Transport of emissions from the 2009 Australian forest fires through the stratosphere: a comparison of MLS observations with FLEXPART model calculations

The Australian forest fires of 2009 represent the most potent example of pyroconvection seen to date in the 5-year record of observations from the Aura Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS). Following the initial injection of polluted air into the stratosphere, the resulting plume was seen to be transported very large distances in the southern hemisphere. In this study we compare MLS observations of enhancements in carbon monoxide and other stratospheric trace gases to calculations from the FLEXPART model. Comparisons will quantify the extent to which our understanding of the transport of air within the stratosphere is borne out by daily global satellite observations.