Constraints on Gravity Wave Induced Diffusion in the Middle Atmosphere

摘要: A review of the important constraints on gravity wave induced diffusion chemical tracers, heat, and momentum is given. Ground-based microwave spectroscopy measurements H2O CO rocket-based mass spectrometer Ar constrain eddy coefficient for constituent transport (K zz ) to be (1 – 3) × 105 cm2s-1 in upper mesosphere. Atomic oxygen data also limits K a comparable value at mesopause. From energy balance mesosphere heat (D H is, most 6 mesopause decreasing substantially with altitude. The available evidence mean wind deceleration corresponding stresses M suggests that it least 1 106 cm2s-1, Consequently Prandtl number macroscopic scale lengths > 3.