P2.8
WRF-Chem Evaluation of Ozone Transport and Production by Lightning and Convection over Western and Central Africa
Jonathan Smith, Howard University, Washington, DC; and G. S. Jenkins and M. C. Barth
Africa is an abundant source for global ozone which is produced by biomass burning, biogenic emissions, and NOx from lightning in convection in the central and western part of the continent. The primary goal of this study is to use the mesoscale and chemistry transport model, WRF-CHEM, to assess the vertical and horizontal transport of ozone and its tracers by convection and the lightning-produced NOx by convection over a domain of approximately 20 W to 30 E and 15 S to 30 N (Western, Central Africa and the Eastern Atlantic Ocean). This is done by examining model tracers such as black carbon or carbon monoxide. The model results will be compared to ozonesondes launched from the Ron Brown Ship during its passes by the West African Coast, Ascension Island as part of the AMMA field campaign during 2006. In addition to ozonesondes, observed cloud-to-ground lightning estimates are in this study.
Poster Session 2, Lightning Applications and Studies in the Atmospheric Sciences
Tuesday, 13 January 2009, 9:45 AM-11:00 AM, Hall 5
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