The Role of Tropospheric Processes in Forming the Sporadic Layers of E Ionospheric Region over the Antarctic Peninsula

Abstract

The impact of tropospheric weather on the generation of sporadic E layers (Es) over the Antarctic Peninsula is considered with the Akademik Vernadsky station experimental data obtained during 1993 thru 2005. The investigation is carried out by comparing the conditional probabilities of Es appearance for various weather conditions. The low surface air pressure increases the probability of appearance of both dense and semi-transparent Es layers in winter months. Meanwhile, the positive North-East wind projection (associated with frontal activity) increases the probability of semi-transparent layers while reducing the repetition of dense ones. The facts outlined can be interpreted as a result of propagation of atmospheric gravity and planetary (Rossby) waves from the troposphere up to ionospheric heights. The probability of Es formation in winter grows in minimal phase of pressure of planetary wave. The role of atmospheric gravity waves consists in exciting of small- and mesoscale plasma irregularities and disturbing the regular Es structure.