Impact of wave dynamics and turbulence on stratosphere-troposphere exchange of ozone during convective events

High vertical resolution radiosondes and ozonesondes are launched every week from stations in Southern Hemisphere ADditional OZonesondes (SHADOZ) network. We have analyzed the data of winds, temperature, ozone mixing ratio and relative humidity of a tropical station Costa Rica (10° N, 83.4° W) to study the laminar structures of ozone profiles which are supposed to be responsible for exchange of chemical species between troposphere and stratosphere. We confine our study only to a few days in convective season since the exchange process is reported to be strong during convection. Spectral analyses in two wavelength bands and correlation results confirm the gravity wave and Inertia/Rossby gravity wave activities to be responsible for the formation of ozone laminae. Eddy diffusivity computed by using simultaneous radiosonde measurements display significant turbulence estimates, particularly, below the tropopause, where laminar structures are mostly observed. Wind shear is also high in the region. We conclude that a combination of wind shear, wave activity and local turbulence is responsible in the transport of minor constituents between troposphere and stratosphere.