CONTRIBUTION OF MESOSPHERIC OZONE VARIABILITY TO THE DIURNAL ASYMMETRY IN D-REGION ELECTRON-DENSITY

Numerical calculations based on one-dimensional time-dependent minor n eutral constituent model coupled with an appropriate ion-chemical sche me showed that an asymmetry exists in the diurnal variations of electr on density as well as ozone concentrations in the mesosphere. The stri king similarity between the diurnal variations of the two species sugg ests that ozone plays an important role in the D-region ion-chemical s cheme and contributes significantly to the diurnal asymmetry in D-regi on electron density.