Fig. 1: Stratospheric N2O mixing ratios, N2O loss rate, and overturning circulation. | Communications Earth & Environment

Fig. 1: Stratospheric N2O mixing ratios, N2O loss rate, and overturning circulation.

From: Semi-empirical estimates of stratospheric circulation and the lifetimes of chlorofluorocarbons and carbon tetrachloride

Fig. 1

A Zonal mean ACE-FTS N2O mixing ratios from 2005 to 2022, with arrows denoting approximate areas of upward and downward mass flux. B Time-average N2O loss rate as a function of height, calculated using seasonal N2O profiles from 2005 to 2022 and a photochemistry model. Shading denotes the total loss above a given height (\({L}_{{{{{\rm{N}}}}}_{2}{{{\rm{O}}}}}\) in equation (3)). C The overturning circulation strength according to the mass balance of N2O above each isentrope, with a previous observationally-derived strength at 460 K30 included for comparison. The solid line shows the median circulation strength from 2005 to 2022, and the shading denotes the 95% CI of the 5-year average circulation strength when accounting for measurement uncertainty and temporal variability.

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