Journal article
Estimating the influence of lightning on upper tropospheric ozone using NLDN lightning data and CMAQ model
Atmospheric environment (1994), Vol.67, pp.219-228
03/01/2013
DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2012.11.001
Abstract
Lightning is a particularly significant NOx source in the middle and upper troposphere where it affects tropospheric chemistry and ozone. Because the version-4 Community Multiscale Air Quality Modeling System (CMAQ) does not account for NOx emission from lightning, it underpredicts NOx above the mixed layer. In this study, the National Lightning Detection Network™ (NLDN) lightning data are applied to the CMAQ model to simulate the influence of lightning-produced NOx (LNOx) on upper tropospheric NOx and subsequent ozone concentration. Using reasonable values for salient parameters (detection efficiency ∼95%, cloud flash to ground flash ratio ∼3, LNOx production rate ∼500 mol N per flash), the NLDN ground flashes are converted into total lightning NOx amount and then vertically distributed on 39 CMAQ model layers according to a vertical-distribution profile of lightning N mass. This LNOx contributes 27% of the total NOx emission during 15 July ∼7 September 2006. This additional NOx reduces the low-bias of simulated tropospheric O3 columns with respect to OMI tropospheric O3 columns from 10 to 5%. Although the model prediction of ozone in upper troposphere improves by ∼20 ppbv due to lightning-produced NOx above the southeastern and eastern U.S.A., the improved ozone prediction is still ∼20–25 ppbv lower than ozonesonde measurements.
► Not accounting for lightning NOx, CMAQ underpredicts NOx above the mixed layer. ► We estimate LNOx emissions based on NLDN ground flashes and applied it to CMAQ. ► LNOx contributes 27% of the total NOx emission during 15 July–7 September 2006. ► LNOx improves upper tropospheric O3 by ∼20 ppbv above the southeastern and eastern U.S.A. ► The improved ozone prediction is still ∼20–25 ppbv lower than ozonesonde measurements.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Estimating the influence of lightning on upper tropospheric ozone using NLDN lightning data and CMAQ model
- Creators
- Lihua Wang - University of Alabama in HuntsvilleM.J. Newchurch - University of Alabama in HuntsvilleArastoo Pour-Biazar - University of Alabama in HuntsvilleShi Kuang - University of Alabama in HuntsvilleMaudood Khan - Universities Space Research AssociationXiong Liu - Center for Astrophysics Harvard & SmithsonianWilliam Koshak - Marshall Space Flight CenterKelly Chance - Center for Astrophysics Harvard & Smithsonian
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Atmospheric environment (1994), Vol.67, pp.219-228
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2012.11.001
- ISSN
- 1352-2310
- eISSN
- 1873-2844
- Number of pages
- 10
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 03/01/2013
- Academic Unit
- Iowa Technology Institute
- Record Identifier
- 9984721218602771
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