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Lightning NOx and Impacts on Air QualityLightning generates relatively large but uncertain quantities of nitrogen oxides, critical precursors for ozone and hydroxyl radical (OH), the primary tropospheric oxidants. Lightning nitrogen oxide strongly influences background ozone and OH due to high ozone production efficiencies in the free troposphere, effecting small but non-negligible contributions to surface pollutant concentrations. Lightning globally contributes 3-4 ppbv of simulated annual-mean policy-relevant background (PRB) surface ozone, comprised of local, regional, and hemispheric components, and up to 18 ppbv during individual events. Feedbacks via methane may counter some of these effects on decadal time scales. Lightning contributes approximately 1 percent to annual-mean surface particulate matter, as a direct precursor and by promoting faster oxidation of other precursors. Lightning also ignites wildfires and contributes to nitrogen deposition. Urban pollution influences lightning itself, with implications for regional lightning-nitrogen oxide production and feedbacks on downwind surface pollution. How lightning emissions will change in a warming world remains uncertain.
Document ID
20160006716
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Murray, Lee T.
(Universities Space Research Association Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
May 31, 2016
Publication Date
April 25, 2016
Publication Information
Publication: Current Pollution Reports
Publisher: Springer
Volume: 2
Subject Category
Meteorology And Climatology
Report/Patent Number
GSFC-E-DAA-TN32210
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNH15CO48B
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
Reactive nitrogen oxides
Policy-relevant background
Air quality
Lightning

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