Abstract
Three-year summertime surface atmospheric N2O concentrations were observed for the first time on the Fildes Peninsula, maritime Antarctica, and the relationships among the N2O concentration, total atmospheric O3 amount, and sunspot number were analyzed. Solar activity had an important effect on surface N2O concentration and total O3 amount, and increases of sunspot number were followed by decreases in the N2O concentration and total O3 amount. A corresponding relationship exists between the N2O concentration and total atmospheric O3, and ozone destruction was preceded by N2O reduction. We propose that the extended solar activity in the Antarctic summer reduces the stratospheric N2O by converting it into NO x , increases the diffusion of N2O from the troposphere to the stratosphere, decreases the surface atmospheric N2O, and depletes O3 via the chemical reaction between O3 and NO x . Our observation results are consistent with the theory of solar activity regarding the formation of the Antarctic O3 hole.
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Zhu, R., Sun, L., Yin, X. et al. Summertime surface N2O concentration observed on fildes Peninsula Antarctica: Correlation with total atmospheric O3 and solar activity. Adv. Atmos. Sci. 21, 204–210 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02915706
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02915706