Ozone transport from stratosphere to troposphere

Liaquat Husain, Peter E. Coffey, R. E. Meyers, R. T. Cederwall

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

43 Scopus citations

Abstract

7Be produced by the interaction of cosmic rays with oxygen and nitrogen, predominantly in the stratosphere, has been used to identify and measure stratospheric ozone at the ground level. Simultaneous measurements at Whiteface Mountain, New York, in July 1975 show that the maximum 7Be concentrations are accompanied by increased ozone concentrations. Peaks in 7Be concentrations occurred on July 5‐6, 11‐12, 16‐17, 23, and 27. Ozone peaks were observed on July 7‐9, 11, 18, 24, and 27. Isentropic trajectory calculations also showed that the trajectories reaching Whiteface Mountain on July 11‐12, 15‐16, 23, and 27 had stratospheric origin. One‐day delay in ozone peaks on July 7‐9, 18, and 24 is attributed to increased tropospheric ozone production. The observed relationship between 7Be and ozone is used to deduce an upper limit of 37 ppb stratospheric ozone at Whiteface Mountain during July 1975. Thus, even during midsummer months, when stratospheric‐tropospheric mass exchange is not at a maximum, stratospheric ozone may contribute substantially to the national ambient air quality standard of 80 ppb.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)363-365
Number of pages3
JournalGeophysical Research Letters
Volume4
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1977

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