Stratospheric Response in the First Geoengineering Simulation Meeting Multiple Surface Climate Objectives. Issue 11 (4th June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Richter, Jadwiga, H.; Tilmes, Simone; Glanville, Anne; Kravitz, Ben; MacMartin, Douglas G.; Mills, Michael J.; Simpson, Isla R.; Vitt, Francis; Tribbia, Joseph J.; Lamarque, Jean‐Francois
• Is Part Of: Journal of geophysical research. Volume 123:Issue 11(2018)
• Page Start: 5762
• Page End: 5782
• Publication Date: 2018-06-04
• Subjects: geoengineering -- stratosphere -- climate -- sulfate aerosols; Atmospheric physics -- Periodicals; Geophysics -- Periodicals; 551.5
• DOI: 10.1029/2018JD028285
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2169-897X

Abstract

Abstract: We describe here changes in stratospheric dynamics and chemistry in a first century‐long sulfate aerosol geoengineering simulation in which the mean surface temperature and the interhemispheric and equator‐to‐pole surface temperature gradients were kept near their 2020 levels despite the RCP8.5 emission scenario. Simulations were carried out with the Community Earth System Model, version 1 with the Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model as its atmospheric component [CESM1(WACCM)] coupled to a feedback algorithm controlling the magnitude of sulfur dioxide (SO2 ) injections at four injection latitudes. We find that, throughout the entire geoengineering simulation, the lower stratospheric temperatures increase by ∼0.19 K per Tg SO2 injection per year or ∼10 K with ∼40 Tg SO2 /year total SO2 injection. These temperature changes are associated with a strengthening of the polar jets in the stratosphere and weakening of the mean zonal wind in the lower stratosphere subtropics and throughout the troposphere, associated with weaker storm track activity. In the geoengineering simulation the quasi‐biennial oscillation of the tropical lower stratospheric winds remains close to the presently observed quasi‐biennial oscillation, even for large amounts of SO2 injection. Water vapor in the stratosphere increases substantially: by 25% with ∼20 Tg SO2 /year annual injection and by up to 90% with a ∼40 Tg SO2 /year injection. Stratospheric column ozone in the geoengineering simulation is predicted to recover to or supersede preozone hole conditions by the end of the century. Key Points: Stratospheric dynamics and chemistry are examined in a geoengineering simulation in which three surface temperature goals are met Stratospheric extratropical winds increase, subtropical jets and storm tracks weaken, frequency of SSWs is reduced, QBO similar to present Stratospheric water vapor increases, column ozone increases to preozone hole levels by the end of century, ozone hole recovery is delayed