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Brewer-Dobson circulation

Physics & Chemistry:

Brewer-Dobson circulation

This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor: C Michael Hogan
This article is written at a definitional level only. Authors wishing to improve this entry are inivited to expand the present treatment, which additions will be peer reviewed prior to publication of any expansion.
Schematic representation of the Brewer-Dobson circulation and Middle  Atmosphere Transport. Tropospheric air masses enter the stratosphere via  the tropical tropopause, from where they are distributed via different  pathways in the stratosphere. Trace gas measurements can help in  identifying different pathways and their relative importance. Source: Frankfurt University Schematic representation of the Brewer-Dobson circulation and Middle Atmosphere Transport. Tropospheric air masses enter the stratosphere via the tropical tropopause, from where they are distributed via different pathways in the stratosphere. Trace gas measurements can help in identifying different pathways and their relative importance. Source: Frankfurt University

Brewer-Dobson circulation is the meridional atmospheric circulation that transports air poleward and downward from the tropical middle atmosphere. Air is transferred between the equator and poles by this circulation on a time scale of months, indicative of the strong control by the Coriolis force that deflects the air stream zonally and inhibits meridional motions.

Further Reading:

  • Physical Oceanography Index
  • M. Salby. The atmosphere. In K. E. Trenberth, editor, Climate System Modeling, pages 53-115. Cambridge Univ. Press, 1992.
  • Atmospheric Transport, Frankfurt University (accessed March 30, 2010)

 

Citation

Steve Baum (Contributing Author);C Michael Hogan (Topic Editor) "Brewer-Dobson circulation". In: Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. Cutler J. Cleveland (Washington, D.C.: Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment). [First published in the Encyclopedia of Earth March 30, 2010; Last revised Date October 28, 2011; Retrieved May 23, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Brewer-Dobson_circulation?topic=49557>

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