Effect of water vapor on the destruction of ozone in the stratosphere perturbed by ClX or NO(x) pollutants

Results are described of a self consistent one dimensional coupled flow calculation for O(x), NO(x), HO(x), ClX, H2O, H2, CH4, H2O2, and N2O densities between 10 and 120 km. The results agree well with observations for the normal mid latitude atmosphere over this altitude range. ClX, NO(x) and H2O were varied independently in the model. It is shown that the effect of depletion of ozone by ClX is to remove ozone preferentially above 30 km and to lower the altitude of maximum ozone density. This leads to enhanced solar heating of the lower stratosphere and tropopause and suggests the possibility of an increased flux of water into the stratosphere. Increasing water vapor in the stratosphere greatly enhances the rate of destruction of O3 by ClX and also causes an increase in the rate of destruction of O3 in the NO(x) perturbed atmosphere.

Duke Scholars

Author William Chameides Earth and Climate Sciences