Surface ozone over the Tibetan Plateau controlled by stratospheric intrusion

Abstract

The Tibetan Plateau is a global hotspot of stratospheric intrusion, and elevated surface ozone was observed at ground monitoring sites. Still, links between the variability of surface ozone and stratospheric intrusion at the regional scale remain unclear. This study synthesized ground measurements of surface ozone over the Tibetan Plateau and analyzed their seasonal variations. The monthly mean surface ozone concentrations over the Tibetan Plateau peaked earlier in the south in April and May and later in the north in June and July. The migration of monthly surface ozone peaks was coupled with the synchronous movement of tropopause folds and the westerly jet that created conditions conducive to stratospheric ozone intrusion. Stratospheric ozone intrusion significantly contributed to surface ozone across the Tibetan Plateau, especially in the areas with high surface ozone concentrations during their peak-value month. We demonstrated that monthly variation of surface ozone over the Tibetan Plateau is mainly controlled by stratospheric intrusion, which warrants proper consideration in understanding the atmospheric chemistry and the impacts of ozone over this highland region and beyond.