Model Study of the Seasonal Distribution
of the Total Atmospheric Ozone Content

S. P. Smyshlyaev, B. D. Panin, and O. G. Aniskina

Russian State Hydrometeorological Institute, Malookhtinskii pr. 98, St. Petersburg, 195196 Russia

Received July 17, 1997; in final form, October 1, 1998

Abstract—A two-dimensional zonally averaged model of the atmosphere is used to study peculiarities in the
seasonal distribution of the total ozone content (TOC) within different latitudinal zones. The TOC sensitivity
to variations of photochemical, dynamic, and radiative factors is studied. Small variations in parameters are
studied using sensitivity theory, which is based on integration of variational finite-difference equations. To
study the variability of ozone-forming factors over a wider range, numerical experiments with a reference
model are carried out. This model adequately reproduces the peculiarities observed in the season–latitude TOC
distribution. It is shown that the seasonal TOC variability in the tropics is mainly determined by photochemical
processes and vertical turbulent mixing, while in the polar regions, it is mainly determined by advection and
horizontal turbulent diffusion. The processes described by the off-diagonal components of the turbulent diffu-
sion tensor have a determining effect on the winter–spring dynamic regime in the polar regions, notably in the
Southern Hemisphere.

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