Transport versus energetic particle precipitation: Northern polar stratospheric NOx and ozone in January–March 2012

In early 2012, a strong sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) took place, accompanied by several medium‐scale solar proton events (SPEs). Here we use a chemistry transport model (CTM) in order to assess the relative contributions of (1) intensified downward transport of odd nitrogen (NOx) and (2) in situ production of NOx by protons, on stratospheric NOx and ozone during January–March 2012. The CTM is constrained by an upper boundary condition for reactive nitrogen (NOy) species, based on satellite observations from Michelson Interferometer for Passive Atmospheric Sounding (MIPAS) on board Envisat, and includes a new parameterization of the SPE‐caused effects on NOy and odd hydrogen (HOx) species. We found that the amount of NOx increases due to both transport and in situ production effects, the intensified descent of NOx dominating the middle and upper stratospheric impact. The model results indicate NOx enhancements of 120–3300% (5–48 ppbv) between 38 and 50 km, caused by the transport of mesosphere/lower thermosphere NOx down to the stratosphere following the SSW. The SPEs increase NOx by up to 820–1200% (14–21 ppbv) at 33 to 50 km. The effect on the stratospheric ozone is larger following the downward transport of NOx than during and after the SPEs. The model predicts ozone losses of up to 17% and 9% at around 40 km due to transport and SPE effects, respectively. Key Points Effect of NOx descent and SPEs on stratospheric ozone is studied using a chemistry transport model In early 2012, intensified descent after SSW leads to more NH stratospheric ozone loss than SPEs Model includes improved parameterization of NOy upper boundary and SPE‐driven ion chemistry