HALOE OBSERVATIONS OF THE VERTICAL STRUCTURE OF CHEMICAL OZONE DEPLETION IN THE ARCTIC VORTEX DURING WINTER AND EARLY SPRING 1996-1997

We discuss observations by the Halogen Occultation Experiment on the U pper Atmosphere Research Satellite in the lower stratosphere in the Ar ctic vortex during winter and spring 1996-1997. Using HF as a chemical ly conserved tracer, we identify chemical ozone depletion and chlorine activation, despite variations caused by dynamical processes. For the Arctic vortex region, significant chemical ozone loss (up to two thir ds around 475 K potential temperature) due to extensive activation of the inorganic chlorine reservoir is deduced, as observed similarly for previous winters. Chemical reductions in column ozone of up to 70-80 Dobson units (DU) in the lower stratosphere are calculated. Both chlor ine activation and ozone loss inside the vortex, however, are more var iable than observed in previous years.