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Transport Processes in the Middle Atmosphere pp 215–227Cite as

The Effect of Breaking Gravity Waves on the Distribution of Trace Species in the Middle Atmosphere

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Part of the book series: NATO ASI Series ((ASIC,volume 213))

Abstract

Gravity wave temperature amplitudes will increase upward into the middle atmosphere due to decreasing ambient density and will grow rapidly approaching a critical level. Waves will break when their amplitudes are so large that they become convectively unstable. Above the breaking level turbulence will mix tracers in the vertical and the mean flow will accelerate toward the phase speed of the wave as the wave is absorbed. A parameterization of these effects is employed in a two dimensional model of the middle atmosphere. Results from this coupled dynamical-radiative-photochemical model are used to review the effects of breaking gravity waves on the mean circulation and on the meridional distribution of trace species.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Center for Atmospheric Research, P.O. Box 3000, Boulder, CO, 80307, USA

    Guy Brasseur & Matthew Hitchman

Authors
  1. Guy Brasseur
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  2. Matthew Hitchman
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, University of L’Aquila, Italy

    Guido Visconti

  2. National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, USA

    Rolando Garcia

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© 1987 D. Reidel Publishing Company, Dordrecht, Holand.

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Brasseur, G., Hitchman, M. (1987). The Effect of Breaking Gravity Waves on the Distribution of Trace Species in the Middle Atmosphere. In: Visconti, G., Garcia, R. (eds) Transport Processes in the Middle Atmosphere. NATO ASI Series, vol 213. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-3973-8_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-3973-8_15

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-8262-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-3973-8

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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