In:
Geoscientific Model Development, Copernicus GmbH, Vol. 14, No. 9 ( 2021-09-08), p. 5525-5560
Abstract:
Abstract. This paper features the new
atmosphere–ocean–aerosol–chemistry–climate model, SOlar Climate Ozone Links (SOCOL) v4.0, and its
validation. The new model was built by interactively coupling the Max
Planck Institute Earth System Model version 1.2 (MPI-ESM1.2)
(T63, L47) with the chemistry (99 species) and
size-resolving (40 bins) sulfate aerosol microphysics modules from the
aerosol–chemistry–climate model, SOCOL-AERv2. We evaluate its performance
against reanalysis products and observations of atmospheric circulation,
temperature, and trace gas distribution, with a focus on stratospheric
processes. We show that SOCOLv4.0 captures the low- and midlatitude
stratospheric ozone well in terms of the climatological state, variability
and evolution. The model provides an accurate representation of climate
change, showing a global surface warming trend consistent with observations
as well as realistic cooling in the stratosphere caused by greenhouse gas
emissions, although, as in previous model versions, a too-fast residual
circulation and exaggerated mixing in the surf zone are still present. The
stratospheric sulfur budget for moderate volcanic activity is well
represented by the model, albeit with slightly underestimated aerosol
lifetime after major eruptions. The presence of the interactive ocean and a
successful representation of recent climate and ozone layer trends make
SOCOLv4.0 ideal for studies devoted to future ozone evolution and effects of
greenhouse gases and ozone-destroying substances, as well as the evaluation
of potential solar geoengineering measures through sulfur injections.
Potential further model improvements could be to increase the vertical
resolution, which is expected to allow better meridional transport in the
stratosphere, as well as to update the photolysis calculation module and
budget of mesospheric odd nitrogen. In summary, this paper demonstrates that
SOCOLv4.0 is well suited for applications related to the stratospheric ozone
and sulfate aerosol evolution, including its participation in ongoing and
future model intercomparison projects.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1991-9603
DOI:
10.5194/gmd-14-5525-2021
Language:
English
Publisher:
Copernicus GmbH
Publication Date:
2021
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2456725-5
Permalink
