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Lightning‐Produced Nitrogen Oxides Per Flash Length Obtained by Using TROPOMI Observations and the Ebro Lightning Mapping Array

Authors :
Pérez‐Invernón, Francisco J.
Gordillo‐Vázquez, Francisco J.
Velde, Oscar
Montanyá, Joan
López Trujillo, Jesús Alberto
Pineda, Nicolau
Huntrieser, Heidi
Valks, Pieter
Loyola, Diego
Seo, Sora
Erbertseder, Thilo
Source :
Geophysical Research Letters; December 2023, Vol. 50 Issue: 24
Publication Year :
2023

Abstract

Lightning is one of the main sources of NOxin the Earth's atmosphere. However, there is a large variability in NOxproduction during the lifetime of thunderstorms. In this study, we used the TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) cloud and NO2research products along with Lightning Mapping Array (LMA) measurements to investigate the possible relation between the amount of NOxproduced per lightning flash and flash channel length in the Ebro Valley. We found that there is a positive relationship between both variables. In turn, the vertical structure of the analyzed lightning flashes indicates that longer flashes could release more LNOxat lower altitudes than shorter flashes, while higher flash rates produce less LNOxper flash. Lightning produces significant amounts of NOxin the Earth's atmosphere. However, the quantity of NOxgenerated during thunderstorms exhibits significant variation. In this study, we used a space‐based instrument called TROPOMI to look at clouds and measure NO2, and we also used a network of antennas called Lightning Mapping Array to map the spatial structure of lightning strikes. Our main goal was investigating if there is a connection between the amount of NOxproduced by lightning and how long the lightning flashes were in the Ebro Valley. We found that there is a positive relationship between the two variables. We also looked at the structure of the lightning flashes and found that longer flashes release more NOxat lower altitudes compared to shorter flashes. Additionally, when there are more frequent lightning flashes, each flash produces less NOx. Lightning Mapping Array data reveals a positive correlation between lightning NOxproduction efficiency and the lightning flash lengthsThe investigation of space‐based data demonstrates a negative correlation between lightning NOxproduction efficiency and flash frequencyMean NOxper flash length obtained in this work vary between 1.9 × 1021and 3.8 × 1021molec NOx/m Lightning Mapping Array data reveals a positive correlation between lightning NOxproduction efficiency and the lightning flash lengths The investigation of space‐based data demonstrates a negative correlation between lightning NOxproduction efficiency and flash frequency Mean NOxper flash length obtained in this work vary between 1.9 × 1021and 3.8 × 1021molec NOx/m

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
00948276
Volume :
50
Issue :
24
Database :
Supplemental Index
Journal :
Geophysical Research Letters
Publication Type :
Periodical
Accession number :
ejs65024566
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1029/2023GL104699