Stratospheric Ozone–Induced Cloud Radiative Effects on Antarctic Sea Ice

Recent studies demonstrated that the Antarctic Ozone Hole has important influences on Antarctic sea ice. While most of these works have focused on effects associated with ozone-induced atmospheric and oceanic dynamics, here we show that stratospheric ozone-induced cloud radiative effects also play important roles in causing changes in Antarctic sea ice. Our simulations demonstrate that the recovery of the Antarctic Ozone Hole causes decreases of clouds over Southern-Hemisphere (SH) high latitudes. Cloud decrease causes reduction of downward infrared radiation, especially in austral autumn. It leads to ocean surface cooling and increasing Antarctic sea ice. Surface cooling involves ice-albedo feedback. Increasing sea ice reflects solar radiation and causes further cooling and more increases in sea ice.