Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3087
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3087
05 Nov 2024
 | 05 Nov 2024
Status: this preprint is open for discussion and under review for Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (ACP).

Representing improved tropospheric ozone distribution by including lightning NOx emissions in CHIMERE

Sanhita Ghosh, Arineh Cholakian, Sylvain Mailler, and Laurent Menut

Abstract. Estimating nitrogen oxide emissions from lightning (LNOx) in models is highly uncertain, affecting the accuracy of atmospheric composition and air quality assessments. Still, it is essential to include the emissions in model to increase the realism in representing the model outcomes. LNOx emissions have recently been incorporated into the updated version of the CHIMERE model (v2023r2). In the present study, we evaluate the present state of modelling the lightning flashes and the LNOx emissions, using a classical scheme based on cloud top height (CTH) and the model CHIMERE. We asses the impact of LNOx on tropospheric ozone (O3) concentration over the northern hemisphere (NH) through a detailed evaluation of simulated tropospheric O3. The total NO emission from lightning is estimated as 8.82 Tg N yr−1 over the NH. There is an overall increase in O3 concentration due to inclusion of LNOx. The increase is highest in the mid to upper troposphere, specifically over the tropics. The comparison of the simulated O3 to measurements shows that the inclusion of LNOx emissions substantially improves the tropospheric O3 distribution, reducing bias significantly. This is particularly true for the free troposphere over the tropical region. The LNOx emissions hence critically influence the O3 concentration as well as the concentration of hydroxyl radicals (OH). There are 15 % and 40 % increases, respectively, in O3 and OH burden as observed due to the inclusion of LNOx in model, which further impact the atmospheric lifetime of trace gas methane (CH4) by reducing it by 24 %.

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Sanhita Ghosh, Arineh Cholakian, Sylvain Mailler, and Laurent Menut

Status: open (until 17 Dec 2024)

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2024-3087', Anonymous Referee #1, 19 Nov 2024 reply
    • AC1: 'Reply on RC1', Sanhita Ghosh, 04 Dec 2024 reply
Sanhita Ghosh, Arineh Cholakian, Sylvain Mailler, and Laurent Menut
Sanhita Ghosh, Arineh Cholakian, Sylvain Mailler, and Laurent Menut

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Short summary
In the study, we estimate the emissions of nitrogen oxides from lightning (LNOx) over the northern hemisphere and study its impact on tropospheric ozone (O3). We evaluate the present state of modelling the lightning, using a classical parametrization scheme and the model CHIMERE. The comparison of the simulated O3 to measurements shows that the inclusion of LNOx emissions remarkably improves the tropospheric O3 distribution, reducing the bias significantly, particularly in the free troposphere.