Twenty-first century trends in mixing barriers and eddy transport in the lower stratosphere

Abstract

Future trends in isentropic mixing in the lower stratosphere remain largely unexplored, in contrast with other aspects of stratospheric tracer transport. This study examines trends in effective diffusivity κ_(eff), a measure of the potential of the flow to produce isentropic mixing, in recent chemistry-climate model simulations. The results highlight substantial reduction of κ_(eff) in the upper flanks of the subtropical jets from fall to spring, which are strengthened in response to greenhouse gas increases. This contrasts with stronger eddy transport, associated with increased wave drag in the region, peaking in summer near the critical lines. The key role of changes in tracer meridional gradients in addition to transport barriers for isentropic mixing trends is evidenced. The projected ozone recovery leads to enhanced κ_(eff) in polar austral spring and summer, associated with a weaker and shorter-lived austral polar vortex by the end of the 21st century.