also present trends in the midlatitude lower stratosphere that indicate changes in the global circulation that are predicted by climate models.
Florian Voet, Felix Ploeger, Johannes Laube, Peter Preusse, Paul Konopka, Jens-Uwe Grooß, Jörn Ungermann, Björn-Martin Sinnhuber, Michael Höpfner, Bernd Funke, Gerald Wetzel, Sören Johansson, Gabriele Stiller, Eric Ray, and Michaela I. Hegglin
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 3541–3565, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-3541-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-3541-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
This study refines estimates of the stratospheric “age of air”, a measure of how long air circulates in the stratosphere. By analyzing correlations between trace gases measurable by satellites, the research introduces a method that reduces uncertainties and detects small-scale atmospheric features. This improved understanding of stratospheric circulation is crucial for better climate models and predictions, enhancing our ability to assess the impacts of climate change on the atmosphere.
Paul Konopka, Felix Ploeger, Francesco D'Amato, Teresa Campos, Marc von Hobe, Shawn B. Honomichl, Peter Hoor, Laura L. Pan, Michelle L. Santee, Silvia Viciani, Kaley A. Walker, and Michaela I. Hegglin
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1155, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-1155, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We present an improved version of the Chemical Lagrangian Model of the Stratosphere (CLaMS-3.0), which better represents transport from the lower atmosphere to the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere. By refining grid resolution and improving convection representation, the model more accurately simulates carbon monoxide transport. Comparisons with satellite and in situ observations highlight its ability to capture seasonal variations and improve our understanding of atmospheric transport.
Birte Klug, Ralf Weigel, Konrad Kandler, Markus Rapp, Manuel Baumgartner, Thomas Böttger, Klaus Dieter Wilhelm, Harald Rott, Thomas Kenntner, Oliver Drescher, and Anna Hundertmark
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-510, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-510, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
The nuclei onto which noctilucent clouds (NLC) form are largely unknown. We investigated the development of an inertia-based particle collector allowing for sampling NLC particles during a sounding rocket flight for off-line single particle physico-chemical analyzes. Computational fluid dynamics simulations (for Mach numbers 1.31 and 1.75) support the design and development process in reference to a basic mechanical concept of particle sampling and sample storage, which is also presented here.
Kimberlee Dubé, Susann Tegtmeier, Felix Ploeger, and Kaley A. Walker
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 1433–1447, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-1433-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-1433-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
The transport rate of air in the stratosphere has changed in response to human emissions of greenhouse gases and ozone-depleting substances. This transport rate can be approximated using measurements of long-lived trace gases. We use observations and model results to derive anomalies and trends in the mean rate of stratospheric air transport. We find that air in the Northern Hemisphere aged by up to 0.3 years per decade relative to air in the Southern Hemisphere over 2004–2017.
Xiaolu Yan, Paul Konopka, Felix Ploeger, and Aurélien Podglajen
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 1289–1305, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-1289-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-1289-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Our study finds that the air mass fractions (AMFs) from the Asian boundary layer (ABL) to the polar regions are about 1.5 times larger than those from the same latitude band in the Southern Hemisphere. The transport of AMFs from the ABL to the polar vortex primarily occurs above 20 km and over timescales exceeding 2 years. Our analysis reveals a strong correlation between the polar pollutants and the AMFs from the ABL. About 20 % of SF6 in the polar stratosphere originates from the ABL.
Franziska Weyland, Peter Hoor, Daniel Kunkel, Thomas Birner, Felix Plöger, and Katharina Turhal
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 1227–1252, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-1227-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-1227-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
The lowermost stratosphere (LMS) plays an important role in the Earth's climate, containing strong gradients of ozone and water vapor. Our results indicate that the thermodynamic structure of the LMS was changing between 1979–2019 in response to anthropogenic climate change and the recovery of stratospheric ozone, also indicating large-scale circulation changes. We find that both the upper and the lower LMS boundaries show an (upward) trend, which has implications for the LMS mass.
Rasul Baikhadzhaev, Felix Ploeger, Peter Preusse, Manfred Ern, and Thomas Birner
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-4088, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-4088, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
Across four reanalyses, shallow branch of the stratospheric overturning circulation was found to be driven by the largest waves with wavenumbers 1 to 3, and deep branch of the circulation was found to be driven by smaller-scale waves. Yet, the height of the level separating the branches is depended on the reanalysis considered. Thus using the appropriate separation levels in model inter-comparisons could reduce the spread between models regarding climatology and trends in the circulation.
Katharina Turhal, Felix Plöger, Jan Clemens, Thomas Birner, Franziska Weyland, Paul Konopka, and Peter Hoor
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 13653–13679, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-13653-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-13653-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
The tropopause separates the troposphere, where many greenhouse gases originate, from the stratosphere. This study examines a tropopause defined by potential vorticity – an analogue for angular momentum that changes sharply in the subtropics, creating a transport barrier. Between 1980 and 2017, this tropopause shifted poleward at lower altitudes and equatorward above, suggesting height-dependent changes in atmospheric circulation that may affect greenhouse gas distribution and global warming.
Alena Kosareva, Stamen Dolaptchiev, Peter Spichtinger, and Ulrich Achatz
Geosci. Model Dev. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-2024-193, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-2024-193, 2024
Revised manuscript accepted for GMD
Short summary
Short summary
This study improves how we predict ice formation in clouds by accounting for variable ice sizes and different weather conditions. Using simulations, we developed a more accurate method that works efficiently, making it suitable for application in weather and climate prediction models. The new approach is numerically verified and provides precise predictions of ice formation events and reliable estimates of key parameters.
Hongyue Wang, Mijeong Park, Mengchu Tao, Cristina Peña-Ortiz, Nuria Pilar Plaza, Felix Ploeger, and Paul Konopka
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3260, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3260, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We investigated how stratospheric water vapor behaves over the Asian and North American monsoons. Using a method that tracks air movement, we recreated the moisture patterns. Our results show that the moisture in monsoon regions is primarily controlled by largescale air temperatures, while the North American monsoon is influenced by distant transport. These findings enhance our understanding of summertime stratospheric water vapor changes and offer insights into climate feedback mechanisms.
Daniel Köhler, Philipp Reutter, and Peter Spichtinger
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 10055–10072, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-10055-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-10055-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
In this work, the influence of humidity on the properties of the tropopause is studied. The tropopause is the interface between the troposphere and the stratosphere and represents a barrier for the transport of air masses between the troposphere and the stratosphere. We consider not only the tropopause itself, but also a layer around it called the tropopause inversion layer (TIL). It is shown that the moister the underlying atmosphere is, the more this layer acts as a barrier.
Cristina Peña-Ortiz, Nuria Pilar Plaza, David Gallego, and Felix Ploeger
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 5457–5478, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-5457-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-5457-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Although water vapour (H2O) in the lower stratosphere is only a few molecules among 1 million air molecules, atmospheric radiative forcing and surface temperature are sensitive to changes in its concentration. Monsoon regions play a key role in H2O transport and its concentration in the lower stratosphere. We show how the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) has a major impact on H2O over the Asian monsoon during August through changes in temperature caused by QBO modulation of tropical clouds.
Martin Ebert, Ralf Weigel, Stephan Weinbruch, Lisa Schneider, Konrad Kandler, Stefan Lauterbach, Franziska Köllner, Felix Plöger, Gebhard Günther, Bärbel Vogel, and Stephan Borrmann
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 4771–4788, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-4771-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-4771-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Particles were collected during the flight campaign StratoClim 2017 within the Asian tropopause aerosol layer (ATAL). Refractory particles from seven different flights were characterized by scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM, TEM). The most abundant refractory particles are silicates and non-volatile organics. The most important sources are combustion processes at the ground and the agitation of soil material. During one flight, small cinnabar particles (HgS) were also detected.
Young-Ha Kim, Georg Sebastian Voelker, Gergely Bölöni, Günther Zängl, and Ulrich Achatz
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 3297–3308, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-3297-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-3297-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
The quasi-biennial oscillation, which governs the tropical stratospheric circulation, is driven primarily by small-scale wave processes. We employ a novel method to realistically represent these wave processes in a global model, thereby revealing an aspect of the oscillation that has not been identified before. We find that the oblique propagation of waves, a process neglected by existing climate models, plays a pivotal role in the stratospheric circulation and its oscillation.
Felix Ploeger, Thomas Birner, Edward Charlesworth, Paul Konopka, and Rolf Müller
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 2033–2043, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-2033-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-2033-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
We present a novel mechanism of how regional anomalies in water vapour concentrations in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere impact regional atmospheric circulation systems. These impacts include a displaced upper-level Asian monsoon circulation and strengthened prevailing westerlies in the Pacific region. Current climate models have biases in simulating these regional water vapour anomalies and circulation impacts, but the biases can be avoided by improving the model transport.
Jan Clemens, Bärbel Vogel, Lars Hoffmann, Sabine Griessbach, Nicole Thomas, Suvarna Fadnavis, Rolf Müller, Thomas Peter, and Felix Ploeger
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 763–787, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-763-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-763-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
The source regions of the Asian tropopause aerosol layer (ATAL) are debated. We use balloon-borne measurements of the layer above Nainital (India) in August 2016 and atmospheric transport models to find ATAL source regions. Most air originated from the Tibetan plateau. However, the measured ATAL was stronger when more air originated from the Indo-Gangetic Plain and weaker when more air originated from the Pacific. Hence, the results indicate important anthropogenic contributions to the ATAL.
Bärbel Vogel, C. Michael Volk, Johannes Wintel, Valentin Lauther, Jan Clemens, Jens-Uwe Grooß, Gebhard Günther, Lars Hoffmann, Johannes C. Laube, Rolf Müller, Felix Ploeger, and Fred Stroh
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 317–343, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-317-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-317-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Over the Indian subcontinent, polluted air is rapidly uplifted to higher altitudes during the Asian monsoon season. We present an assessment of vertical transport in this region using different wind data provided by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), as well as high-resolution aircraft measurements. In general, our findings confirm that the newest ECMWF reanalysis product, ERA5, yields a better representation of transport compared to the predecessor, ERA-Interim.
Francesco Cairo, Martina Krämer, Armin Afchine, Guido Di Donfrancesco, Luca Di Liberto, Sergey Khaykin, Lorenza Lucaferri, Valentin Mitev, Max Port, Christian Rolf, Marcel Snels, Nicole Spelten, Ralf Weigel, and Stephan Borrmann
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 16, 4899–4925, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-4899-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-16-4899-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Cirrus clouds have been observed over the Himalayan region between 10 km and the tropopause at 17–18 km. Data from backscattersonde, hygrometers, and particle cloud spectrometers have been compared to assess their consistency. Empirical relationships between optical parameters accessible with remote sensing lidars and cloud microphysical parameters (such as ice water content, particle number and surface area density, and particle aspherical fraction) have been established.
Paul Konopka, Christian Rolf, Marc von Hobe, Sergey M. Khaykin, Benjamin Clouser, Elisabeth Moyer, Fabrizio Ravegnani, Francesco D'Amato, Silvia Viciani, Nicole Spelten, Armin Afchine, Martina Krämer, Fred Stroh, and Felix Ploeger
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 12935–12947, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-12935-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-12935-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
We studied water vapor in a critical region of the atmosphere, the Asian summer monsoon anticyclone, using rare in situ observations. Our study shows that extremely high water vapor values observed in the stratosphere within the Asian monsoon anticyclone still undergo significant freeze-drying and that water vapor concentrations set by the Lagrangian dry point are a better proxy for the stratospheric water vapor budget than rare observations of enhanced water mixing ratios.
Frederik Harzer, Hella Garny, Felix Ploeger, Harald Bönisch, Peter Hoor, and Thomas Birner
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 10661–10675, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-10661-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-10661-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
We study the statistical relation between year-by-year fluctuations in winter-mean ozone and the strength of the stratospheric polar vortex. In the latitude–pressure plane, regression analysis shows that anomalously weak polar vortex years are associated with three pronounced local ozone maxima over the polar cap relative to the winter climatology. These response maxima primarily reflect the non-trivial combination of different ozone transport processes with varying relative contributions.
Silke Groß, Tina Jurkat-Witschas, Qiang Li, Martin Wirth, Benedikt Urbanek, Martina Krämer, Ralf Weigel, and Christiane Voigt
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 8369–8381, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-8369-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-8369-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Aviation-emitted aerosol can have an impact on cirrus clouds. We present optical and microphysical properties of mid-latitude cirrus clouds which were formed under the influence of aviation-emitted aerosol or which were formed under rather pristine conditions. We find that cirrus clouds affected by aviation-emitted aerosol show larger values of the particle linear depolarization ratio, larger mean effective ice particle diameters and decreased ice particle number concentrations.
Robert Wagner, Alexander D. James, Victoria L. Frankland, Ottmar Möhler, Benjamin J. Murray, John M. C. Plane, Harald Saathoff, Ralf Weigel, and Martin Schnaiter
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 6789–6811, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-6789-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-6789-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
Polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) play an important role in the depletion of stratospheric ozone. They can consist of different chemical species, including crystalline nitric acid hydrates. We found that mineral dust or meteoric ablation material can efficiently catalyse the formation of a specific phase of nitric acid dihydrate crystals. We determined predominant particle shapes and infrared optical properties of these crystals, which are important inputs for remote sensing detection of PSCs.
Peter Spichtinger, Patrik Marschalik, and Manuel Baumgartner
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 2035–2060, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-2035-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-2035-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
We investigate the impact of the homogeneous nucleation rate on nucleation events in cirrus. As long as the slope of the rate is represented sufficiently well, the resulting ice crystal number concentrations are not crucially affected. Even a change in the prefactor over orders of magnitude does not change the results. However, the maximum supersaturation during nucleation events shows strong changes. This quantity should be used for diagnostics instead of the popular nucleation threshold.
Bernard Legras, Clair Duchamp, Pasquale Sellitto, Aurélien Podglajen, Elisa Carboni, Richard Siddans, Jens-Uwe Grooß, Sergey Khaykin, and Felix Ploeger
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 14957–14970, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-14957-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-14957-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
The long-duration atmospheric impact of the Tonga eruption in January 2022 is a plume of water and sulfate aerosols in the stratosphere that persisted for more than 6 months. We study this evolution using several satellite instruments and analyse the unusual behaviour of this plume as sulfates and water first moved down rapidly and then separated into two layers. We also report the self-organization in compact and long-lived patches.
Mohamadou A. Diallo, Felix Ploeger, Michaela I. Hegglin, Manfred Ern, Jens-Uwe Grooß, Sergey Khaykin, and Martin Riese
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 14303–14321, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-14303-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-14303-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
The quasi-biennial oacillation disruption events in both 2016 and 2020 decreased lower-stratospheric water vapour and ozone. Differences in the strength and depth of the anomalous lower-stratospheric circulation and ozone are due to differences in tropical upwelling and cold-point temperature induced by lower-stratospheric planetary and gravity wave breaking. The differences in water vapour are due to higher cold-point temperature in 2020 induced by Australian wildfire.
Oliver Appel, Franziska Köllner, Antonis Dragoneas, Andreas Hünig, Sergej Molleker, Hans Schlager, Christoph Mahnke, Ralf Weigel, Max Port, Christiane Schulz, Frank Drewnick, Bärbel Vogel, Fred Stroh, and Stephan Borrmann
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 13607–13630, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-13607-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-13607-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
This paper clarifies the chemical composition of the Asian tropopause aerosol layer (ATAL) by means of airborne in situ aerosol mass spectrometry (AMS). Ammonium nitrate and organics are found to significantly contribute to the particle layer, while sulfate does not show a layered structure. An analysis of the single-particle mass spectra suggests that secondary particle formation and subsequent growth dominate the particle composition, rather than condensation on pre-existing primary particles.
Antonis Dragoneas, Sergej Molleker, Oliver Appel, Andreas Hünig, Thomas Böttger, Markus Hermann, Frank Drewnick, Johannes Schneider, Ralf Weigel, and Stephan Borrmann
Atmos. Meas. Tech., 15, 5719–5742, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-5719-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-15-5719-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
The ERICA is a specially designed aerosol particle mass spectrometer for in situ, real-time chemical composition analysis of aerosols. It can operate completely autonomously, in the absence of an instrument operator. Its design has enabled its operation under harsh conditions, like those experienced in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere, aboard unpressurized high-altitude research aircraft. The instrument has successfully participated in several aircraft operations around the world.
Paul Konopka, Mengchu Tao, Marc von Hobe, Lars Hoffmann, Corinna Kloss, Fabrizio Ravegnani, C. Michael Volk, Valentin Lauther, Andreas Zahn, Peter Hoor, and Felix Ploeger
Geosci. Model Dev., 15, 7471–7487, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-15-7471-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-15-7471-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Pure trajectory-based transport models driven by meteorology derived from reanalysis products (ERA5) take into account only the resolved, advective part of transport. That means neither mixing processes nor unresolved subgrid-scale advective processes like convection are included. The Chemical Lagrangian Model of the Stratosphere (CLaMS) includes these processes. We show that isentropic mixing dominates unresolved transport. The second most important transport process is unresolved convection.
Liubov Poshyvailo-Strube, Rolf Müller, Stephan Fueglistaler, Michaela I. Hegglin, Johannes C. Laube, C. Michael Volk, and Felix Ploeger
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 9895–9914, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-9895-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-9895-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Brewer–Dobson circulation (BDC) controls the composition of the stratosphere, which in turn affects radiation and climate. As the BDC cannot be measured directly, it is necessary to infer its strength and trends indirectly. In this study, we test in the
model worlddifferent methods for estimating the mean age of air trends based on a combination of stratospheric water vapour and methane data. We also provide simple practical advice of a more reliable estimation of the mean age of air trends.
Suvarna Fadnavis, Prashant Chavan, Akash Joshi, Sunil M. Sonbawne, Asutosh Acharya, Panuganti C. S. Devara, Alexandru Rap, Felix Ploeger, and Rolf Müller
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 7179–7191, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-7179-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-7179-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
We show that large amounts of anthropogenic aerosols are transported from South Asia to the northern Indian Ocean. These aerosols are then lifted into the UTLS by the ascending branch of the Hadley circulation. They are further transported to the Southern Hemisphere and downward via westerly ducts over the tropical Atlantic and Pacific. These aerosols increase tropospheric heating, resulting in an increase in water vapor, which is then transported to the UTLS.
Michael A. Olesik, Jakub Banaśkiewicz, Piotr Bartman, Manuel Baumgartner, Simon Unterstrasser, and Sylwester Arabas
Geosci. Model Dev., 15, 3879–3899, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-15-3879-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-15-3879-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
In systems such as atmospheric clouds, droplets undergo growth through condensation of vapor. The broadness of the resultant size spectrum of droplets influences precipitation likelihood and the radiative properties of clouds. One of the inherent limitations of simulations of the problem is the so-called numerical diffusion causing overestimation of the spectrum width, hence the term numerical broadening. In the paper, we take a closer look at one of the algorithms used in this context: MPDATA.
Felix Ploeger and Hella Garny
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 5559–5576, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-5559-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-5559-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
We investigate hemispheric asymmetries in stratospheric circulation changes in the last 2 decades in model simulations and atmospheric observations. We find that observed trace gas changes can be explained by a structural circulation change related to a deepening circulation in the Northern Hemisphere relative to the Southern Hemisphere. As this asymmetric signal is small compared to internal variability observed circulation trends over the recent past are not in contradiction to climate models.
Jan Clemens, Felix Ploeger, Paul Konopka, Raphael Portmann, Michael Sprenger, and Heini Wernli
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 3841–3860, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-3841-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-3841-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Highly polluted air flows from the surface to higher levels of the atmosphere during the Asian summer monsoon. At high levels, the air is trapped within eddies. Here, we study how air masses can leave the eddy within its cutoff, how they distribute, and how their chemical composition changes. We found evidence for transport from the eddy to higher latitudes over the North Pacific and even Alaska. During transport, trace gas concentrations within cutoffs changed gradually, showing steady mixing.
Stefan Niebler, Annette Miltenberger, Bertil Schmidt, and Peter Spichtinger
Weather Clim. Dynam., 3, 113–137, https://doi.org/10.5194/wcd-3-113-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/wcd-3-113-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
We use machine learning to create a network that detects and classifies four types of synoptic-scale weather fronts from ERA5 atmospheric reanalysis data. We present an application of our method, showing its use case in a scientific context. Additionally, our results show that multiple sources of training data are necessary to perform well on different regions, implying differences within those regions. Qualitative evaluation shows that the results are physically plausible.
Manuel Baumgartner, Christian Rolf, Jens-Uwe Grooß, Julia Schneider, Tobias Schorr, Ottmar Möhler, Peter Spichtinger, and Martina Krämer
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 65–91, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-65-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-65-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
An important mechanism for the appearance of ice particles in the upper troposphere at low temperatures is homogeneous nucleation. This process is commonly described by the
Koop line, predicting the humidity at freezing. However, laboratory measurements suggest that the freezing humidities are above the Koop line, motivating the present study to investigate the influence of different physical parameterizations on the homogeneous freezing with the help of a detailed numerical model.
Christoph Mahnke, Ralf Weigel, Francesco Cairo, Jean-Paul Vernier, Armin Afchine, Martina Krämer, Valentin Mitev, Renaud Matthey, Silvia Viciani, Francesco D'Amato, Felix Ploeger, Terry Deshler, and Stephan Borrmann
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 15259–15282, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-15259-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-15259-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
In 2017, in situ aerosol measurements were conducted aboard the M55 Geophysica in the Asian monsoon region. The vertical particle mixing ratio profiles show a distinct layer (15–18.5 km), the Asian tropopause aerosol layer (ATAL). The backscatter ratio (BR) was calculated based on the aerosol size distributions and compared with the BRs detected by a backscatter probe and a lidar aboard M55, and by the CALIOP lidar. All four methods show enhanced BRs in the ATAL altitude range (max. at 17.5 km).
Julia Schneider, Kristina Höhler, Robert Wagner, Harald Saathoff, Martin Schnaiter, Tobias Schorr, Isabelle Steinke, Stefan Benz, Manuel Baumgartner, Christian Rolf, Martina Krämer, Thomas Leisner, and Ottmar Möhler
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 14403–14425, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-14403-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-14403-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Homogeneous freezing is a relevant mechanism for the formation of cirrus clouds in the upper troposphere. Based on an extensive set of homogeneous freezing experiments at the AIDA chamber with aqueous sulfuric acid aerosol, we provide a new fit line for homogeneous freezing onset conditions of sulfuric acid aerosol focusing on cirrus temperatures. In the atmosphere, homogeneous freezing thresholds have important implications on the cirrus cloud occurrence and related cloud radiative effects.
Ralf Weigel, Christoph Mahnke, Manuel Baumgartner, Martina Krämer, Peter Spichtinger, Nicole Spelten, Armin Afchine, Christian Rolf, Silvia Viciani, Francesco D'Amato, Holger Tost, and Stephan Borrmann
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 13455–13481, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-13455-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-13455-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
In July and August 2017, the StratoClim mission took place in Nepal with eight flights of the M-55 Geophysica at up to 20 km in the Asian monsoon anticyclone. New particle formation (NPF) next to cloud ice was detected in situ by abundant nucleation-mode aerosols (> 6 nm) along with ice particles (> 3 µm). NPF was observed mainly below the tropopause, down to 15 % being non-volatile residues. Observed intra-cloud NPF indicates its importance for the composition in the tropical tropopause layer.
Ralf Weigel, Christoph Mahnke, Manuel Baumgartner, Antonis Dragoneas, Bärbel Vogel, Felix Ploeger, Silvia Viciani, Francesco D'Amato, Silvia Bucci, Bernard Legras, Beiping Luo, and Stephan Borrmann
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 11689–11722, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-11689-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-11689-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
In July and August 2017, eight StratoClim mission flights of the Geophysica reached up to 20 km in the Asian monsoon anticyclone. New particle formation (NPF) was identified in situ by abundant nucleation-mode aerosols (6–15 nm in diameter) with mixing ratios of up to 50 000 mg−1. NPF occurred most frequently at 12–16 km with fractions of non-volatile residues of down to 15 %. Abundance and productivity of observed NPF indicate its ability to promote the Asian tropopause aerosol layer.
Lukas Krasauskas, Jörn Ungermann, Peter Preusse, Felix Friedl-Vallon, Andreas Zahn, Helmut Ziereis, Christian Rolf, Felix Plöger, Paul Konopka, Bärbel Vogel, and Martin Riese
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 10249–10272, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-10249-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-10249-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
A Rossby wave (RW) breaking event was observed over the North Atlantic during the WISE measurement campaign in October 2017. Infrared limb sounding measurements of trace gases in the lower stratosphere, including high-resolution 3-D tomographic reconstruction, revealed complex spatial structures in stratospheric tracers near the polar jet related to previous RW breaking events. Backward-trajectory analysis and tracer correlations were used to study mixing and stratosphere–troposphere exchange.
Nuria Pilar Plaza, Aurélien Podglajen, Cristina Peña-Ortiz, and Felix Ploeger
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 9585–9607, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-9585-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-9585-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
We study the role of different processes in setting the lower stratospheric water vapour. We find that mechanisms involving ice microphysics and small-scale mixing produce the strongest increase in water vapour, in particular over the Asian Monsoon. Small-scale mixing has a special relevance as it improves the agreement with observations at seasonal and intra-seasonal timescales, contrary to the North American Monsoon case, in which large-scale temperatures still dominate its variability.
Felix Ploeger, Mohamadou Diallo, Edward Charlesworth, Paul Konopka, Bernard Legras, Johannes C. Laube, Jens-Uwe Grooß, Gebhard Günther, Andreas Engel, and Martin Riese
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 8393–8412, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-8393-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-8393-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
We investigate the global stratospheric circulation (Brewer–Dobson circulation) in the new ECMWF ERA5 reanalysis based on age of air simulations, and we compare it to results from the preceding ERA-Interim reanalysis. Our results show a slower stratospheric circulation and higher age for ERA5. The age of air trend in ERA5 over the 1989–2018 period is negative throughout the stratosphere, related to multi-annual variability and a potential contribution from changes in the reanalysis system.
Mohamadou Diallo, Manfred Ern, and Felix Ploeger
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 7515–7544, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-7515-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-7515-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Despite good agreement in the spatial structure, there are substantial differences in the strength of the Brewer–Dobson circulation (BDC) and its modulations in the UTLS and upper stratosphere. The tropical upwelling is generally weaker in ERA5 than in ERAI due to weaker planetary and gravity wave breaking in the UTLS. Analysis of the BDC trend shows an acceleration of the BDC of about 1.5 % decade-1 due to the long-term intensification in wave breaking, consistent with climate predictions.
Xiaolu Yan, Paul Konopka, Marius Hauck, Aurélien Podglajen, and Felix Ploeger
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 6627–6645, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-6627-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-6627-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Inter-hemispheric transport is important for understanding atmospheric tracers because of the asymmetry in emissions between the Southern Hemisphere (SH) and Northern Hemisphere (NH). This study finds that the air masses from the NH extratropics to the atmosphere are about 5 times larger than those from the SH extratropics. The interplay between the Asian summer monsoon and westerly ducts triggers the cross-Equator transport from the NH to the SH in boreal summer and fall.
Marc von Hobe, Felix Ploeger, Paul Konopka, Corinna Kloss, Alexey Ulanowski, Vladimir Yushkov, Fabrizio Ravegnani, C. Michael Volk, Laura L. Pan, Shawn B. Honomichl, Simone Tilmes, Douglas E. Kinnison, Rolando R. Garcia, and Jonathon S. Wright
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 1267–1285, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-1267-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-1267-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
The Asian summer monsoon (ASM) is known to foster transport of polluted tropospheric air into the stratosphere. To test and amend our picture of ASM vertical transport, we analyse distributions of airborne trace gas observations up to 20 km altitude near the main ASM vertical conduit south of the Himalayas. We also show that a new high-resolution version of the global chemistry climate model WACCM is able to reproduce the observations well.
Johannes Schneider, Ralf Weigel, Thomas Klimach, Antonis Dragoneas, Oliver Appel, Andreas Hünig, Sergej Molleker, Franziska Köllner, Hans-Christian Clemen, Oliver Eppers, Peter Hoppe, Peter Hoor, Christoph Mahnke, Martina Krämer, Christian Rolf, Jens-Uwe Grooß, Andreas Zahn, Florian Obersteiner, Fabrizio Ravegnani, Alexey Ulanovsky, Hans Schlager, Monika Scheibe, Glenn S. Diskin, Joshua P. DiGangi, John B. Nowak, Martin Zöger, and Stephan Borrmann
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 989–1013, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-989-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-989-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
During five aircraft missions, we detected aerosol particles containing meteoric material in the lower stratosphere. The stratospheric measurements span a latitude range from 15 to 68° N, and we find that at potential temperature levels of more than 40 K above the tropopause; particles containing meteoric material occur at similar abundance fractions across latitudes and seasons. We conclude that meteoric material is efficiently distributed between high and low latitudes by isentropic mixing.
Corinna Kloss, Gwenaël Berthet, Pasquale Sellitto, Felix Ploeger, Ghassan Taha, Mariam Tidiga, Maxim Eremenko, Adriana Bossolasco, Fabrice Jégou, Jean-Baptiste Renard, and Bernard Legras
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 535–560, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-535-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-535-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
The year 2019 was particularly rich for the stratospheric aerosol layer due to two volcanic eruptions (at Raikoke and Ulawun) and wildfire events. With satellite observations and models, we describe the exceptionally complex situation following the Raikoke eruption. The respective plume overwhelmed the Northern Hemisphere stratosphere in terms of aerosol load and resulted in the highest climate impact throughout the past decade.
Edward J. Charlesworth, Ann-Kristin Dugstad, Frauke Fritsch, Patrick Jöckel, and Felix Plöger
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 15227–15245, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-15227-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-15227-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Modeling the stratosphere requires models with good representations of chemical transport. To do this, nearly all models divide the atmosphere into boxes. This creates some unwanted problems. However, the only other option is to divide the atmosphere into balloons, and this method is very complicated. Here, we use a model which uses this balloon-like method to estimate the impacts of this method on chemical transport. We find significant differences in sensitive regions of the stratosphere.
Martina Krämer, Christian Rolf, Nicole Spelten, Armin Afchine, David Fahey, Eric Jensen, Sergey Khaykin, Thomas Kuhn, Paul Lawson, Alexey Lykov, Laura L. Pan, Martin Riese, Andrew Rollins, Fred Stroh, Troy Thornberry, Veronika Wolf, Sarah Woods, Peter Spichtinger, Johannes Quaas, and Odran Sourdeval
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 12569–12608, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-12569-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-12569-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
To improve the representations of cirrus clouds in climate predictions, extended knowledge of their properties and geographical distribution is required. This study presents extensive airborne in situ and satellite remote sensing climatologies of cirrus and humidity, which serve as a guide to cirrus clouds. Further, exemplary radiative characteristics of cirrus types and also in situ observations of tropical tropopause layer cirrus and humidity in the Asian monsoon anticyclone are shown.
Cited articles
Ambaum, M. H. P.: Thermal Physics of the Atmosphere, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., Chichester, UK,
https://doi.org/10.1002/9780470710364, 2010. a, b, c
Bauer, L. A.: The relation between “potential temperature” and “entropy”,
Phys. Rev., 26, 177–183, 1908. a
Bohren, C., Albrecht, B., and Albrecht, P.: Atmospheric Thermodynamics, Oxford University Press, New York, USA, Oxford, UK, 1998. a
Bolton, D.: The Computation of Equivalent Potential Temperature, Mon.
Weather Rev., 108, 1046–1053,
https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0493(1980)108<1046:TCOEPT>2.0.CO;2, 1980. a
Borchert, S., Zhou, G., Baldauf, M., Schmidt, H., Zängl, G., and Reinert, D.: The upper-atmosphere extension of the ICON general circulation model (version: ua-icon-1.0), Geosci. Model Dev., 12, 3541–3569, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-12-3541-2019, 2019. a
Borrmann, S., Kunkel, D., Weigel, R., Minikin, A., Deshler, T., Wilson, J. C., Curtius, J., Volk, C. M., Homan, C. D., Ulanovsky, A., Ravegnani, F., Viciani, S., Shur, G. N., Belyaev, G. V., Law, K. S., and Cairo, F.: Aerosols in the tropical and subtropical UT/LS: in-situ measurements of submicron particle abundance and volatility, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 10, 5573–5592, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-10-5573-2010, 2010. a
Brasseur, G. P. and Solomon, S.: Aeronomy of the Middle Atmosphere, Springer,
https://doi.org/10.1007/1-4020-3824-0, 2005. a
Brusseau, M., Pepper, I. L., and Gerba, C. P.: Environmental and Pollution
Science, 3rd Edn., Elsevier, https://doi.org/10.1016/C2017-0-00480-9, 2019. a
Catling, D. C.: 10.13 – Planetary Atmospheres, in: Treatise on Geophysics,
edited by: Schubert, G., 429–472, Elsevier, Oxford, 2nd Edn.,
https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-444-53802-4.00185-8, 2015. a, b
Chang, X., Zhao, W., Zhang, Z., and Su, Y.: Sap flow and tree conductance of
shelter-belt in arid region of China, Agr. Forest Meteorol.,
138, 132–141, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agrformet.2006.04.003, 2006. a
Chipperfield, M. P.: New version of the TOMCAT/SLIMCAT off-line chemical
transport model: Intercomparison of stratospheric tracer experiments,
Q. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc., 132, 1179–1203,
https://doi.org/10.1256/qj.05.51, 2006. a
Curry, J. and Webster, P.: Thermodynamics of Atmospheres and Oceans, Vol. 65 of International Geophysics, Elsevier, London, UK, 1998. a
Curtius, J., Weigel, R., Vössing, H.-J., Wernli, H., Werner, A., Volk, C.-M., Konopka, P., Krebsbach, M., Schiller, C., Roiger, A., Schlager, H., Dreiling, V., and Borrmann, S.: Observations of meteoric material and implications for aerosol nucleation in the winter Arctic lower stratosphere derived from in situ particle measurements, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 5, 3053–3069, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-5-3053-2005, 2005. a, b
Davies, S., Mann, G. W., Carslaw, K. S., Chipperfield, M. P., Remedios, J. J., Allen, G., Waterfall, A. M., Spang, R., and Toon, G. C.: Testing our understanding of Arctic denitrification using MIPAS-E satellite measurements in winter 2002/2003, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 6, 3149–3161, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-6-3149-2006, 2006. a
Dee, D. P., Uppala, S. M., Simmons, A. J., Berrisford, P., Poli, P., Kobayashi,
S., Andrae, U., Balmaseda, M. A., Balsamo, G., Bauer, P., Bechtold, P.,
Beljaars, A. C. M., van de Berg, L., Bidlot, J., Bormann, N., Delsol, C.,
Dragani, R., Fuentes, M., Geer, A. J., Haimberger, L., Healy, S. B.,
Hersbach, H., Hólm, E. V., Isaksen, L., Kållberg, P., Köhler, M.,
Matricardi, M., McNally, A. P., Monge-Sanz, B. M., Morcrette, J.-J., Park,
B.-K., Peubey, C., de Rosnay, P., Tavolato, C., Thépaut, J.-N., and Vitart,
F.: The ERA-Interim reanalysis: configuration and performance of the data
assimilation system, Q. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc.,
137, 553–597, https://doi.org/10.1002/qj.828, 2011. a
Dessler, A. E.: The effect of deep, tropical convection on the tropical
tropopause layer, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 107, ACH
6-1–ACH 6-5, https://doi.org/10.1029/2001JD000511, 2002. a
Deuflhard, P.: Newton Methods for Nonlinear Problems, Vol. 35 of Springer
Series in Computational Mathematics, Springer-Verlag, Berlin Heidelberg,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-23899-4, 2011. a
Durran, D. R. and Klemp, J. B.: On the Effects of Moisture on the
Brunt-Väisälä Frequency, J. Atmos. Sci.,
39, 2152–2158, https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0469(1982)039<2152:OTEOMO>2.0.CO;2, 1982. a
Fay, J. A.: Molecular Thermodynamics, Engineering Sciences, Addison-Wesley,
Reading, Massachusetts, 1965. a
Feistel, R.: A Gibbs function for seawater thermodynamics for −6 to
80 ∘C and salinity up to
120 g kg−1, Deep-Sea Res. Pt. I, 55, 1639–1671, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr.2008.07.004, 2008. a
Frey, W.: Airborne in situ measurements of ice particles in the tropical
tropopause layer, PhD thesis, Universität Mainz, Mainz, 2011. a
Furtenbacher, T., Horváth, M., Koller, D., Sólyom, P., Balogh, A., Balogh,
I., and Császár, A. G.: MARVEL Analysis of the Measured High-Resolution
Rovibronic Spectra and Definitive Ideal-Gas Thermochemistry of the
16O2 Molecule, J. Phys. Chem. Ref. Data, 48,
023101, https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5083135, 2019. a
Gettelman, A., Hoor, P., Pan, L. L., Randel, W. J., Hegglin, M. I., and Birner,
T.: The Extratropical Upper Troposphere and Lower Stratosphere, Rev.
Geophys., 49, RG3003, https://doi.org/10.1029/2011RG000355, 2011. a, b
Hallam, A.: Alfred Wegener and the Hypothesis of Continental Drift, Sci. Am., 232, 88–97,
1975. a
Hauf, T. and Höller, H.: Entropy and Potential Temperature, J.
Atmos. Sci., 44, 2887–2901,
https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0469(1987)044<2887:EAPT>2.0.CO;2, 1987. a
Holton, J. R., Haynes, P. H., McIntyre, M. E., Douglass, A. R., Rood, R. B.,
and Pfister, L.: Stratosphere-troposphere exchange, Rev. Geophys.,
33, 403–439, https://doi.org/10.1029/95RG02097, 1995. a
Höpfner, M., Ungermann, J., Borrmann, S., Wagner, R., Spang, R., Riese, M.,
Stiller, G., Appel, O., Batenburg, A. M., Bucci, S., Cairo, F., Dragoneas,
A., Friedl-Vallon, F., Hünig, A., Johansson, S., Krasauskas, L., Legras,
B., Leisner, T., Mahnke, C., Möhler, O., Molleker, S., Müller, R.,
Neubert, T., Orphal, J., Preusse, P., Rex, M., Saathoff, H., Stroh, F.,
Weigel, R., and Wohltmann, I.: Ammonium nitrate particles formed in upper
troposphere from ground ammonia sources during Asian monsoons, Nat. Geosci.,
12, 608–612, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41561-019-0385-8, 2019. a
Houghton, J.: The Physics of Atmospheres, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, 2002. a
Huang, K.: Statistical Mechanics, 2nd Edn., John Wiley & Sons, New York,
1987. a
Kunz, O. and Wagner, W.: The GERG-2008 Wide-Range Equation of State for Natural
Gases and Other Mixtures: An Expansion of GERG-2004, J. Chem. Eng. Data, 57,
3032–3091, https://doi.org/10.1021/je300655b, 2012. a
Kutzbach, G.: The Thermal Theory of Cyclones: A History of Meteorological
Thought in the Nineteenth Century, Meteorological Monographs, American
Meteorological Society, Boston, USA, 2016. a
Lary, D. J., Chipperfield, M. P., Pyle, J. A., Norton, W. A., and
Riishøjgaard, L. P.: Three-dimensional tracer initialization and general
diagnostics using equivalent PV latitude–potential-temperature coordinates,
Q. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc., 121, 187–210,
https://doi.org/10.1002/qj.49712152109, 1995. a
Lemmon, E. W., Jacobsen, R. T., Penoncello, S. G., and Friend, D. G.:
Thermodynamic Properties of Air and Mixtures of Nitrogen, Argon, and Oxygen
From 60 to 2000 K at Pressures to 2000 MPa, J. Phys. Chem.
Ref. Data, 29, 331–385, https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1285884, 2000. a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m, n, o
Lemmon, E. W., Bell, I. H., Huber, M. L., and McLinden, M. O.: NIST Standard
Reference Database 23: Reference Fluid Thermodynamic and Transport
Properties-REFPROP, Version 10.0, National Institute of Standards and
Technology, https://doi.org/10.18434/T4/1502528, 2018. a, b, c
Li, C., Ingersoll, A. P., and Oyafuso, F.: Moist Adiabats with Multiple
Condensing Species: A New Theory with Application to Giant-Planet
Atmospheres, J. Atmos. Sci., 75, 1063–1072,
https://doi.org/10.1175/JAS-D-17-0257.1, 2018. a
Liou, K. N.: An Introduction to Atmospheric Radiation, Vol. 84 of
International Geophysics, 2nd Edn., Elsevier, San Diego, USA, 2002. a
Marquet, P.: Definition of a moist entropy potential temperature: application
to FIRE-I data flights, Q. J. Roy. Meteor.
Soc., 137, 768–791, https://doi.org/10.1002/qj.787, 2011. a
Marquet, P.: On the definition of a moist-air potential vorticity, Q.
J. Roy. Meteor. Soc., 140, 917–929,
https://doi.org/10.1002/qj.2182, 2014. a
Marquet, P.: Le troisième principe de la thermodynamique ou une définition
absolue de l'entropie – Partie 2: Définitions et applications en
météorologie et en climat, https://doi.org/10.4267/2042/70559, an english translation
is available at arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/1904.11699 (last access: 2 November 2020), 2019. a
Marquet, P. and Geleyn, J.-F.: On a general definition of the squared
Brunt-Väisälä frequency associated with the specific moist
entropy potential temperature, Q. J. Roy. Meteor.
Soc., 139, 85–100, https://doi.org/10.1002/qj.1957, 2013. a
Marquet, P. and Geleyn, J.-F.: Formulations of moist thermodynamics for
atmospheric modelling, chap. 22, in: Parameterization of Atmospheric Convection, edited by: Plant, R. S. and Yano, J.-I., Imperial College Press, London, UK, 221–274, https://doi.org/10.1142/9781783266913_0026, 2015. a
McDougall, T. J., Jackett, D. R., Wright, D. G., and Feistel, R.: Accurate and
Computationally Efficient Algorithms for Potential Temperature and Density of
Seawater, J. Atmos. Ocean. Techn., 20, 730–741,
https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0426(2003)20<730:AACEAF>2.0.CO;2, 2003. a, b
Mote, P. W., Rosenlof, K. H., McIntyre, M. E., Carr, E. S., Gille, J. G.,
Holton, J. R., Kinnersley, J. S., Pumphrey, H. C., Russell III, J. M., and
Waters, J. W.: An atmospheric tape recorder: The imprint of tropical
tropopause temperatures on stratospheric water vapor, J. Geophys. Res., 101,
3989–4006, 1996. a
Müller-Wodarg, I., Griffith, C. A., Lellouch, E., and Cravens, T. E.:
Titan: Interior, Surface, Atmosphere, and Space Environment, Vol. 14 of
Cambridge Planetary Science, Cambridge University Press, New York, USA, 2014. a
Murphy, D. M., Cziczo, D. J., Hudson, P. K., and Thomson, D. S.: Carbonaceous
material in aerosol particles in the lower stratosphere and tropopause
region, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 112, D04203,
https://doi.org/10.1029/2006JD007297, 2007. a
Newell, D. B., Cabiati, F., Fischer, J., Fujii, K., Karshenboim, S. G.,
Margolis, H. S., de Mirandés, E., Mohr, P. J., Nez, F., Pachucki, K.,
Quinn, T. J., Taylor, B. N., Wang, M., Wood, B. M., and Zhang, Z.: The
CODATA 2017 values of h, e, k, and NA for the revision
of the SI, Metrologia, 55, L13–L16, https://doi.org/10.1088/1681-7575/aa950a, 2018. a, b
Ooyama, K. V.: A Thermodynamic Foundation for Modeling the Moist Atmosphere,
J. Atmos. Sci., 47, 2580–2593,
https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0469(1990)047<2580:ATFFMT>2.0.CO;2, 1990. a
Ooyama, K. V.: A Dynamic and Thermodynamic Foundation for Modeling the Moist
Atmosphere with Parameterized Microphysics, J. Atmos.
Sci., 58, 2073–2102,
https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0469(2001)058<2073:ADATFF>2.0.CO;2, 2001. a, b
Poisson, S. D.: Traité de mécanique, Bachelier, Paris, 2nd Edn.,
available at: https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k9605452x.texteImage (last access: 2 November 2020),
1833. a
Pommrich, R., Müller, R., Grooß, J.-U., Konopka, P., Ploeger, F., Vogel, B., Tao, M., Hoppe, C. M., Günther, G., Spelten, N., Hoffmann, L., Pumphrey, H.-C., Viciani, S., D'Amato, F., Volk, C. M., Hoor, P., Schlager, H., and Riese, M.: Tropical troposphere to stratosphere transport of carbon monoxide and long-lived trace species in the Chemical Lagrangian Model of the Stratosphere (CLaMS), Geosci. Model Dev., 7, 2895–2916, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-7-2895-2014, 2014. a
Protter, M. H. and Morrey, C. B.: Intermediate Calculus, Undergraduate Texts in
Mathematics, 2nd Edn., Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-1086-3, 1985. a
Pruppacher, H. R. and Klett, J. D.: Microphysics of Clouds and Precipitation,
Vol. 18 of Atmospheric and Oceanographic Sciences Library, Kluwer
Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, 2010. a
Reinke-Kunze, C.: Alfred Wegener: Polarforscher und Entdecker der
Kontinentaldrift, Lebensgeschichten aus der Wissenschaft, Birkhäuser
Basel, 2013. a
Richardson, M. I., Toigo, A. D., and Newman, C. E.: PlanetWRF: A general
purpose, local to global numerical model for planetary atmospheric and
climate dynamics, J. Geophys. Res.-Planet., 112, E09001,
https://doi.org/10.1029/2006JE002825, 2007. a
Roebuck, J. R.: The Joule-Thomson Effect in Air, P. Am.
Acad. Arts Sci., 60, 537–596,1925. a
Roebuck, J. R.: The Joule-Thomson Effect in Air. Second Paper, P.
Am. Acad. Arts Sci., 64, 287–334, 1930. a
Roedel, W. and Wagner, T.: Physik unserer Umwelt: Die Atmosphäre, Springer
Berlin Heidelberg, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-15729-5, 2011. a
Scheel, K. and Heuse, W.: Die spezifische Wärme der Luft bei Zimmertemperatur
und bei tiefen Temperaturen, Ann. Phys., 342, 79–95,
https://doi.org/10.1002/andp.19113420106, 1912. a
Schmidt, R. and Wagner, W.: A new form of the equation of state for pure
substances and its application to oxygen, Fluid Phase Equilibr., 19, 175–200, https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-3812(85)87016-3, 1985. a, b, c, d
Schubert, W., Ruprecht, E., Hertenstein, R., Ferreira, R. N., Taft, R., Rozoff,
C., Ciesielski, P., and Kuo, H.-C.: English translations of twenty-one of
Ertel's papers on geophysical fluid dynamics, Meteorol. Z.,
13, 527–576, https://doi.org/10.1127/0941-2948/2004/0013-0527, 2004. a, b
Schumann, U.: Atmospheric Physics; Background – Methods – Trends, Research
Topics in Aerospace, Springer-Verlag, Berlin Heidelberg,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-30183-4, 2012. a
Seinfeld, J. H. and Pandis, S. N.: Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics: From Air
Pollution to Climate Change, Wiley, Hoboken, New Jersey, USA, 2006. a
Skamarock, W. C. and Klemp, J. B.: A time-split nonhydrostatic atmospheric
model for weather research and forecasting applications, J.
Comput. Phys., 227, 3465–3485, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcp.2007.01.037,
2008. a, b
Skamarock, W. C., Klemp, J. B., Dudhia, J., Gill, D. O., Barker, D. M.,
Wang, W., and Powers, J. G.: A Description of the Advanced Research
WRF Version 2 (No. NCAR/TN-468+STR), University Corporation for
Atmospheric Research, https://doi.org/10.5065/D6DZ069T, 2005. a, b
Span, R., Lemmon, E. W., Jacobsen, R. T., Wagner, W., and Yokozeki, A.: A
Reference Equation of State for the Thermodynamic Properties of Nitrogen for
Temperatures from 63.151 to 1000 K and Pressures to 2200 MPa, J.
Phys. Chem. Ref. Data, 29, 1361–1433,
https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1349047, 2000. a, b, c, d, e
Spang, R., Remedios, J. J., Kramer, L. J., Poole, L. R., Fromm, M. D., Müller, M., Baumgarten, G., and Konopka, P.: Polar stratospheric cloud observations by MIPAS on ENVISAT: detection method, validation and analysis of the northern hemisphere winter 2002/2003, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 5, 679–692, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-5-679-2005, 2005. a
Spichtinger, P.: Shallow cirrus convection – a source for ice supersaturation, Tellus A, 66, 19937, https://doi.org/10.3402/tellusa.v66.19937, 2014. a
Stamnes, K., Thomas, G. E., and Stamnes, J. J.: Radiative Transfer in the
Atmosphere and Ocean, Cambridge University Press,
https://doi.org/10.1017/9781316148549, 2017. a
Stohl, A., Bonasoni, P., Cristofanelli, P., Collins, W., Feichter, J., Frank,
A., Forster, C., Gerasopoulos, E., Gäggeler, H., James, P., Kentarchos, T.,
Kromp-Kolb, H., Krüger, B., Land, C., Meloen, J., Papayannis, A., Priller,
A., Seibert, P., Sprenger, M., Roelofs, G. J., Scheel, H. E., Schnabel, C.,
Siegmund, P., Tobler, L., Trickl, T., Wernli, H., Wirth, V., Zanis, P., and
Zerefos, C.: Stratosphere-troposphere exchange: A review, and what we have
learned from STACCATO, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 108, 8516,
https://doi.org/10.1029/2002JD002490, 2003. a
Swinbank, R. and Ortland, D. A.: Compilation of wind data for the (UARS)
Reference Atmosphere Project, J. Geophys. Res., 108, 4615,
https://doi.org/10.1029/2002JD003135, 2003. a
Tao, M., Konopka, P., Ploeger, F., Yan, X., Wright, J. S., Diallo, M., Fueglistaler, S., and Riese, M.: Multitimescale variations in modeled stratospheric water vapor derived from three modern reanalysis products, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 19, 6509–6534, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-19-6509-2019, 2019. a
Tegeler, C., Span, R., and Wagner, W.: A New Equation of State for Argon
Covering the Fluid Region for Temperatures from the Melting Line to
700 K at Pressures up to 1000 MPa, J. Phys. Chem.
Ref. Data, 28, 779–850, https://doi.org/10.1063/1.556037, 1999. a, b
Tiesinga, E., Mohr, P. J., Newell, D. B., and Taylor, B. N.: The 2018 CODATA
Recommended Values of the Fundamental Physical Constants, Web Version 8.1,
Database developed by: Baker, J., Douma, M., and Kotochigova, S., available at:
http://physics.nist.gov/constants (last access: 2 November 2020), 2020. a, b, c, d
Tiwary, A. and Williams, I.: Air Pollution: Measurement, Modelling and
Mitigation, 4th Edn., CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, USA, 2019. a
Tripoli, G. J. and Cotton, W. R.: The Use of lce-Liquid Water Potential
Temperature as a Thermodynamic Variable In Deep Atmospheric Models, Mon.
Weather Rev., 109, 1094–1102,
https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0493(1981)109<1094:TUOLLW>2.0.CO;2, 1981. a
Tsilingiris, P. T.: Thermophysical and transport properties of humid air at
temperature range between 0 and 100 ∘C, Energ. Convers.
Manage., 49, 1098–1110, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2007.09.015, 2008. a, b
United States Committee on Extension to the Standard Atmosphere: U.S.
standard atmosphere, 1976, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington D. C., available at:
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19770009539.pdf (last access: 2 November 2020),
1976. a, b
Vernier, J.-P., Fairlie, T. D., Deshler, T., Ratnam, M. V., Gadhavi, H., Kumar,
B. S., Natarajan, M., Pandit, A. K., Raj, S. T. A., Kumar, A. H., Jayaraman,
A., Singh, A. K., Rastogi, N., Sinha, P. R., Kumar, S., Tiwari, S., Wegner,
T., Baker, N., Vignelles, D., Stenchikov, G., Shevchenko, I., Smith, J.,
Bedka, K., Kesarkar, A., Singh, V., Bhate, J., Ravikiran, V., Rao, M. D.,
Ravindrababu, S., Patel, A., Vernier, H., Wienhold, F. G., Liu, H., Knepp,
T. N., Thomason, L., Crawford, J., Ziemba, L., Moore, J., Crumeyrolle, S.,
Williamson, M., Berthet, G., Jégou, F., and Renard, J.-B.: BATAL: The
Balloon Measurement Campaigns of the Asian Tropopause Aerosol Layer, B. Am.
Meteorol. Soc., 99, 955–973, https://doi.org/10.1175/bams-d-17-0014.1, 2018. a
Voigt, C., Schumann, U., Minikin, A., Abdelmonem, A., Afchine, A., Borrmann,
S., Boettcher, M., Bucuchholz, B., Bugliaro, L., Costa, A., Curtius, J.,
Dollner, M., Dörnbrack, A., Dreiling, V., Ebert, V., Ehrlich, A., Fix,
A., Forster, L., Frank, F., Futterer, D., Giez, A., Graf, K., Grooss, J. U.,
Gross, S., Heimerl, K., Heinold, B., Huneke, T., Järvinen, E., Jurkat,
T., Kaufmann, S., Kenntner, M., Klingebiel, M., Klimach, T., Kohl, R.,
Krämer, M., Krisna, T. C., Luebke, A., Mayer, B., Mertes, S., Molleker,
S., Petzold, A., Pfeilsticker, K., Port, M., Rapp, M., Reutter, P., Rolf, C.,
Rose, D., Sauer, D., Schafer, A., Schlage, R., Schnaiter, M., Schneider, J.,
Spelten, N., Spichtinger, P., Stock, P., Walser, A., Weigel, R., Weinzierl,
B., Wendisch, M., Werner, F., Wernli, H., Wirth, M., Zahn, A., Ziereis, H.,
and Zoger, M.: Ml-Cirrus the Airborne Experiment on Natural Cirrus and
Contrail Cirrus with the High-Altitude Long-Range Research Aircraft Halo, B.
Am. Meteorol. Soc., 98, 271–288, https://doi.org/10.1175/Bams-D-15-00213.1, 2017. a
Wagner, W. and de Reuck, K. M.: Oxygen, International Thermodynamic Tables of
the Fluid State, Vol. 9 of IUPAC Thermodynamic Tables Project,
Blackwell Science, Oxford, UK, 1987. a
Wegener, A.: Thermodynamik der Atmosphäre, J. A. Barth, Leipzig, Germany, 1911. a
Wegener, A. and Wegener, K.: Vorlesung über Physik der Atmosphäre, J.
A. Barth, Leipzig, 1935. a
Weigel, R., Volk, C. M., Kandler, K., Hösen, E., Günther, G., Vogel, B., Grooß, J.-U., Khaykin, S., Belyaev, G. V., and Borrmann, S.: Enhancements of the refractory submicron aerosol fraction in the Arctic polar vortex: feature or exception?, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 14, 12319–12342, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-14-12319-2014, 2014. a
Weigel, R., Spichtinger, P., Mahnke, C., Klingebiel, M., Afchine, A., Petzold, A., Krämer, M., Costa, A., Molleker, S., Reutter, P., Szakáll, M., Port, M., Grulich, L., Jurkat, T., Minikin, A., and Borrmann, S.: Thermodynamic correction of particle concentrations measured by underwing probes on fast-flying aircraft, Atmos. Meas. Tech., 9, 5135–5162, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-9-5135-2016, 2016. a
Wendisch, M. and Brenguier, J.-L.: Airborne Measurements for Environmental
Research: Methods and Instruments, Wiley‐VCH, Weinheim,
https://doi.org/10.1002/9783527653218, 2013. a, b
Wendisch, M., Pöschl, U., Andreae, M. O., Machado, L. A. T., Albrecht, R.,
Schlager, H., Rosenfeld, D., Martin, S. T., Abdelmonem, A., Afchine, A.,
Araùjo, A., Artaxo, P., Aufmhoff, H., Barbosa, H. M. J., Borrmann, S.,
Braga, R., Buchholz, B., Cecchini, M. A., Costa, A., Curtius, J., Dollner,
M., Dorf, M., Dreiling, V., Ebert, V., Ehrlich, A., Ewald, F., Fisch, G.,
Fix, A., Frank, F., Fütterer, D., Heckl, C., Heidelberg, F., Hüneke,
T., Jäkel, E., Järvinen, E., Jurkat, T., Kanter, S., Kästner, U.,
Kenntner, M., Kesselmeier, J., Klimach, T., Knecht, M., Kohl, R.,
Kölling, T., Krämer, M., Krüger, M., Krisna, T. C., Lavric,
J. V., Longo, K., Mahnke, C., Manzi, A. O., Mayer, B., Mertes, S., Minikin,
A., Molleker, S., Münch, S., Nillius, B., Pfeilsticker, K., Pöhlker,
C., Roiger, A., Rose, D., Rosenow, D., Sauer, D., Schnaiter, M., Schneider,
J., Schulz, C., de Souza, R. A. F., Spanu, A., Stock, P., Vila, D., Voigt,
C., Walser, A., Walter, D., Weigel, R., Weinzierl, B., Werner, F., Yamasoe,
M. A., Ziereis, H., Zinner, T., and Zöger, M.: The ACRIDICON-CHUVA
campaign: Studying tropical deep convective clouds and precipitation over
Amazonia using the new German research aircraft HALO, B. Am. Meteorol. Soc., 97,
1885–1908, https://doi.org/10.1175/BAMS-D-14-00255.1, 2016.
a
Wilson, J. C., Loewenstein, M., Fahey, D. W., Gary, B., Smith, S. D., Kelly,
K. K., Ferry, G. V., and Chan, K. R.: Observations of condensation nuclei in
the Airborne Antarctic Ozone Experiment: Implications for new particle
formation and polar stratospheric cloud formation, J. Geophys.
Res.-Atmos., 94, 16437–16448, https://doi.org/10.1029/JD094iD14p16437,
1989. a
Witkowski, A. W.: I. Thermodynamic properties of air, The London, Edinburgh,
and Dublin Philosophical Magazine and Journal of Science, 42, 1–37,
https://doi.org/10.1080/14786449608620887, 1896. a, b
WMO: Meteorology – A three-dimensional science, WMO Bull., 6, 134–138, 1957. a
WMO: International Meteorological Tables, WMO-No.188.TP97, Secretariat of the
World Meteorological Organization, Geneva, Switzerland, available at:
https://library.wmo.int/doc_num.php?explnum_id=7997 (last access: 11 December 2020), 1966. a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m, n, o, p, q, r, s, t, u, v, w
Zängl, G., Reinert, D., Rípodas, P., and Baldauf, M.: The ICON
(ICOsahedral Non-hydrostatic) modelling framework of DWD and MPI-M:
Description of the non-hydrostatic dynamical core, Q. J.
Roy. Meteor. Soc., 141, 563–579, https://doi.org/10.1002/qj.2378, 2015. a
Zdunkowski, W. and Bott, A.: Dynamics of the Atmosphere: A Course in
Theoretical Meteorology, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, 2003. a
Short summary
The potential temperature is routinely used in atmospheric science. We review its derivation and suggest a new potential temperature, based on a temperature-dependent parameterization of the dry air's specific heat capacity. Moreover, we compare the new potential temperature to the common one and discuss the differences which become more important at higher altitudes. Finally, we indicate some consequences of using the new potential temperature in typical applications.
The potential temperature is routinely used in atmospheric science. We review its derivation and...
Altmetrics
Final-revised paper
Preprint