Effect of lightning activity on surface NOx and O3 over a tropical station during premonsoon and monsoon seasons

• Published in: Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres 2012-03, Vol.117 (D5), p.n/a
• Main Authors: Pawar, Vidya, Pawar, S. D., Beig, Gufran, Sahu, S. K.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Atmospheric sciences; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; Geobiology; Geophysics; Lightning; Monsoons; Ozone; surface NOx; thunderstorm; Thunderstorms; Tropical environments
• ISSN: 0148-0227; 2169-897X; 2156-2202; 2169-8996
• DOI: 10.1029/2011JD016930

We study the effect of lightning activity on surface NOx and O3 over Pune, India (18.54°N, 73.81°E) for the years 2005 to 2008 during thunderstorm events in premonsoon and monsoon periods. Surface concentration of NOx is found to be increased significantly at the dissipation stage of thunderstorms. It is observed that increase in NOx greater than titration threshold level reduces the surface ozone concentration. However, in some cases when NOx increases but it does not reach the titration threshold limit, it helps in the production of ozone. Thus, results suggest that lightning production of NOx inside a thunderstorm can lead to significant impacts on surface ozone concentrations in the tropics. Enhancement in NOx at the surface after thunderstorm activity is much greater in premonsoon periods compared to the monsoon period. Key Points Surface NOx increase significantly during dissipation stage of thunderstorm NOx produced by lightning activity inside thundercloud transported downward Lightning production of NOx inside a thunder cloud can impact on a surface ozone