Parameters of anisotropic and isotropic spectra of refractivity, density and temperature perturbations obtained from GOMOS satellite measurements of stellar scintillations are used to estimate turbulent Thorpe scales, LT, diffusivities, K, and energy dissipation rates, ε, in the stratosphere. At low latitudes, average values for altitudes 30–45 km in September–November 2004 are LT~1–1.1 m, ε~(1.8–2.4)×10−5 W kg−1, and K ~ (1.2–1.6) × 10−2 m2 s−1 depending on different assumed values of parameters of anisotropic and isotropic spectra. Respective standard deviations of individual values including all kinds of variability are δLT ~ 0.6–0.7 m, δε ~(2.3–3.5)×10−5 W kg−1, and δK ~ (1.7–2.6)×10−2 m2 s−1. These values correspond to high-resolution balloon measurements of turbulent characteristics in the stratosphere, and to previous satellite stellar scintillation measurements. Distributions of turbulent characteristics at altitudes 30–45 km in low latitudes have maxima at longitudes 30–100° W, 0–60° E and 90–180° E,
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)18007-18030
JournalAtmospheric Chemistry and Physics Discussions
Volume13
DOIs
StatePublished - 2013

ID: 5630534