Space-borne observations link the tropical Atlantic ozone maximum and paradox to lightning

G. S. Jenkins (1) , J.-H. Ryu (1)

1 PennState Meteorology Department

The causes of high tropospheric column ozone values over the Tropical Atlantic Ocean during September, October, and November (SON) are investigated by examining lightning during 1998?2001. The cause for high tropospheric column ozone in the hemisphere opposite of biomass burning (tropical ozone paradox) is also examined. Our results show that lightning is central to high tropospheric column ozone during SON and responsible for the tropical ozone paradox during December, January, and February (DJF) and June, July and August (JJA). During SON large numbers of flashes are observed in South America, Central and West Africa enriching the tropospheric column ozone over the Tropical Atlantic Ocean. During JJA the largest numbers of lightning flashes are observed in West Africa, enriching tropospheric column ozone to the north of 5° S in the absence biomass burning. During DJF, lightning is concentrated in South America and Central Africa enriching tropospheric column ozone south of the Equator in the absence of biomass burning.

Domaines: Océan, Atmosphère

G. S. Jenkins, J.-H. Ryu. Space-borne observations link the tropical Atlantic ozone maximum and paradox to lightning. Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics Discussions, 2003, 3 (6), pp.5725-5754. ⟨hal-00301370⟩