Comparison of the Vertical Distribution of Thermal Stability in the Lower Stratosphere with the Vertical Distribution of Atmospheric Ozone

Abstract

A study is made of a series of daily ozone and temperature soundings taken at Albuquerque, N. Mex., in March 1965. In the lower stratosphere, the layer structure of ozone corresponds rather well to the layer structure of the thermal stability. Significant features of curves representing the vertical distribution of the vertical fractional gradient of partial pressure of ozone can be related to significant features of the curves representing the corresponding vertical distribution of the vertical fractional gradient of potential temperature. Large-scale meridional displacements and interpenetrations of subtropical and polar or mid-latitude stratospheric air masses and their effects on the vertical distribution of ozone are discussed.