Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11765/378
Sudden increases in the NO2 column caused by thunderstorms: a case study in the northern subtropical region [Discussion paper]
Title: Sudden increases in the NO2 column caused by thunderstorms: a case study in the northern subtropical region [Discussion paper]
Authors: Gil-Ojeda, ManuelYela González, MargaritaCuevas Agulló, Emilio ORCID RESEARCHERID SCOPUSID Autor AEMETCarreño Corbella, VirgilioAutor AEMET
Keywords: NO2 column; Thunderstorms; Tropospheric transport; Air masses
Issue Date: 2004
Publisher: European Geosciences Union
Citation: Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Discussions [Preprint]. 2004, 4(3), p. 2263-2281
Publisher version: https://dx.doi.org/10.5194/acpd-4-2263-2004
Abstract: A long-term program for NO2 column measurements started in 1993 at the subtropical Izaña Observatory (28° N, 16° W). Seasonal evolution shows a small day-to-day variability as compared with higher latitudes. Sharp increases in the column appear occasionally superimposed on the annual cycle. The origin of these spikes is explored by considering the possibility of tropospheric transport from polluted areas, stratospheric intrusions, meridional transport in the stratosphere and production by lightning, in a case study. From radiative transfer calculations and meteorological information available, it is shown that the NO2 increase takes place in the upper troposphere with values of 300–400 pptv. Back-trajectories reveal that, for the case studied, the air masses came from an area of thunderstorms located upwind. After the analysis of the various possibilities, the NO2 increase by lightning production appears to be the most feasible cause. Annual distribution of spikes displays a maximum in late winter and spring during the shift from midlatitude winter tropopause to summer tropopause.
Sponsorship : This work has been partially supported by the EU QUILT Project (EVK2- 25 CT2000-0059). The back-trajectories were computed with the NDSC Data Host Facility (DHF) at NOAA/NCEP.
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11765/378
ISSN: 1680-7367
1680-7375
Appears in Collections:Artículos científicos 2000-2004


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