Numerical and the MU radar estimations of gravity wave enhancement and turbulent ozone fluxes near the tropopause

Abstract. It is shown with a numerical simulation that a sharp increase in the vertical temperature gradient and Brunt-Väisälä frequency near the tropopause may produce an increase in the amplitudes of internal gravity waves (IGWs) propagating upward from the troposphere, wave breaking and generation of stronger turbulence. This may enhance the transport of admixtures between the troposphere and stratosphere in the middle latitudes. Turbulent diffusion coefficient calculated numerically and measured with the MU radar are of 1-10m²/s in different seasons in Shigaraki, Japan (35° N, 136° E). These values lead to the estimation of vertical ozone flux from the stratosphere to the troposphere of (1-10)x10¹⁴, which may substantially add to the usually supposed ozone downward transport with the general atmospheric circulation. Therefore, local enhancements of IGW intensity and turbulence at tropospheric altitudes over mountains due to their orographic excitation and due to other wave sources may lead to the changes in tropospheric and total ozone over different regions.