Some Effects of Multiple Scattering on Heating Rates in the Ozone Layer

Abstract

The effects of multiple scattering on the heating rates in the ozone layer are investigated. Computations are performed for two wavelengths, one rather highly absorbing, ?=3112 Å, and one rather weakly absorbing, ?=3323 Å, and for three solar elevation angles. These results are compared with heating rates computed on the basis of a Beer's law type of exponential absorption, neglecting all scattering. It is shown that, at the weakly absorbing wavelength, and for small zenith angles, the effect of scattering is such as to increase the heating rate by about 40 per cent. At the more highly absorbing wavelength, scattering effects are small and may safely be neglected.