Influence of the Andes on the Vertical Mixing of Ozone Above a Tropical South American Site

Results from an ozone sounding campaign launched from a high altitude station in Quito, Ecuador will be presented. The station is locaded at coordinates 0.19°S, 78.4°W, and 2391 meters above the sea level. The study time period is June 2014 to September 2015. Seasonal differences in ozone profiles between spring and summer were identified. Data in the troposphere are compactly distributed about the mean. Tropospheric ozone is generally low even though the launching site is located within a busy urban area. Profiles look well mixed from the surface up to tropopause height, which is different from what has been observed at other tropical stations. Data suggests the Andes feature a strong mechanical influence in ozone vertical mixing. Tropospheric, stratospheric, and total column ozone for the study time period will be presented.