SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1978
STP36599S

Implications of the Vertical Distribution of Ozone in the Troposphere

Source

Ozone observed within the troposphere, but above the planetary boundary layer, may arrive there by various routes—descent from the stratosphere, ascent from the surface, or descent from the stratosphere followed by ascent. Once ozone has left the lower stratosphere through a tropopause break it can be transported horizontally for several days before descending to the boundary layer. During this period it may remain as a discrete maximum within a dry, stable layer or undergo mixing with the surrounding air (which may include anthropogenic oxidant) producing an ozone concentration which is uniform with height, in a relatively moist layer. High amounts of stratospheric ozone existing within the troposphere can be expected within dry, stable layers which intersect low tropopauses. High concentrations of stratospheric ozone have been observed to accumulate above a subsidence inversion at the same time that anthropogenic oxidant produces smog below the inversion. Examples are given of the use of isentropic trajectories, ozone profiles, temperature-humidity soundings, and synoptic weather maps in the study of tropospheric ozone.

Author Information

Sticksel, PR
Battelle Columbus Laboratories, Columbus, Ohio
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Details
Developed by Committee: D22
Pages: 421–444
DOI: 10.1520/STP36599S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-4723-2
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-0275-0