Stratospheric transport from the tropics to middle latitudes by planetary-wave mixing

摘要: TRANSPORT of air from the troposphere to stratosphere takes place mainly in tropics1. By studying satellite records dispersal volcanic aerosols tropical eruptions, Trepte and Hitchman2 concluded that there is a barrier inhibiting transport stratospheric tropics middle latitude, raising question how material has been transported subsequently conveyed higher latitudes. Here we present global maps nitrous oxide water mixing ratios obtained by Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite. We see strong latitudinal gradients these trace species, confirming existence transport. But superimposed on this background structure also planetary-scale ‘tongues’ extending out into latitudes, time sequences show irreversible Such episodes could be responsible for transporting significant quantities across barrier.