Interaction between the troposphere and stratosphere

Abstract

Three aspects o f the interaction between troposphere and stratosphere are considered: (i) mass transports, (ii) radiative processes, (hi) dynamical effects. (i) T he transport o f constituents across the tropopause is a major feature in determining the detailed com position of the stratosphere since the principal sources and sinks of many of its chemical species are located in the troposphere or at the Earth ’s surface. The nature of this transfer by the mean circulations and smaller scale phenomena is described. (ii) Since the radiation balance throughout the atmosphere is affected by the composition at all levels, changes in radiatively important constituents in one atmospheric region may affect conditions in another. The possible importance of this mechanism in troposphere—stratosphere interaction is discussed. (hi) It is now well established that upward transfer of mechanical energy from the troposphere by planetary-w ave motions plays a major role in driving the general circulation o f the stratosphere. Recent studies clarifying some details of the processes involved are outlined. The possibility that the stratospheric circulation could significantly influence tropospheric motions is also briefly considered.