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Impact of molecular diffusion on the CO2 distribution and the temperature in the mesosphere

dc.contributor.authorChabrillat, S.
dc.contributor.authorKockarts, G.
dc.contributor.authorFonteyn, D.
dc.contributor.authorBrasseur, G.
dc.date2002
dc.date.accessioned2017-05-03T12:11:07Z
dc.date.available2017-05-03T12:11:07Z
dc.identifier.urihttps://orfeo.belnet.be/handle/internal/5193
dc.descriptionModelling the energy budget in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere requires a precise evaluation of CO2 distribution in this region. This distribution is primarily determined by competition between vertical eddy diffusion and molecular diffusion. A simple algorithm is proposed to take into account both processes, at all altitudes. Using the SOCRATES bi-dimensional model of the middle atmosphere, we show that molecular diffusion has a direct impact on CO2 vertical distribution down to approximately 80 km altitude, i.e. well into the mesosphere and below the turbopause altitude. A sensitivity study with regard to different aeronomical processes shows that molecular diffusion has the deepest influence in the mesospheric polar night region. Our model shows that molecular diffusion of CO2 is responsible for a polar night mesopause 12 K warmer than if this process was neglected. Hence, dynamical models should take this process in account across the whole mesospheric altitude range.
dc.languageeng
dc.titleImpact of molecular diffusion on the CO2 distribution and the temperature in the mesosphere
dc.typeArticle
dc.subject.frascatiEarth and related Environmental sciences
dc.audienceScientific
dc.subject.freeAlgorithms
dc.subject.freeCarbon dioxide
dc.subject.freeDiffusion in gases
dc.subject.freeMathematical models
dc.subject.freeBudget control
dc.subject.freeDiffusion
dc.subject.freeDiffusion in liquids
dc.subject.freeDiffusion in solids
dc.subject.freeIonosphere
dc.subject.freeMesospheres
dc.subject.freeAtmospheric composition
dc.subject.freeCarbon dioxide
dc.subject.freeatmospheric chemistry
dc.subject.freecarbon dioxide
dc.subject.freeenergy budget
dc.subject.freemesosphere
dc.subject.freetemperature
dc.subject.freeDimensional model
dc.subject.freeDynamical model
dc.subject.freeMesosphere and lower thermosphere
dc.subject.freeMiddle atmosphere
dc.subject.freeMolecular diffusion
dc.subject.freeSensitivity studies
dc.subject.freeSIMPLE algorithm
dc.subject.freeVertical distributions
dc.source.titleGeophysical Research Letters
dc.source.volume29
dc.source.issue15
dc.source.pageA1729
Orfeo.peerreviewedYes
dc.identifier.doi10.1029/2002GL015309
dc.identifier.scopus2-s2.0-0036705367


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