On the export of reactive nitrogen from Asia: NOx partitioning and effects on ozone
Bertram, TH; Perring, AE; Wooldridge, PJ; Dibb, J; Avery, MA; Cohen, RC
| HERO ID | 1713266 |
|---|---|
| In Press | No |
| Year | 2013 |
| Title | On the export of reactive nitrogen from Asia: NOx partitioning and effects on ozone |
| Authors | Bertram, TH; Perring, AE; Wooldridge, PJ; Dibb, J; Avery, MA; Cohen, RC |
| Journal | Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics |
| Volume | 13 |
| Issue | 9 |
| Page Numbers | 4617-4630 |
| Abstract | The partitioning of reactive nitrogen (NOy) was measured over the remote North Pacific during spring 2006. Aircraft observations of NO, NO2, total peroxy nitrates (Sigma PNs), total alkyl and multi-functional nitrates (Sigma ANs) and nitric acid (HNO3), made between 25 degrees and 55 degrees N, confirm a controlling role for peroxyacyl nitrates in NOx production in aged Asian outflow. Sigma PNs account for more than 60% of NOy above 5 km, while thermal dissociation limits their contribution to less than 10% in the lower troposphere. Using simultaneous observations of NOx, Sigma PNs, Sigma ANs, HNO3 and average wind speed, we calculate the flux of reactive nitrogen through the meridional plane of 150 degrees W (between 20 degrees and 55 degrees N) to be 0.007 +/- 0.002 Tg N day(-1), which provides an upper limit of 23 +/- 6.5% on the transport efficiency of NOy from East Asia. Observations of NOx, and HOx are used to constrain a 0-D photochemical box model for the calculation of net photochemical ozone production or tendency (Delta O-3) as a function of aircraft altitude and NOx concentrations. The model analysis indicates that the photochemical environment of the lower troposphere (altitude < 6km) over the north Pacific is one of net O-3 destruction, with an experimentally determined crossover point between net O-3 destruction and net O-3 production of 60 pptv NOx. Qualitative indicators of integrated net O-3 production derived from simultaneous measurements of O-3 and light alkanes (Parrish et al., 1992), also indicate that the north Pacific is, on average, a region of net O-3 destruction. |
| Doi | 10.5194/acp-13-4617-2013 |
| Wosid | WOS:000318941300010 |
| Is Certified Translation | No |
| Dupe Override | No |
| Comments | Source: Web of Science WOS:000318941300010 |
| Is Public | Yes |