On ionic contributions to Pedersen conductance

Abstract

Ionospheric conductivity is a key parameter to understand the upper atmosphere electrodynamics, magnetosphere-ionosphere-thermosphere coupling and several geophysical processes. In the case of Pedersen conductivity, ions and electrons are moving in opposite direction, so that it results from the addition of the separate contributions. In this work, the role of the three main ions, that is, NO+, O2 +, and O+, in the conductivity height profile and in the conductance global pattern is analyzed for different solar activity levels and seasons. NO+ is the is the main contributor for the maximum conductivity in all the cases in the E layer; however, O+ takes relevance with a significant percentage of the conductance at certain regions such as the South Atlantic Anomaly and the crests at the equatorial ionization anomaly, becoming the main conducting ion in these zones when the solar activity is high. Regarding seasonal effects, the role of NO+ in the conductivity is maximum on summer hemisphere, while O+ becomes important in winter and maximum with high solar activity. O2 + has maximum percentage close to magnetic poles, where the magnetic field strength is intense lowering the peak conducting level.