APPLICATIONS OF RADIATIVE PERTURBATION-THEORY TO CHANGES IN ABSORBINGGAS

The perturbation formulations presented in papers published by Box et al. have been investigated for homogeneous and real atmospheres by per turbing the optical thickness of an absorbing gas, with the emphasis i n this paper on ozone changes. Both exponential and linear perturbatio n formulations were investigated for a model with plane parallel geome try and different solar zenith angles. The results for the exponential perturbation predictions for net surface fluxes were very good in all cases where the solar zenith angle was less than 60 degrees. However, where the solar zenith angle was increased past 60 degrees, the range of validity of the perturbation models was clearly reduced. Applicati ons to action spectrum integrals are presented which show that the app roach is able to provide good results for zenith angles up to 60 degre es, with accuracy past this angle being better than for nonintegrated effects.