Abstract

Tropospheric ozone (O₃) is one of the most important atmospheric constituents. It is fundamental in determining oxidation processes in the atmosphere. It also severs as a major greenhouse gas, thus playing a key role in the energy balance of the atmosphere. Recent research had revealed springti... Show moreTropospheric ozone (O₃) is one of the most important atmospheric constituents. It is fundamental in determining oxidation processes in the atmosphere. It also severs as a major greenhouse gas, thus playing a key role in the energy balance of the atmosphere. Recent research had revealed springtime ozone depletion at Arctic Sites. This evidence show that the interaction of atmospheric gases and the Polar snowpack are linked be some photochemical processes. Previous measurements made at Summit, Greenland have demonstrated that ozone is rapidly destroyed in surface snow during periods of solar irradiance. In this study, temporal and spatial changes in surface ozone from Summit, Greenland and Barrow, Alaska were studied. The goal of this project was to better understand ozone depletion and its dependence on photochemical processes in the snowpack. The diurnal and seasonal changes in surface ozone concentration and their dependence on the solar radiation and meteorological parameters were investigated. The comparison of data from Barrow and Summit gave new insight into how surface ozone is influenced by proximity to the ocean, altitude, and solar radiation. Ozone depletion during the period of polar sunrise is a consistent phenomenon at coastal location, whereas at Summit, opposite seasonal cycles with spring maxima are observed. Show less