The vertical distribution of atmospheric ozone over Canadian stations from umkehr observations

Abstract

The vertical distribution of ozone is estimated from umkehr observations at the Canadian ozone stations at Edmonton, Moosonee and Resolute. Average seasonal vertical distributions are presented and compared with European and Indian results. The Canadian results indicate the existence of two levels of maximum ozone density, one at about 27 km and a lower one at about 15 km. During the spring, summer and autumn seasons the higher‐level maximum is slightly more predominant than the lower. However, during the winter months, the lower‐level maximum becomes much more pronounced. As a result, there is an extremely good correlation between ozone amount between 12 and 24 km and total ozone, three‐quarters of the seasonal changes in total ozone being attributable to changes in this layer.