Spatial regression analysis on 32 years total column ozone data

Abstract

Abstract. Multiple-regressions analysis have been performed on 32 years of total ozone column data that was spatially gridded with a 1° × 1.5° resolution. The total ozone data consists of the MSR (Multi Sensor Reanalysis; 1979–2008) and two years of assimilated SCIAMACHY ozone data (2009–2010). The two-dimensionality in this data-set allows us to perform the regressions locally and investigate spatial patterns of regression coefficients and their explanatory power. Seasonal dependencies of ozone on regressors are included in the analysis. A new physically oriented model is developed to parameterize stratospheric ozone. Ozone variations on non-seasonal timescales are parameterized by explanatory variables describing the solar cycle, stratospheric aerosols, the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO), El Nino (ENSO) and stratospheric alternative halogens (EESC). For several explanatory variables, seasonally adjusted versions of these explanatory variables are constructed to account for the difference in their effect on ozone throughout the year. To account for seasonal variation in ozone, explanatory variables describing the polar vortex, geopotential height, potential vorticity and average day length are included. Results of this regression model are compared to that of similar analysis based on a more commonly applied statistically oriented model. The physically oriented model provides spatial patterns in the regression results for each explanatory variable. The EESC has a significant depleting effect on ozone at high and mid-latitudes, the solar cycle affects ozone positively mostly at the Southern Hemisphere, stratospheric aerosols affect ozone negatively at high Northern latitudes, the effect of QBO is positive and negative at the tropics and mid to high-latitudes respectively and ENSO affects ozone negatively between 30° N and 30° S, particularly at the Pacific. The contribution of explanatory variables describing seasonal ozone variation is generally large at mid to high latitudes. We observe ozone contributing effects for potential vorticity and day length, negative effect on ozone for geopotential height and variable ozone effects due to the polar vortex at regions to the north and south of the polar vortices. Recovery of ozone is identified globally. However, recovery rates and uncertainties strongly depend on choices that can be made in defining the explanatory variables. In particular the recovery rates over Antarctica might not be statistically significant. Furthermore, the results show that there is no spatial homogeneous pattern which regression model and explanatory variables provide the best fit to the data and the most accurate estimates of the recovery rates. Overall these results suggest that care has to be taken in determining ozone recovery rates, in particular for the Antarctic ozone hole.