Chemical ozone loss in the Arctic winter 2002/2003 determined with Match

The Match technique was used to determine chemically induced ozone loss inside the stratospheric vortex during the Arctic winter 2002/2003. From end of November 2002, which is the earliest start of a Match campaign ever, until end of March 2003 approximately 800 ozonesondes were launched from 30 stations in the Arctic and mid latitudes. Ozone loss rates were quantified from the beginning of December until mid of March in the vertical region of 400-550 K potential temperature. In December ozone destruction rates varied between 10-15 ppbv/day depending on height. Maximum loss rates around 35 ppbv/day were reached during late January. Afterwards ozone loss rates decreased until mid-March when the final warming of the vortex began and measurements for the campaign were no longer possible. In the period of 2 December 2002 to 16 March 2003 the accumulated ozone loss reduced the partial ozone column of 400-500 K potential temperature by 56+/-4 DU. The sensitivity of the results on recent improvements of the approach has been tested.