Momentum flux characteristics of vertically propagating gravity waves
<p>Momentum flux and propagation dynamics of two vertically propagating atmospheric gravity waves (GWs) are studied using observations at São João do Cariri (7.40° S, 36.31° W), Brazil, from co-located photometer, all-sky imager, and meteor radar instruments. Time series of the atomic oxygen g...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics |
| Online Access: | https://acp.copernicus.org/articles/25/4053/2025/acp-25-4053-2025.pdf |
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| Summary: | <p>Momentum flux and propagation dynamics of two vertically propagating atmospheric gravity waves (GWs) are studied using observations at São João do Cariri (7.40° S, 36.31° W), Brazil, from co-located photometer, all-sky imager, and meteor radar instruments. Time series of the atomic oxygen green line (OI 557.7 <span class="inline-formula">nm</span>), molecular oxygen (<span class="inline-formula">O<sub>2</sub></span> (0–1)), sodium D-line (NaD), and hydroxyl (OH (6–2)) airglow intensity variations measured by the photometer were used to investigate the vertical characteristics and vertical phase progression of the GWs with similar (<span class="inline-formula">±</span> 10 % of the error margin) or nearly the same (<span class="inline-formula">±</span> 5 % of the error margin) period across these emission layers. The horizontal parameters of the same GWs were determined from the OH airglow images, whereas the intrinsic parameters of the horizontal and vertical components of the GWs were estimated with the aid of the observed winds. Using the phase of the GWs at each emission layer, the characteristics of the phase progression exhibited near-vertical propagation under a duct background propagation condition. This indicates that the duct contributes significantly to the observed near-vertical phase propagation. The GW momentum flux and potential energy were estimated using the rotational temperatures of OH and <span class="inline-formula">O<sub>2</sub></span>, revealing that the time series of momentum fluxes and potential energies are higher in the <span class="inline-formula">O<sub>2</sub></span> emission band than in the OH band, indicating a transfer of momentum and energy across OH to the <span class="inline-formula">O<sub>2</sub></span> altitude. These results reveal the effect of a duct on vertically propagating GWs and the associated momentum flux and potential energy transfer from the lower to the upper altitudes in the mesosphere.</p> |
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| ISSN: | 1680-7316 1680-7324 |