An evaluation of lightning and corona discharge on thunderstorm air and precipitation chemistry

Published data are synthesized to provide a best estimate for the integrated effect of cloud-to-ground lightning, intracloud lightning, and corona discharge on air and precipitation chemistry for an idealized thunderstorm. The cloud volume concentration of nitric oxide, the predominant chemical spec...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of atmospheric chemistry 1990-01, Vol.10 (1), p.83-96
Main Authors: Sisterson, D L, Liaw, Y P
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:Published data are synthesized to provide a best estimate for the integrated effect of cloud-to-ground lightning, intracloud lightning, and corona discharge on air and precipitation chemistry for an idealized thunderstorm. The cloud volume concentration of nitric oxide, the predominant chemical species produced by lightning, is about 0.8 ppb for an undiluted, idealized storm volume of 1.5 x 10 super(3) km super(3). NO production values are used to scale theoretical estimates of other chemical species produced by lightning, such as ozone, that can be scavenged by precipitation. The maximum concentrations of these pollutants in rainwater are estimated by assuming complete removal of these acid rain-related species and found to be insignificant.
ISSN:0167-7764
1573-0662
DOI:10.1007/BF01980039