Continental scale and orographic structures in the global distribution of the total ozone content

The phenomena associated with the continental effect in total ozone distribution first reported by Cuevas et al. (1995)has been further studied by a detailed graphical analysis of Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) data (version 7, NASA GSFC). This has reconfirmed, from the monthly mean global ozone images, the existence of the contours of some continents and peninsulas (e.g. Africa, Saudi Peninsula, Indian Peninsula) as well as high mountain chains and massifs (e.g. Andes, Rocky Mountains, Himalaya). It is doubtful that a significant decrease of the total ozone content over high mountains may be explained simply by a shorter atmospheric ozone column. The upward motions caused when horizontal winds meet an orthogonal orographic obstacle and\or the viscous dissipation of waves propagating from below are more preferable mechanisms to explain this effect.